some wood questions

[Muskoka Smoker]

Hey all, its possible im over thinking things. I have a wood lot, answers may be the difference of buying wood vs free wood.

specifically what "cherry" bbq smoke wood is preferred -

I have access to (human eating) cherry fruit wood, limited for some $
Also, Black cherry (furniture, large tree) economically bought/split/dried. or limited free on my wood lot.
lastly, Pin Cherry, (scrub tree, bird berries) this is abundant and free. It grows first very abundantly on cleared areas of wood lot.

Also, I have a tone of large free beech wood, I don't hear many bbq using beech. Thoughts ?

I have a custom smoker with large burn box. I can very easily with room left over fit four plus 15''x8'' woods onto of huge coal bed.
Is splitting wood/ logs necessary if dry ?
Is bark an issue ?
should soaking the wood ever be considered

Thx all for your thoughts in advance !

- Greg

 

[tpc74]

I'm no expert on wood species, but I think the fruitwood would be preferred over the others. I think think bark is an issue if the wood is split/dry, the bark should be dry as well. I don't think soaking would be the way to go.

Have you tried procuring some of each and just burning it, and smelling how it burns? I've found I've enjoyed more foods I have smoked or cooked directly over a fire if the medium used smells pleasant to me. Sounds simple, maybe it is this simple?

 

[chopsaw]

Also, I have a tone of large free beech wood, I don't hear many bbq using beech. Thoughts ?

I'd be all over that . I use the pellets for hams and bacon . Wish I could get splits or chunks .

 

[normanaj]

I've used beech pellets and chunks when I've found them which is rare around these parts.

 

[1MoreFord]

Any version of cherry should work. Not sure which one you will prefer.
If the stick/log is big enough you will have to split it. I would split your example at least once. Maybe twice.
Split it first thing if you want it to dry quicker.
The bark will be a non-issue. It will dry with the wood.
Never soak wood.
I've never used any beech but have heard it works.

 

[mike243]

Beech works very well, no shrubs only trees for me.

 

[JckDanls 07]

Just get enough of each species to do a cook with it... Keep notes for comparison... I don't see any species mentioned that are a real no-no...

 

[DougE]

specifically what "cherry" bbq smoke wood is preferred

I don't think you will find much meaningful difference between the wood from an orchard cultivar versus a wild cherry.

 

[Muskoka Smoker]

Thx all for your thoughts !

Ton of great points that has caused me to consider the amount of impact one smoke can vary from another. After all, its smoke.

I will experiment

As an Ontario/Canadian I guess I take sugar maple and beach for granted, so plentiful. Have only been using it for primary burn. Once I have my coals and meat goes on I was thinking I needed something "special".

Yesterday I did a short cook of a pork loin with Mulberry and cherry logs. It turned out great, but did I really feel the smoke was that different . . . not really.

-Greg