Dead Hickory?

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smokenut

Newbie
Original poster
Mar 23, 2013
5
10
Getting ready to purchase my first stick burner next week. Have been trying to get some wood to be ready to go when I get it home. I have cut some hickory but it probably will be too green to use as it was cut only a couple of months ago. I also cut up a dead hickory log that had been down awhile. It still seems hard, not rotten or crumbly but does have some signs that it has had some insects boring in the wood but they don't seem to be present now because of the cold winter weather I suppose. Is this type of wood ok to burn or should I avoid it?
 
The 2 month old stuff should be about perfect as long as you've let it dry.  Smoking wood is a bit different than seasoning wood for a fire.  You want a bit of moisture left in the wood but not sappy or moist when you cut into it.  Thats the problem with a lot of chips...... the stuff is basically dried to the bone kindling with no flavor.  Those chunks of hickory you have sound like they should smoke well and impart good flavor....... unless they're still in large log form. 
 
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