Good sources of hardwood for an offset smoker in Minnesota?
Hey all -
Just making the transition from cooking on my WSM and pellet smoker to an offset. I'm starting to look around for good sources of quality hardwood for cooking. I was curious if any other MN members have some recommendations to look at?
Cookers:
Oklahoma Joe Offset (older thick steel version!)
Camp Chef Woodwind
OK Joe Bronco
Weber Genesis
Ooni Karu
Weber Kettle
My goal is to eventually have at least one of every style of cooker….. I have work to do. Lol!
Thermometers:
ThermoWorks Thermapen MK4
ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE
ThermoWorks Thermopop
ThermoWorks RFX
ThermoWorks IRK-2 Infrared
Maverick XR-50
TempSpike Plus
Other Gear:
Megaforce 3000 Meat Grinder
Weston 7-pound sausage stuffer
Jerky Gun for making poppers. (Game changer!)
Amaz-N-Tube
Original SnS with drip n griddle
Weber Chimney
Fuels Used:
Splits/Chunks, whatever I can get. Usually B&B competition. Favorites are Cherry, Apple, Post Oak, and Hickory.
Pellets, Lumberjack.
Charcoal, whatever is on sale. Currently have a bunch of KBB. Will eventually try B&B. Use whatever lump is on sale in my Ooni.
Propane, Blue Rhino.
Rubs:
Usually make my own riff’s on Memphis Dust and BBBR. Also use Meathead’s commercial rubs and occasionally try something new. I like a couple from Tuffy Stone and Kinder’s. After several surgeries, I’m very sensitive to “spicy” stuff, so I need to be careful about heat levels.
If you can’t find anything locally, I’ve had good luck ordering B&B Competition splits from Ace Hardware. They have all varieties of wood and while a little more expensive than being able to get it locally, they ship to store for free and I can go pick it up. I don’t know if you have an Academy Sports anywhere near by, but they usually have the same splits in stock. I used to buy from them in Texas, but the closest one to me here in Indiana is a little over an hour away. Welcome to the pit and also to the offset world! Looking forward to hearing about and seeing some of your cooks!
What’s your approximate area? Lots of homes in greater MN are still heated with wood furnaces and there are officially listed companies as well as people doing it as a side gig or retirement gig who list on Facebook marketplace or CL. The definition of a cord seems to vary wildly in my area so ask questions before you make the deal. The best is if you can find someone who processes wood and likes BBQ.
John "JR"
Minnesota/ United States of America
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Ahhh, yes. I cut my own. So I know what I am getting. However, I would look at some tree services for extra wood.
That being said. Firewood suppliers are good sources. As long as they are selling hardwoods.
That being said, I have a ton of cherry on hand that I would be willing to part with. I am just up in Minnetonka, and you are from my hometown. (Mod privileges allow me to see where you are from. ) So I will give you a good deal. PM me if you are interested. It was all cut and split in the summer of 2020, stored under cover and it is good and dry. I can bring about a face cord down to you, if you are interested. (That is 16" deep X 8 Feet X 4 Feet)
Let me know how much you are looking for and we can work something out.
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