I live along the Gulf Coast of Texas. We have a lot of Water Oaks here, from what I have read they are a type of red oak. Anyone know if water oak is OK to use for smoking?
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Water oak?
Collapse
X
-
Got a neighbor who thinks he knows everything? Tell him that you heard it was newest rage and give him some to try. Ask him about it in a couple of weeks.
- Likes 2
Comment
-
We have Northern Red Oak and Water Oak on our property. As you know, both are red oaks but the water oak grows in wetter areas and has much more water content than the standard reds. It seems to take a lot longer to dry out and one of our county’s "Tree Police," (Yep, a feature of living on the Eastern Shore of Maryland) told me that because it is faster growing the actual wood structure is not as dense as regular red oaks. When first cut down it has a funky smell which should go away with enough time drying out. I use our Northern Red Oak for cooking and give my kids the water oak for campfires, fireplaces and such. Now all this might only apply to water oaks grown here by our saltwater bays and marshes so it could a totally different experience when grown other places.
- Likes 2
Comment
-
Moderator
- Nov 2014
- 13686
- Land of Tonka
-
John "J R"
Instagram: JRBowlsby
Smokin' Hound Que
Minnesota/ United States of America
********************************************
Grills/Smokers/Fryers
Big Green Egg (Large) X3
Blackstone 36" Outdoor Griddle 4-Burner
Burch Barrel V-1
Karubeque C-60
Kamado Joe Jr. (Black)
Lodge L410 Hibachi
Pit Barrel Cooker
Pit Barrel Cooker 2.0
Pit Barrel PBX
R&V Works FF2-R-ST 4-Gallon Fryer
*******************************************.
Thermometers
FireBoard (Base Package)
Thermoworks ThermaPen (Red)
Thermoworks MK4 (Orange)
*********************************
Accessories
Big Green Egg Plate Setter
Benzomatic TS4000 Torch X 2
Benzomatic TS800 High Temp Torch X 2
Bayou Classic 44 qt Stainless Stock Pot
Bayou Classic 35K BTU Burner
Digi Q DX2 (Medium Pit Viper Fan)
Dragon VT 2-23 C Torch
Eggspander Kit X2
Field Skillet No. 8,10,12
Finex Cat Iron Line
FireBoard Drive
Lots and Lots of Griswold Cast Iron
Grill Grates
Joule Water Circulator
KBQ Fire Grate
Kick Ash Basket (KAB) X4
Lots of Lodge Cast Iron
Husky 6 Drawer BBQ Equipment Cabinet
Large Vortex
Marlin 1894 .44 Magnum
Marquette Castings No. 13 (First Run)
Smithey No. 12
Smokeware Chimney Cap X 3
Stargazer No.10, 12
Tool Wizard BBQ Tongs
Univex Duro 10" Meat Slicer
********************************
Fuel
FOGO Priemium Lump Charcoal
Kingsford Blue and White
B&B Charcoal
Apple, Cherry & Oak Log splits for the C-60
*************************************************
Cutlery
Buck 119 Special
Cuda 7' Fillet Knife
Dexter 12" Brisket Sword
Global
Shun
Wusthof
**********
Next Major Purchase
Lone Star Grillz 24 X 48 Offset
I would think it would be just fine. I burn red oak in my smokers all the time. No issues, good flavor.
- Likes 2
Comment
-
I invested a small fortune in Post oak (white oak) a while back. The fella had a giant trailer full of it, from north Texas. I asked, is the rest of that going to Rudy's (we have the original Rudy's)? He says, nope, Rudy's uses only red oak. I have cords of red oak, both Spanish and Live.
- Likes 1
Comment
-
Club Member
- Oct 2019
- 460
- LA (Lower Alabama - Gulf Coast)
-
Pits/Grills:
Wood burners:LSG 20 x 42 offsetCharcoal:
LSG 24 x 48 Adjustable
Watchman
Fire pitsPK 360Kamados:
PK 300 (at camp)
Weber
Custom park grill (at camp)Big Joe IIIGas:
Big Green Egg lg
Grill Dome lg (at camp and it sucks!)Modern Home Products WNKYakatori: Konro XL
RecTeq Matador w/WOK
Blackstsones (at home & camp)
Electronics/Tools:
FireBoard - Original, II, and Spark
Fans - Pit Viper, Pit Bull, FireBoard
Temp measurement - Thermapens (all), DOT, timers, . . .
KJ rotisseries (L and XL)
Lots of cast iron, woks, etc.
GrillGrates® and SearMagic®
Sous Vide Water Immersion Oven
Kindling crackers (at home & camp), axes - Gransfor, other favs
Just like most everyone here, a lot of other stuff!
Water oak is fine for smoking. Like all oaks, it should be seasoned. My son used it exclusively for years.
The term "Water" in its name doesn't imply that it is full of water. It implies that it can grow in moist and swampy environments.
Auburn University, one of the South’s largest universities, is a leader in arts and applied science education, and it brings a tradition of spirit to the responsive career preparation it offers.
- Likes 1
Comment
-
Club Member
- Dec 2018
- 3628
- SE Texas
-
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." ~Benjamin Franklin
Thanks everyone, I figured it would be OK but would need to be seasoned longer. I get mixed opinions from the locals but I'll give it a try. If it isn't that great I'll use it in the fire pit.
- Likes 3
Comment
-
- Likes 4
Comment
-
Interesting. According to this chart water oak has about the same moisture as red oak. Most of the smoking wood used around here is red oak with hickory. I'm guessing the percentages are calculated as a water weight verses solids weight or before and after drying weights - meaning that there may be more water than wood in some tree species. I would have to see any notes published with the chart to know how they came up with the numbers.
-
Don has it right on the percentage moisture content. BTW, here's an interesting article on seasoned firewood. https://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/view...=utk_agexfores
- 3 likes
-
Club Member
- Dec 2018
- 3628
- SE Texas
-
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." ~Benjamin Franklin
One of my friends who is a competition barbecuer told me this evening that he thinks that water oak does not give as much smokey flavor during long smokes so he uses it for shorter cooks. Other than that he thinks it is an OK wood. My business partner is about to take down two water oaks on his property so I may end u with a couple of cords of it which is why I asked about it.
- Likes 1
Comment
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Comment