Just got a bunch of Lychee wood!

[justwannasmoke]

I need to know a couple things so I thought I would ask on here. I just got a lot of Lychee wood that was just cut down, what do I need to do with it before I use it to smoke with. And also is this a good wood for smoking. If so what meats are recommended?

 

[mark66]

I just read this somewhere else  "It is a fruit wood that has a very nice and refreshing "berry". I say use it, but only do something like a couple of chicken parts to see how it reacts and see if it works or not."

 

[dirtsailor2003]

You'll want to remove the bark. Then you'll want to season the wood, let it dry out. Depending on the humidity and the size of the pieces that can take some time. During that time you'll want lots of air flow around the wood and you need to keep it dry so mold doesn't form.

 

[welshrarebit]

I've heard of people using it here in Hawaii but I've never tried it before. I did have a tree in my yard but it died.

 

[justwannasmoke]

I love the fruit so hopefully the smoke will be as equally rewarding. Any ideas on how long to dry it? I have it on a grate bottom trailer so it's not sitting on the ground, but I am in Florida and it's been raining slot(every freakin day)I literally picked it up today. Went to get longans from her and seen she had thinned out her lychees. I have branches from 2" to 6" in diameter up to 10' long. There's still more there, Should I get the rest? I know so many questions but I'm just excited about doing different things. Thanks for the help guys!

 

[justwannasmoke]

I love the fruit so hopefully the smoke will be as equally rewarding. Any ideas on how long to dry it? I have it on a grate bottom trailer so it's not sitting on the ground, but I am in Florida and it's been raining slot(every freakin day)I literally picked it up today. Went to get longans from her and seen she had thinned out her lychees. I have branches from 2" to 6" in diameter up to 10' long. Theree

 

[justwannasmoke]

Thank you Welsh,Dirty sailor, and Mark for the input. The bark seems pretty thin do I need to remove it before I dry it? And how should I do that?

 

[welshrarebit]

If the bark is thin I wouldn't bother taking it off. I don't take the bark off of most of my smoke wood; the only exception is ohia wood because it's real easy to get off and it's kinda thick bark.

Does she have rambutan as well?

 

[justwannasmoke]

Not sure what all she has there, there's a lot of uncommon fruits. What does it look like, is it a fruit ?

 

[welshrarebit]

Rambutan is closely related to lychee and longan. It has a similar fruit but it looks way cool because the fruit has like furry barbs; reminds me of the scratchy side of Velcro.

http://parade.condenast.com/21904/linzlowe/what-the-heck-is-a-rambutan-and-how-do-you-eat-it/