Wood Source

[ecowper]

I couldn't really find it anywhere else, so I stuck it here. Other than my local hardware store, which has an amazing BBQ section, any thoughts or preferences on good sources for wood chunks for the smoker?

[fuzzydaddy]

I'v ordered cherry from Fruita Wood and been happy with the chunks. http://www.fruitawoodchunks.com

I've also used bagged chunks of hickory, oak and others packaged by Western and Weber usually available at big box stores. I've also ordered from Firecraft.com.

[ecowper]

fruitawood has fairly decent prices. Be interesting to use cherry for a pork butt.

[Huskee]

+1 on Fruita wood chunks...they have a fantastic product for the price.

[CeramicChef]

ecowper - fuzzydaddy hits the nail on the head. Fruita Wood is a great smoking wood source. I highly recommend them to you.

[rat88]

I get sawmill slabs for big loads. untreated hardwood flooring scraps work good too

[ecowper]

Got it on cedar. Fruitawood sounds good. Most of the stuff I buy at the store is really not all that flavorful, to be frank. I think I'll order some and see what the difference is.

Some day my grapevines will be old enough and mature enough ....

[ribeyeguy]

I'll tell ya, I used to buy the Weber bagged stuff and could never detect much of a scent. Last year I ordered a box of Peach wood chunks from Fruita and the aroma when I opened the box literally bowled me over. Try them, you won't be disappointed.

[CeramicChef]

I have a very hard time using hardwood flooring scraps. You don't have any idea what kinds of chemicals have been used to treat the wood.

[ecowper]

My wife actually planted two grape vines because I want to try the wood for grilling steaks. It's apparently a big deal in Bordeaux in the spring. It's going to be a while before I get enough cuttings from the vines, though. And she won't let me cut down the dwarf apple tree our son planted when he was 5. So .... I have to buy my wood, dangit.

[ribeyeguy]

If I remember right Huskee has used grape vines before. Might want to hit him up for some info on them.

[Huskee]

I use the larger parts of grapevine wood, not the thin canes as is popular for steaks. Meathead has a video where he lights a large pile of canes and lets it burn down to coals and then cooks over them.

[ecowper]

I know a couple winemakers. Gonna see if I can get one of their old grape vines to turn into chunks for smoking.

[scottranda]

I made friends with my father in law fruit trees in the back yard!

[ecowper]

Darn, why didn't I arrange to have a father-in-law with fruit trees in the backyard?

[Huskee]

Hind sight

[BigBear]

Rather have a father-in-law that owned a liquor store.

[ecowper]

How about a liquor store, fruit trees in the backyard, and a good looking daughter? I managed to get 1 out of 3.

[ribeyeguy]

Here's a link to the various smoking woods:

http://www.deejayssmokepit.net/Woods.htm

[Spinaker]

Orchards are great place to get wood from. We have tons of trimmings and whole trees that, unfortunately, don't make it though the tough Minnesota winter. When I help out getting the orchard ready in the spring, there is always wood around for the taking.

Or do what I did when I noticed a 65 Ft Cherry in a stand of hardwood by the old mans place.........Cut the SOB down!!!

[vandy]

Try going to a local tree service, they usually save the wood from trees they have cut down or trimmed. That is where I buy my wood, I can get hickory, oak, apple, peach or just about anything else, they sell in pallets or by the bag which is 20 lb bags.

[Spinaker]

Always a good move.

[ecowper]

that's great advice, actually.

[DWCowles]

ecowper if you just want wood chunks than www.fruitawoodchunks.com is your best bet

[ecowper]

I'm going to try them out. There's also a company shipping red oak from California that I want to try, specifically for cooking Tri-TIp.

[Reds Fan 5]

I find the Western chunks to be stronger than Weber chunks and tend to use those. I order from Amazon. Home Depot now carries large bags of Kingsford wood chunks. Anyone have experience with those? I use apple, oak, and hickory. I see a lot of you use cherry. Is it strong or mild?

[DWCowles]

Cherry is a mild sweet flavor

[Spinaker]

Cherry is awesome.

[Huskee]

Meathead frequently mentions a great point for pondering...How do you know those bags (even Weber branded) are actually the wood they say? Picture an $8/hr employee filling those bags late on a Friday, you think they're paying super close attention to what's what? You can't trust you're getting what you think with cheap bags from the big stores. Best to get it from a reliable source, whether online or in person. If you live in an area where there are Amish sawmills, or any sawmill for that matter, they'll often sell hardwood scrap wood bundles the size of a car for real cheap. Or just order a small load of oak firewood if there are firewood delivery services in your area (common in the northern states with winter).

[Spinaker]

Thats why I cut my own!! I know what I'm splitting.

[fuzzydaddy]

Great point Huskee. My future purchases will all be from Fruita unless I find a reliable local source, but I can't store much (no room) so probably Cherry, Pecan and Hickory. At least that's what I'm thinking today!

[CandySueQ]

Okay, ribeyeguy, I'd be nervous if my just ordered wood came in with an aroma! Properly dried wood does not have an odor. If it does, it's been sprayed with something to make it smell. Ain't natural!

Check out Vaughn Wood! I ordered a box of their grapevine chunks and they are awesome, about fist sized!http://www.vaughnwoodproducts.com

[ecowper]

Huskee I like their prices. I think I'm going to order a box of apple wood gourmet chunks and see how they are. I wonder if I can get them before July 4th?

Thinking that the smaller chunks are just fine for me. Any reason that I will regret not having the 3" chunks?

[Huskee]

ecowper Personally I don't think so, if you want more smoke flavor next time add twice as many of the smaller chunks! I like fist sized chunks myself for low and slow smokes, but with small ones you have more options. It's great to have a variety.

[ecowper]

Huskee Hmmmmm, maybe I'll order a box of each. So far my wife has not told me no. :-)

[Huskee]

ecowper Also, I don't know about their shipping without looking them up, but I'm sure CandySueQ can answer that. I know Fruita ships priority mail on smaller boxes so you'd be looking at possibly 2- 3 days, not counting weekends, with them. Perhaps Vaughn has similar shipping.

[fuzzydaddy]

Here's a link to Meathead's article on Wood Suppliers to take a look at.

[ecowper]

awesome, thanks