Locust?

[j_keegan]

This is so great! Huskee - Thanks for being the first brave soul to test this out and post results. I must now conduct my own extensive taste tests as well! To the grill!

[Huskee]

Thanks guys j_keegan HouseHomey I love this kinda stuff, it's my jam. I have either 18 or 19 types of wood on hand now.

[HouseHomey]

Huskee you hear me brag (a lot of so cal peeps) about weather, Beach, many stores, abundance of things but you never hear the other side. I wish we had a better sense of community, real abundant seafood, local,farms and butchers that didn't require a loan, tree for wood etc...

the point being is it is it shows how munch you live this stuff and it comes across in your writing (as compared to my unstructured word vomit) and I dig it. We are blessed in SoCal like, year round strawberry but lack in other things.

[Huskee]

I did another test last night, locust wood v. lilac wood. This time there was a much more noticeable difference. Lilac has a slightly more bold, peppery scent. Smells really good if you ask me.

Same test as the day before, $.99/lb chicken legs, only salt. Two kettles/SnS, one medium (half-fist sized) chunk of honey locust on one, two smaller pieces of lilac on the other, which together weighed close as far as my hands could tell.

Again I used my oldest son and my wife as blind tasters.

Son: Locust wins.
Wife: after deliberation, lilac wins
Me: Locust wins.

Wife says she likes the locust but it's apparently a little too mild and it has "no attitude" (which is probably good for most BBQers, that means it's universal). I like the lilac too don't get me wrong, but I thought on the chicken legs the locust's apple-esque wood flavor fit better since I had a direct comparison.

Also on this test I tested out Heaven Made Products' Brisket Rub on a couple chicken legs...it's really good there too although a bit strong how I put it on. As an aside, that's a really good rub- I've tried it on brisket, steak, pork, and now chicken.

[Ground Chuck]

Howdy, partners! I was going to start a similar thread, but glad I searched beforehand because I found this gem. There has been no updates for 2.5 years or so. I was wondering if anyone had tried Locust in the meantime??

I was sick of paying $130 to have kiln-dried wood shipped, only to have to restock after a handful of cooks. $130 in online wood doesn't go very far. I decided to search Craigslist for a local supplier, and I'm glad I did! I had a nice fella bring me a truckload of splits yesterday, for $125. Not only did he fill up my log rack, but I had to start a whole 'nother log pile on my wife's porch. I thought she was going to kill me!

Anyway, he delivered some oak and cherry. He mentioned having hickory, so I was fine with all three of those, but didn't really have interest in locust. Well I guess he didn't have much hickory, so he brought some locust. I definitely can't complain because I got my money's worth. However, in googling Locust, I'm finding very few folk that actually recommend it. Some even claiming it is dangerous. I've also seen conflicting logic, that any hardwood will work, and it is impossible to discern between which type of woods are being used. I would imagine the difference would be very slight.

I don't want to run a bunch of bad wood through my cooker, and have that linger forever! What do you professionals think of locust. He just referred to it as locust, and then thought he had some honey locust in there. Would you assume locust to be black locust? It doesn't look black, but I can't really tell when googling. Appreciate the help, and am excited to not have to skimp on wood going forward!

[IowaGirl]

From a long discussion about how to tell honeylocust from black locust --

"...Use the black light approach. Honey locust will turn a beautiful bright yellow. The sawdust will also stand out in your shop and tell you how really dirty it is...."

Source: http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_bas...ck_Locust.html

edit -- Most of the black locust trees that grows around here in Iowa are small and scrubby. Most locust trees with any size are thornless honey locusts grown in house yards.

[Ground Chuck]

So I'm really hitting it with a black light?! Very interesting! Might have to order one today!