Cold Smoke Newbie from the UK

[philth]

Hi guys, I'm very new to this, my wife bought me a ProQ cold smoke generator as I'm a massive fan of Gravadlax and want to try smoking it. Also a huge fan of smoked beers so the majority of my smoking will be malted barley. I do have a question regarding my smoking chamber, after reading a few posts on here about pressure treated timber. I've bought an old second hand pine cupboard as it's the perfect size for some perforated gastronorm trays. I had planned to sand it down and treat with some butchers block conditioner. Now I'm concerned about the wood itself whether it could be pressure treated? I don't know if cabinet makers would have used pressure treated pine in the last few decades. Is there any way to tell? Can I seal it adequately to stop any toxins leaching out? Or should I err on the side of caution and go back to square one?

Cheers, Phil

 

[slavikborisov]

Hi guys, I'm very new to this, my wife bought me a ProQ cold smoke generator as I'm a massive fan of Gravadlax and want to try smoking it. Also a huge fan of smoked beers so the majority of my smoking will be malted barley. I do have a question regarding my smoking chamber, after reading a few posts on here about pressure treated timber. I've bought an old second hand pine cupboard as it's the perfect size for some perforated gastronorm trays. I had planned to sand it down and treat with some butchers block conditioner. Now I'm concerned about the wood itself whether it could be pressure treated? I don't know if cabinet makers would have used pressure treated pine in the last few decades. Is there any way to tell? Can I seal it adequately to stop any toxins leaching out? Or should I err on the side of caution and go back to square one?

Cheers, Phil

welcome from PA! i would go to raw dry kilned wood and season the inside with something that's edible and non toxic internally. i used pam oil spray but mine is steel. for your exterior i would seal again with something non toxic but interior is most important where your food is

 

[normanaj]

It would be easy to tell if I was standing there looking at it...but when in doubt
go the safe route.If cedar were available that would be ideal.

I don't know if cabinet makers would have used pressure treated pine in the last few decades.

I can only speak from experience but I have never seen interior cabinetry made from any type of PT (other than for shop/garage purposes) and I've been finishing wood for 35 years.

 

[SmokinEdge]

If you are cold smoking only which means temperatures below 80F than I see no issue at all.

 

[chef k-dude]

I've never heard of interior cabinets made of pressure treated lumber either.

 

[gmc2003]

If you are cold smoking only which means temperatures below 80F than I see no issue at all.

I don't see any issue either. As long as it stays a cold smoker, and whatever your smoking doesn't touch the PT lumber.

Chris

 

[SmokinEdge]

I don't see any issue either. As long as it stays a cold smoker, and whatever your smoking doesn't touch the PT lumber.

Chris

Agree, but cupboards and cabinets are made to store food stuff, I’ve never seen any with PT lumber.

 

[normanaj]

No disrespect to my fellow members here but the words pressure treated lumber and food don't even belong in the same sentence.

Regardless of temperature PT leeches out its chemicals over time no matter what. Call me weird but I don't want my food anywhere near that.

 

[Fueling Around]

I'm not sure what you have for old kitchen cupboard.
Good concern Phil, but the chance of pressure treated wood in kitchen cabinetry is none.
Solid wood perfect
Plyboard (plywood) questionably OK
Particle board NFW meaning a NO

Agree, but cupboards and cabinets are made to store food stuff, I’ve never seen any with PT lumber.

But they are often made from plywood and particle board which is so glue rich that I question the safety in a heated environment

No disrespect to my fellow members here but the words pressure treated lumber and food don't even belong in the same sentence.

Regardless of temperature PT leeches out its chemicals over time no matter what. Call me weird but I don't want my food anywhere near that.

See above comment.

 

[philth]

Cheers guys. After reading your comments and researching giveaways for PT wood I'm confident the cabinet I have is not PT or plywood. Back is T&G, whole thing smells very much of pine. Only chemically smelling thing is the varnish on the outside.

This isn't the cabinet I have, didn't get chance to take pictures last night but it's very similar.