Almond vs Walnut vs Pecan

[Smoker4x4]

I was wondering if any of you ever tried using almond or walnut wood in your offset or Weber smoker and how is the flavor and smell? Does you compare to pecan or oak?

I've read that almond wood is a light sweet smoke, where as walnut is a stronger bitter flavor, I was wondering if this is true? Of course, taking into consideration the specific type of food that was cooked with that wood i.e. beef vs poultry vs fish.

The people on the forum below give walnut a big NO!

Can I smoke with walnut tree wood?

Well I have a few small trees that will be coming down. Is walnut a good wood to smoke with and I'm not sure if it is black or English walnut. Thanks

www.bbq-brethren.com

 

[crazzycajun]

Have tried almond pellets very light and pleasant smoke similar to pecan, sorry haven’t tried walnut

 

[chopsaw]

I'd be a no on Walnut . Never used it for smoking , but cutting it in the workshop it puts off a nasty smell .

 

[mr_whipple]

Have tried almond pellets very light and pleasant smoke similar to pecan, sorry haven’t tried walnut

Ditto. The almond came in a combo deal with two bags of plum from knotty wood I think. They did have a very nice smoke to them... actually now that I think about it, I don't think I ever used them. The plum pellets caused me some grief and I think I tossed them along with.

 

[jcam222]

Most of what I have read on using walnut wood is that it's very bitter and overly strong. I've also heard some say there are acids in it not so good to eat. Not sure if true.

 

[DougE]

Black walnut is no good for smoking but is English walnut ok? I don't have an answer, and have never seen a comparison between the two different walnut species.

 

[Fueling Around]

We tossed our walnut cutting board when the kids were very young. Read somewhere that walnut is mildly toxic

 

[chopsaw]

We tossed our walnut cutting board when the kids were very young. Read somewhere that walnut is mildly toxic

There's a conversation in woodworking forums to not use walnut in cutting boards . I have done it . Most of what I see is because of nut allergies . I really don't know one way or the other , but I think there is some merit to it . From running it in the shop , I would never smoke with it .
I personally have no issue in cutting boards , but that all depends too .

 

[Fueling Around]

There's a conversation in woodworking forums to not use walnut in cutting boards . I have done it . Most of what I see is because of nut allergies . I really don't know one way or the other , but I think there is some merit to it . From running it in the shop , I would never smoke with it .
I personally have no issue in cutting boards , but that all depends too .

Hard to pass when you are looking for the contrasting colors.
In hind sight I'm happy the board went away. Discovered many years later my daughter has a significant walnut allergy. Carries an Epi-pen because of it and the places that use walnut in food such as pancakes on the same flat top as plain cakes.
Hard to make my wife do it as the board was made by her uncle.