2 quick wood questions ????

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got14u

Master of the Pit
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OTBS Member
SMF Premier Member
Oct 12, 2008
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WYOMING
I think i know the answer to the first one. but would like to hear if anyone has a opinion.

1. Crabapple for smoking? good or bad

2. My uncle swears that his dad and uncle back in canada and oregon smoked with willow back in the day? Any info would be great ?
 
My mom had us cut down two weeping willows when I was a kid and we burned them in the fire place. It smelled like burning urine. I would not want to try it.
 
Now if he said it tasted like burned urine, I'm afraid I'd have to ask some questions
biggrin.gif
 
Willow contains/naturally produces salicylic acid which is where we got the idea for aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). Humans have been using willow bark as medicine for ages. It's been recorded in 5 BC by Mr. Doctor's Oath himself, Hippocrates.

Most of the salicin is contained in the bark so I definitely wouldn't use that part. IMO, I personally wouldn't smoke with willow because it could go either way. Very bad: some people are deathly allergic to salicylic acid/aspirin or perhaps it just produces some nasty stuff I don't know enough about. Or Very good: drink copious amounts while smoking your meat, eat good grub, and then your headaches and soreness disappears!

For what it's worth, that's what I know about willow. Nothing about using it to smoke.
 
You need to find red willow for smoking. This wood works just fine. You will be amazed at the sweet flavour it imparts in meat and fish. You DO NOT want to use Weeping Willow. This is and ornamental tree and totally different from the red willow. I don't know what type of flavour this wood gives, but it is not the same as the red variety.

Hope this helps.
 
You need to find red willow for smoking. This wood works just fine. You will be amazed at the sweet flavour it imparts in meat and fish. You DO NOT want to use Weeping Willow. This is and ornamental tree and totally different from the red willow. I don't know what type of flavour this wood gives, but it is not the same as the red variety.

Hope this helps.
Both weeping willow and red willow are non native trees used as ornamentals, red willow is a sub-species of white willow. Willow is on the list of smoking woods but which willow trees are suitable is not stated. If you've got access to crab apple, use it and don't take a chance on something you are not sure of. JM2C 
 
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