Barbecue (alt.food.barbecue) Discuss barbecue and grilling--southern style "low and slow" smoking of ribs, shoulders and briskets, as well as direct heat grilling of everything from burgers to salmon to vegetables.

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Default Got some hickory and apple wood. Now what?


"ceed" > wrote in message
newsp.vwyrcddl74icqb@christian-n80vb...
> Hi,
>
> I've always been using lump in my cast iron offset barrel smoker. Looks
> like this: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/13631571/070504_%230004.jpg . However,
> a friend dumped off a few bags of hickory and apple wood the other day so
> I thought I would use that, but I need some advice on how to use it. Do I
> start a fire in the box and wait until it has burned down to coals, and
> what about refueling? I guess I'm not going to good with a good 'ol fire
> in the box since that would make it far too hot for my beloved (but time
> consuming) "low and slow"?
>
> Advice appreciated.
>
> --
> ceed (indeed)


Depends on how much you have. If you have a limited supply, use the lump
and add a stick or two as you go to make good smoke flavor. That three bags
can last a few years.

If you can get much of it, just burn it down in the firebox to get some
coals going, then start cooking. A North Carolina purist will make coals
and just add the coals, but many of us would just keep adding the wood. Not
too much at a time though, or you get thick acrid smoke and creosote flavor.

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Default Got some hickory and apple wood. Now what?

On Jun 12, 7:35*am, "Ed Pawlowski" > wrote:
> "ceed" > wrote in message
>
> > I've always been using lump in my cast iron offset barrel smoker. Looks
> > like this:http://dl.dropbox.com/u/13631571/070504_%230004.jpg. However,
> > a friend dumped off a few bags of hickory and apple wood the other day so
> > I thought I would use that, but I need some advice on how to use it. Do I

>
> Depends on how much you have. *If you have a limited supply, use the lump
> and add a stick or two as you go to make good smoke flavor. *That three bags
> can last a few years.
>
> If you can get much of it, just burn it down in the firebox to get some
> coals going, then start cooking. *A North Carolina purist will make coals
> and just add the coals, but many of us would just keep adding the wood. Not
> too much at a time though, or you get thick acrid smoke and creosote flavor.


What Ed said. I would like to say that even when I've used larger than
suggested sized logs, I've not had this creosote problem people talk
about. Did probably 12 raw wood only cooks the last three years all of
them using larger than preferred logs and even though I sometimes got
more smoke than you'd like, don't remember that bad smell people refer
to and it never came out in the product, even when there was
smoldering.
When I've tasted or smelled that bad smoke, it was a result of a fire
that was oxygen starved or damped down, reducing both the oxygen and
the air flow. When using wood, keep the thing breathing, only damp it
down a little bit when it starts burning a out of control. Am sure you
know this already, but it bears repeating: keep the exhaust vents full
open, control is done at the intake.
Playing around with your exhaust can result in the creosote too.

But my firebox is pretty damn big too, I can get away doing logs you
can't with that smaller firebox. The classic size suggested is about
2x2x12 splits. You didn't say in what form this wood is, logs,
branches, already cut, but you said "bags" so it could be chunks.
*shrug*. Help a man help ya man.

Don't expect to be able to use pure raw wood and cook 200-250F. Think
250-300 if you're good. And of course spikes above that.
I like using raw wood, it's different and it's a bit of a challenge
too, like the smoke I get out of it too. Will only do big chunk meat
this way becasuse of the heat, brisket or butt.

Now using that apple, with it's subtle flavors that's best used on
other smaller, shorter cooking cuts, I'd be prepared to tend a fire
the whole time just for the results. Beverage and book in hand of
course.

Then again, apple and butt sure would go nice together.
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Default Got some hickory and apple wood. Now what?

On Sun, 12 Jun 2011 11:19:45 -0500, tutall > wrote:

> On Jun 12, 7:35 am, "Ed Pawlowski" > wrote:
>> "ceed" > wrote in message
>>
>> > I've always been using lump in my cast iron offset barrel smoker.

>> Looks
>> > like this:http://dl.dropbox.com/u/13631571/070504_%230004.jpg.

>> However,
>> > a friend dumped off a few bags of hickory and apple wood the other

>> day so
>> > I thought I would use that, but I need some advice on how to use it.

