first time using wood for heat

[smokedad]

I normally use charcoal for heat when I smoke, but I am going to start using wood soon. I got some apple and maple wood from a friend who had their trees trimmed, so I had some questions on what to do with it for smoking. I have read that it is best to split the wood and let it dry for a few months at least so I will do that.

Are pieces of wood that are too small to split any good for flavor?

Can you get the heat built up with a wood like ash, then use oak, apple, etc, for flavor? Once the heat is up to the temp you want, do you need to use the flavor wood exclusively during the smoke, or does it depend on what types of wood you are using?

Does it matter what size the split pieces are?

Thanks for any help.

 

[motolife313]

Depends on the size of your smoker and how well it holds heat. Oak burns hot so does apple. Start small and go from there. Give it time to let the heat build up before dumping bunch of splits on. I like to use 2x3 pieces or smaller in my smoker but that's my smoker. I use only wood and have never had charcoal in my fire box. Your wood pry won't catch fire tho if it's only couple months seasoned unless it's split really thin. Needs to be pretty seasoned if u wanna run it in a smallish smoker because the fire won't be that big. I cut the pieces about 8" long or less in a wood saw too, that way u can through more smaller pieces on vs a big piece. It's pretty easy to do just takes little practice. Have fun

U can get the smoker very very hot with wood