skip to main content

Cooking Outdoors

Using Firewood for your Smoker Q

11 years ago

Has anyone ever smoked on your smoker with firewood? I thought about using some wood that blew off my trees during the last few storms. I have soft and hard maple trees and some elm. I also thought about buying the firewood bundles at the grocery. The wood chips I get at the home depot stores just don't last long. Surely if I used seasoned split firewood it would last a lot longer than those small chips they sell. Anyone have an opinion?

Comments (6)

Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
11 years ago
When using wood for a fire, I prefer if it came from my yard. I'm not that good at recognizing wood just by appearance but when it came from one of our trees, I know which. Oak and pecan are delightful for grilling/smoking, but apple and fig are my favorites of the woods we've tried.
shellie911
11 years ago
Awesome! I just learned something new!!!
Related Discussions
The Smoker is Done, and it works!!!!
Q
Comments (10)
Along with oldcrafty.... thank YOU for giving all of US a great story, many of us have been the working end of WE, and can chuckle along with the story. When the long winter ends and the days of pride begin, veterens day, 4th of July, Memorial etc, YOU and YOURS will feel the pride and love you have put into that wonderful smoker,... thanks for building it with all those friends and sharing it with us...hugsssss ginnyp
...See More
Is seasoned firewood related to seasoned BBQ/Smoking wood?
Q
Comments (8)
You did recognize my question and addressed my concern as to when does wood loose its value as firewood and BBQ/Smoking wood. I have tried to pay attention and rotate my wood and burn the oldest first. With a harvest of 3 of 4 cords green last winter, that put me in good shape. In the past at my grandparent's they had the choice to cut standing wood timing it to their need vs me finding wood that is cut or dead and need cutting as I am notified of I spot it. Last, A Twist To BBQing! The best BBQ in town is flavored with green Hickory as soon as it hits the ground from Oklahoma. Gas is used for heating in large insulated custom built rotisserie oven/grills and a small amount of green hickory is used with rubs for flavoring. Also a friend was advised to burned seasoned oak for heat at his business vs expensive cords of seasoned hickory and add a small piece of green hickory the last 30-45 minutes of the cooking. I have tried their method using their personal small piece of hickory and rub with no luck compared to their quality. My best flavor and quality comes from mixing seasoned pecan (2 small sticks) and mesquite (1 small stick) on charcoals (6 lbs) to get even heat and their rub. loger
...See More
Need help from smokers
Q
Comments (26)
We almost always have leftovers of anything we do. So the freezer gets an accumulation of poor man's vac bags (fill zip lock, straw, suck, zip) of pulled pork, brisket, wings, bacon explosions slices, etc. Then, every now and then, it is clear out the freezer day and the meal is all thse assorted bits of bbq/smoker product with slaw, potato salad and (hopefully) corn on the cob. Like Chase, there is generally a couple or three of different sauces. We heat the sauces up and serve in bowls, you just take a chunk of whatever Q is on the platter, swipe it through the sauce of choice and go from there. We call it the BBQ Buffet and if I mention we are having it all the kids, their friends and a couple of our adult friends start angling to be there.
...See More
Wireless meat thermometer for smoker/grill
Q
Comments (8)
Here are videos showing the factory assembling components into Thermapens. I don't know if they have the facilities to manufacture any components. I assume all the other products they sell are all imported. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvP0GXD3fcI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gspPLB4B1KY And this is from their WEB site: "ThermoWorks ----------- While a few of our products are manufactured here, many are made for us by partner factories in Europe, Asia and the USA. Most of our in-house staff is engaged in marketing, technical support, product definition, design, and operations. -----------" Thermapen is a very good product. I have one. I also have one I bought on ebay 15 years ago for $2.00. It is still working fine. Slower, but same accuracy as Thermapen. Amazingly, the same one is still selling on ebay, but inflation! $2.78 now!!!! dcarch
...See More
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
11 years ago
Cool. Welcome to Gardenweb, Shellie!
shellie911
11 years ago
Thank you so much for the welcome!!! I do appreciate it!
Nunyabiz1
10 years ago
I usually buy various wood CHUNKS not chips of Mesquite, Hickory, Cherry, Apple woods.
Many years ago when I was in Southern California I was able to get Grape Vine cuttings that was really nice for flavor also.

About the only trees we have near us is Pine which is unusable for smoking.
But bags of wood Chunks last quite awhile and it is nice to have the selection of various flavors, plus the wood is nicely dried and just the right size.

I buy a Lump Charcoal from our local grocery store that is made for them by a place called "Nature's Grilling" it is a perfect blend of good hardwoods.
"Ebony, Limoncillo, Tenaza, Hueso de tigre, Mezquite" woods in nice large lumps, last a long time, starts easy, burns at up to 900 degrees and its cheap to boot, I usually get a 6.6lb bag for $4.50.

I then add a few chunks of the aforementioned hardwood chunks to give off copious amounts of smoke for whatever flavor profile I am looking to get.
Although the charcoal all by itself is quite nice.

Here is a link that might be useful: Harris Teeter (Natures Grilling) charcoal
sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
10 years ago
I only use firewood for grilling and smoking. You need lots of sizes and small 'splits'. Slivers and chunks. Very small learning curve getting to know the wood you are using and the heat it produces and how well seasoned it is. I'll be smoking a bit next week being on holiday...
chickens, ribs, pork shoulder, lamb sausage....may even rig a 'cold' box to smoke some cheese!

The method does take a bit more tending but i don't mind as it is free. Important to start a good fire at least an hour ahead to get a nice even steady heat bed of coals.

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

MONTHLY HOME CHECKLISTS September Checklist for a Smooth-Running Home

By Laura Gaskill

Get ready to get cozy at home with snuggly blankets, well-stocked firewood, added insulation and more

KITCHEN DESIGN Why Your Kitchen Wants Its Own iPad

Cooking-school gateway, recipe database, foodie networking ... an iPad in the kitchen has uses far beyond being a message center

KITCHEN DESIGN Design Your Perfect Outdoor Kitchen

By Vanessa Brunner

Cook outside in style with ideas from 16 great outdoor entertaining spaces

OUTDOOR KITCHENS Your Guide to Grills and More for Great Outdoor Cooking

By Laura Gaskill

Learn the pros and cons of gas versus charcoal grills, and about neat add-ons that let you do more

KITCHEN DESIGN Pro Chefs Dish on Kitchens: Paul Kahan Shows His Urban Sanctuary

By KitchenLab Interiors

Peek inside Kahan's newly redone home kitchen and learn what he considers most important for a cooking space

REMODELING GUIDES Clean-Burning Woodstoves Ignite a Greener Heating Trend

By Laura Gaskill

No need to rely on oil or gas to heat your home — new woodstove designs burn cleanly and are beautiful to boot

LIFE You Showed Us: 20 Nutty Home Fixes

By Becky Harris

We made the call for your Band-Aid solutions around the house, and you delivered. Here's how you are making what's broken work again

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Remodel Your Fireplace

By Mitchell Parker

Bring your fireplace design up to snuff with this makeover lowdown

FEEL-GOOD HOME 9 Ways to Boost Your Home’s Appeal for Less Than $75

By Propia Limited

Whether you’re selling your home or just looking to freshen it up, check out these inexpensive ways to transform it

MOST POPULAR 13 Upgrades to Make Over Your Outdoor Grill Area

By Laura Gaskill

Kick back on your patio or deck with a grill that focuses on fun as much as function

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Franklin County's Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

More Discussions

outdoor pizza oven experiences

4