>> Do I
>>
>> Depends on how much you have. If you have a limited supply, use the
>> lump
>> and add a stick or two as you go to make good smoke flavor. That three
>> bags
>> can last a few years.
>>
>> If you can get much of it, just burn it down in the firebox to get some
>> coals going, then start cooking. A North Carolina purist will make
>> coals
>> and just add the coals, but many of us would just keep adding the wood.
>> Not
>> too much at a time though, or you get thick acrid smoke and creosote
>> flavor.

>
> What Ed said. I would like to say that even when I've used larger than
> suggested sized logs, I've not had this creosote problem people talk
> about. Did probably 12 raw wood only cooks the last three years all of
> them using larger than preferred logs and even though I sometimes got
> more smoke than you'd like, don't remember that bad smell people refer
> to and it never came out in the product, even when there was
> smoldering.
> When I've tasted or smelled that bad smoke, it was a result of a fire
> that was oxygen starved or damped down, reducing both the oxygen and
> the air flow. When using wood, keep the thing breathing, only damp it
> down a little bit when it starts burning a out of control. Am sure you
> know this already, but it bears repeating: keep the exhaust vents full
> open, control is done at the intake.
> Playing around with your exhaust can result in the creosote too.
>
> But my firebox is pretty damn big too, I can get away doing logs you
> can't with that smaller firebox. The classic size suggested is about
> 2x2x12 splits. You didn't say in what form this wood is, logs,
> branches, already cut, but you said "bags" so it could be chunks.
> *shrug*. Help a man help ya man.
>
> Don't expect to be able to use pure raw wood and cook 200-250F. Think
> 250-300 if you're good. And of course spikes above that.
> I like using raw wood, it's different and it's a bit of a challenge
> too, like the smoke I get out of it too. Will only do big chunk meat
> this way becasuse of the heat, brisket or butt.
>
> Now using that apple, with it's subtle flavors that's best used on
> other smaller, shorter cooking cuts, I'd be prepared to tend a fire
> the whole time just for the results. Beverage and book in hand of
> course.
>
> Then again, apple and butt sure would go nice together.


Thank you both of ya (Ed and you)! The wood is in short logs, kinda like
the chimenea cut you can purchase in bags. I will follow the advice given
and see how it turns out. If it works out I may even take a chance on the
4th of Jule brisket with this wood. I have quite a few bags.

Off I go to make a fire! Gouing to keep some ice cold Shiners close by as
well!

--
ceed (indeed)

registered linux user #228949
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Default Got some hickory and apple wood. Now what?

On Sun, 12 Jun 2011 11:19:45 -0500, tutall > wrote:

> On Jun 12, 7:35 am, "Ed Pawlowski" > wrote:
>> "ceed" > wrote in message
>>
>> > I've always been using lump in my cast iron offset barrel smoker.

>> Looks
>> > like this:http://dl.dropbox.com/u/13631571/070504_%230004.jpg.

>> However,
>> > a friend dumped off a few bags of hickory and apple wood the other

>> day so
>> > I thought I would use that, but I need some advice on how to use it.

>> Do I
>>
>> Depends on how much you have. If you have a limited supply, use the
>> lump
>> and add a stick or two as you go to make good smoke flavor. That three
>> bags
>> can last a few years.
>>
>> If you can get much of it, just burn it down in the firebox to get some
>> coals going, then start cooking. A North Carolina purist will make
>> coals
>> and just add the coals, but many of us would just keep adding the wood.
>> Not
>> too much at a time though, or you get thick acrid smoke and creosote
>> flavor.

>
> What Ed said. I would like to say that even when I've used larger than
> suggested sized logs, I've not had this creosote problem people talk
> about. Did probably 12 raw wood only cooks the last three years all of
> them using larger than preferred logs and even though I sometimes got
> more smoke than you'd like, don't remember that bad smell people refer
> to and it never came out in the product, even when there was
> smoldering.
> When I've tasted or smelled that bad smoke, it was a result of a fire
> that was oxygen starved or damped down, reducing both the oxygen and
> the air flow. When using wood, keep the thing breathing, only damp it
> down a little bit when it starts burning a out of control. Am sure you
> know this already, but it bears repeating: keep the exhaust vents full
> open, control is done at the intake.
> Playing around with your exhaust can result in the creosote too.
>
> But my firebox is pretty damn big too, I can get away doing logs you
> can't with that smaller firebox. The classic size suggested is about
> 2x2x12 splits. You didn't say in what form this wood is, logs,
> branches, already cut, but you said "bags" so it could be chunks.
> *shrug*. Help a man help ya man.
>
> Don't expect to be able to use pure raw wood and cook 200-250F. Think
> 250-300 if you're good. And of course spikes above that.
> I like using raw wood, it's different and it's a bit of a challenge
> too, like the smoke I get out of it too. Will only do big chunk meat
> this way becasuse of the heat, brisket or butt.
>
> Now using that apple, with it's subtle flavors that's best used on
> other smaller, shorter cooking cuts, I'd be prepared to tend a fire
> the whole time just for the results. Beverage and book in hand of
> course.
>
> Then again, apple and butt sure would go nice together.


