Should you use firewood??

graphicsman · May 25, 2011

I was wondering is it ok to use left over wood from the winter?? Its cut wood, but i do not know what type and it has been in my wood stack since Feb. I have so much of it i thought it would be a good idea to use it this memorial day. BUT im cautious since i have never seen someone do it. I usually use Home Depot hickory wood.

alblancher · May 25, 2011

Just make sure it is hard wood. Any type of oak, pecan, hickory fruitwood is good for smoking. You can post a pic of the wood and I am sure someone on the forum will recognize it

graphicsman · May 25, 2011

thanks, i will post when i get off work

flash · May 25, 2011

I would think you are OK. Most don't use sap woods like Pine in the Fireplace. I only have Oak and Cherry or Pecan wood here to use in Fireplace and you can be dang sure the Cherry and Pecan only see the Smoker.

sawzall · May 30, 2011

I use firewood all the time but only because I know exactly what kind of wood it is. I get all the birch firewood I want for free from my neighbor who uses it for heat in the winter. It's cut and seasoned, kept under cover. Works beautifully! If you can't identify the wood I wouldn't use it. Usually, firewood is from trees local to your region so if you don't have much for common hardwoods used for smoking in your region I would be very cautious as some wood smoke can be harmful or even poisonous. When I lived in the Rockies, wood heat was the norm and it was all from evergreen trees like pine, fir and spruce so depending on where you live you could have totally unsuitable firewood.

graphicsman · Jun 1, 2011

graphicsman · Jun 1, 2011

picture of wood:

rowdyrawhide · Jun 1, 2011

which area of of the country/world are you from?

graphicsman · Jun 1, 2011

Nashville, TN????

daveomak · Jun 1, 2011

The one chunk looks like Cedar. The others look like Maple?? . Definitely looks like a hard wood??

But....what do I know....I'm from Washington ???

Bearcarver · Jun 1, 2011

I agree ---The one looks like Cedar.

I can only tell boards. Some guys can tell you by the bark.

Around here, if it's in your firewood, and you bought it, it better be hardwood, or the fur is gonna fly.

Most of mine is Poplar & Oak, and a little Cherry & Maple.

Graphicsman---Could you put "Nashville, TN" in your Profile, so we don't have to ask you all the time?

Thanks,

Bear

graphicsman · Jun 2, 2011

updated, so if im understanding it you guys would run with it??

chef willie · Jun 2, 2011

nobody has committed to saying 'run with it'..lol....and don't ask me, I'm from NYC and never saw a tree until much later on in life

graphicsman · Jun 2, 2011

i know thats why i was wondering YES or NO, lol

michael ark · Jun 2, 2011

The one lone piece looks like Burch buy the bark.The rest is red oak.I have 2 rick of it outside.Just make sure you get all vines off it poison Ive grows here and their and can be spread by smoke.I live less than 60 miles from memphis.We share the same hardwoods.

Bearcarver · Jun 2, 2011

Chef Willie said:
nobody has committed to saying 'run with it'..lol....and don't ask me, I'm from NYC and never saw a tree until much later on in life

Now THAT'S FUNNY !!!

Bearcarver · Jun 2, 2011

graphicsman said:
i know thats why i was wondering YES or NO, lol

Michael could be one of those guys like I mentioned, who can tell the wood type by the bark---I can't.

I also can't tell by looking at the end grain.

I need to see the board, so I can't confirm anything here.

Sorry,

Bear

michael ark · Jun 2, 2011

I was rasied choping wood all sumer .For the winter.I'm 100% sure on this .My wife grandpa calls it a blackjack oak it puts off smaller acorns than regular oak.Run with it.I use a trim saw to cut down peices like yours to fit my smoker .You can save the dust off it to cause no bar oil.

Just get some lump to start it .Unless you have weed burner.I learned barks for deer hunting .Deer around here hit acorns really hard.Gods food plot.

mdboatbum · Jun 2, 2011

Yup, I'd say it's mostly oak from the looks of the bark. Of course I'm from DC, so take that with a grain of salt :) It's definitely not softwood though, except maybe that piece in the middle. My favorite BBQ joint down south uses all oak and puts out some of the best 'Q I've ever eaten. It gives a very subtle nondescript smoke flavor while letting the flavor of the meat shine. Let us know what happens.

rowdyrawhide · Jun 2, 2011

I was thinking oak as well, which was the reason I ask for your region. It may or may not vary from region, but I cut a lot of oak for firewood. Never smoked with it, but a lot of people of do.

Should you use firewood??

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