Newbie Smoker With a Mesquite Question

deanoaz

Meat Mopper

Original poster

Aug 20, 2012

157

14

Peoria, Arizona

• Aug 22, 2012

• #1

I live in Arizona with a lot of mesquite trees around.  One especially large one (3-4 ft. diameter trunk) is in my front yard.  I have a tree guy coming in a day or two to do the yearly trim on it (its too big and I'm too old to try trimming it myself).  I am going to have some selective branches saved for smoking.  Does anyone know if there is there any problem with just taking some fresh, green cuttings off the tree and immediately use them in the smoker?

Deano

 

tjohnson

Smoking Guru

Moderator

OTBS Member

SMF Premier Member

Insider

Dec 29, 2009

5,600

139

Savage, MN

• Aug 22, 2012

• #2

Hey Deano

Should not be a problem

Remember, that Mesquite is VERY Strong

TJ

 

deanoaz

Meat Mopper

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 20, 2012

157

14

Peoria, Arizona

• Aug 22, 2012

• #3

I would think that the green wood would already have the moisture in it and may smoke well and burn off slower.
 

 

thsmormonsmokes

Smoking Fanatic

Dec 11, 2011

358

51

Lindon, UT

• Aug 22, 2012

• #4

What I learned in another thread is that using green wood as smoke wood over a charcoal bed is OK.  But if you're running a straight stick burner, you're going to get a lot more creosote than if you let it cure first.

 

deanoaz

Meat Mopper

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 20, 2012

157

14

Peoria, Arizona

• Aug 22, 2012

• #5

Well, I am planning on using lump charcoal in my firebox, so I guess I would be okay.

Thanks!

Deano
 

 

cliffcarter

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Feb 28, 2010

2,277

258

Old Town, Maine

• Aug 22, 2012

• #6

I have used green fruit wood(apple) with success as have others. However I would proceed with caution with the unseasoned mesquite because it has such a strong smoke. Fruit wood has a much lighter smoke, whether green or seasoned.

 

deanoaz

Meat Mopper

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 20, 2012

157

14

Peoria, Arizona

• Aug 22, 2012

• #7

Well, my plan is to use a combination of hickory and mesquite in combination (small amounts of both) during my brisket smoke, so I don't think I will be overpowering with the mesquite.  Thanks for your input.