wood for making charcoal for kamado

[phoenix rising]

Let me start off with this, for what it is, charcoal is fairly expensive here... So, I was looking around, and I have most of the materials and whatnot for building a charcoal kiln. However, what I don't have is a ready source of hardwood (except elm). I'm not sure I want to use elm for making charcoal.

Now, I have some apple from pruning on our trees, but I was hoping to save that for smoking wood. What I do have a decent quantity of is caragana (which is part of the same family as desert ironwood, aka a rosewood), mountain ash, poplar, maybe aspen (not sure what the tree is exactly yet) and lilac from bushes. I might be able to buy birch and tamarac.

Would any of the above be good for making charcoal for bbq?

Thanks for your input.

 

[ddufore]

I make my own charcoal every year. The wood I use is best described as mixed hardwood. Whatever you use, make sure you use seasoned wood. I would try with what you have and then try smoking with it.