Question on hickory wood for smoking

[Winch]

Hi,

New member here with a question on using hickory for smoking pork butts. Can I use small limbs with tight bark attached or should I stick with pieces split from larger log (with no bark). I think I've used both in the past and didn't notice much of a difference. I just cut down a few shag bark hickory trees and I will cut the logs into sections to dry for a year or more. I cut up the little limbs that are 1 - 4 inch diameter into 12 inch lengths either to give to my daughter for her fire pit or to use for the smoker when dry.

Opinions?

 

[gmc2003]

Yes, I often use apple limbs that are smallish in size. I pull any of the loose bark off, because I don't think it gives the same smokey flavor to the meat. More of a bittery taste coming from loose bark I've noticed.

Chris

 

[phatbac]

I have used wood with bark and not really noticed a difference. as far as the branch wood it would easier size for the fire you want. as long as its dry you should be ok.

Happy Smoking,
phatbac (Aaron)

 

[chopsaw]

Small limbs work great . I remove the bark from larger pieces , however the bark from shag bark hickory works well by itself .

 

[tx smoker]

as long as its dry you should be ok.

Based on everything I've read and more than a couple cooks under my belt, this is seemingly an accurate statement. As long as it's good and dry, you're fine

Robert