Firewood in smoker

[mdboatbum]

I think I can guess the type of responses I'm gonna get, but I'll ask anyway. Is there any real reason NOT to use firewood (local mixed hardwoods, mostly oak) in a stick burner? I recently got a second hand Oklahoma Joe's Highland and burned through about $60 worth of "smoking splits" in about 4 cooks. Thing is, I don't really have space to store another wood pile specifically for the smoker and don't really feel like paying ridiculous prices for specialty wood. I've used the firewood several times now and as far as I know I haven't suffered any ill effects. Flavor is just fine. I typically pick out choice pieces of oak or cherry, cut them in half crosswise, then split lengthwise, yielding 4 10" mini splits per 20" log. I get my firewood from a local tree guy for a pretty good price per cord and have thus far been very happy with the results in the smoker.

I'll put up a post of the new smoker soon, I've been extremely happy with it, and Hank approves. He's just turned 9 months and is nearly 85 pounds.

 

[Gonna Smoke]

They're one and the same around here, no difference, as long as it's oak, hickory, etc. Good looking pup...

Edit to add that my splits for smoking will be smaller than firewood...

 

[smokerjim]

When I used my stick burner I just used what I had around my property, maple,apple, ash, oak basically just about anything but pine.

 

[mdboatbum]

Mine when cut and split are 1/4 the size of a standard fireplace sized log. If I add 1 every 35-45 minutes I can maintain 225-250, if I add 2 every 35-45 minutes I can maintain 250-275.

 

[chopsaw]

Is there any real reason NOT to use firewood (local mixed hardwoods, mostly oak) in a stick burner?

When I had my offset , that's what I used . Mostly red oak . Some hickory .
I still grab a hunk and cut it into chunks for the Kettles .

 

[ifitsdeadsmokeit]

I just burn small splits. Get free oak hickory and apple. The small splits catch fire easier and burn more even to limit temp spikes. I heat them on top of firebox.

 

[texomakid]

My place is coved in oaks. One of the reasons I need to get a stick burner again. I have an endless supply of post oak for my cooker. I worked at a processing plant that smoked bacon, hams, & Turkeys. They simply went to a local sawmill and bought their sawdust. I'm sure it was mostly oaks & Pecan. It made great smoke flavor.

What a beautiful pup!!!! Hank!!!!

 

[philpom]

Unless I'm looking for something specific that's all I do, buy "firewood" and split it down. I do look for oak, mostly post oak around here.

 

[luvcatchingbass]

Sounds like you got the right plan to me. Only time I buy "Smoker Wood" is B&B in varieties I we don't have up here like Pecan and Cherry. Got all kinds of oak and ash around the farm, have had very good results over the years with ash

 

[Fueling Around]

Mine when cut and split are 1/4 the size of a standard fireplace sized log. If I add 1 every 35-45 minutes I can maintain 225-250, if I add 2 every 35-45 minutes I can maintain 250-275.

Wood is wood.
Reads as you have the basic temp control of your burner figured out.

Sounds like you got the right plan to me. Only time I buy "Smoker Wood" is B&B in varieties I we don't have up here like Pecan and Cherry. Got all kinds of oak and ash around the farm, have had very good results over the years with ash

I love ash for a neutral flavor. People curse it, but I love flavor from Box Elder

 

[in. pred]

main reason would be contaminates. if you know where it comes from no difference imo. i also use wood from the property or friends. you dont want it from field or road edge or anywhere contaminates are heavier. sure dont want to smoke with a tree killed with Tordon or something!

 

[luvcatchingbass]

Wood is wood.
Reads as you have the basic temp control of your burner figured out.

I love ash for a neutral flavor. People curse it, but I love flavor from Box Elder

I got no shortage of Box Elder around either, just haven't messed with it yet. At some point I mean to cut, split and season some out for testing. I just have so much better options that I normally just clean up the messes of the boxelders and into the burn piles.

 

[Fueling Around]

I got no shortage of Box Elder around either, just haven't messed with it yet. At some point I mean to cut, split and season some out for testing. I just have so much better options that I normally just clean up the messes of the boxelders and into the burn piles.

Box Elder or ash leafed maple is the only native tree to North America