Did some chicken and pork, smaller pieces, using only the hickory wood. It
turned out incredible! The smoke flavor is intense, but "cleaner" than
when I use lump. In a way I do not like that the result was that great. It
means I will have to take the extra time to do real wood for some of my
bbq in the future. It's time consuming having to burn it down first, and I
really had to be careful how I refueled since I once put in too much and
the temperature soared far above 350F and I had to let some heat out to
prevent the meat from drying out (chicken is notorious for just that).

Family and friends had those glassy far away eyes while eating making
sounds more resembling what you do in bed with your wife (or whoever you
share bed with) than eating

Thanks!

--
ceed (indeed)
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Default Got some hickory and apple wood. Now what?


"ceed" > wrote

> really had to be careful how I refueled since I once put in too much and
> the temperature soared far above 350F and I had to let some heat out to
> prevent the meat from drying out (chicken is notorious for just that).
>
> Family and friends had those glassy far away eyes while eating making
> sounds more resembling what you do in bed with your wife (or whoever you
> share bed with) than eating
>
> Thanks!
>
> --
> ceed (indeed)


Glad it worked well for you. As for chicken, I make a very juicy chicken at
400 to 425 all the time. Skin is nice and crispy too!



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Default Got some hickory and apple wood. Now what?


On 12-Jun-2011, tutall > wrote:

> On Jun 12, 7:35*am, "Ed Pawlowski" > wrote:
> > "ceed" > wrote in message
> >
> > > I've always been using lump in my cast iron offset barrel smoker.
> > > Looks
> > > like this:http://dl.dropbox.com/u/13631571/070504_%230004.jpg.
> > > However,
> > > a friend dumped off a few bags of hickory and apple wood the other day
> > > so
> > > I thought I would use that, but I need some advice on how to use it.
> > > Do I

> >
> > Depends on how much you have. *If you have a limited supply, use the
> > lump
> > and add a stick or two as you go to make good smoke flavor. *That three
> > bags
> > can last a few years.
> >
> > If you can get much of it, just burn it down in the firebox to get some
> > coals going, then start cooking. *A North Carolina purist will make
> > coals
> > and just add the coals, but many of us would just keep adding the wood.
> > Not
> > too much at a time though, or you get thick acrid smoke and creosote
> > flavor.

>
> What Ed said. I would like to say that even when I've used larger than
> suggested sized logs, I've not had this creosote problem people talk
> about. Did probably 12 raw wood only cooks the last three years all of
> them using larger than preferred logs and even though I sometimes got
> more smoke than you'd like, don't remember that bad smell people refer
> to and it never came out in the product, even when there was
> smoldering.
> When I've tasted or smelled that bad smoke, it was a result of a fire
> that was oxygen starved or damped down, reducing both the oxygen and
> the air flow. When using wood, keep the thing breathing, only damp it
> down a little bit when it starts burning a out of control. Am sure you
> know this already, but it bears repeating: keep the exhaust vents full
> open, control is done at the intake.
> Playing around with your exhaust can result in the creosote too.
>
> But my firebox is pretty damn big too, I can get away doing logs you
> can't with that smaller firebox. The classic size suggested is about
> 2x2x12 splits. You didn't say in what form this wood is, logs,
> branches, already cut, but you said "bags" so it could be chunks.
> *shrug*. Help a man help ya man.
>
> Don't expect to be able to use pure raw wood and cook 200-250F. Think
> 250-300 if you're good. And of course spikes above that.
> I like using raw wood, it's different and it's a bit of a challenge
> too, like the smoke I get out of it too. Will only do big chunk meat
> this way becasuse of the heat, brisket or butt.
>
> Now using that apple, with it's subtle flavors that's best used on
> other smaller, shorter cooking cuts, I'd be prepared to tend a fire
> the whole time just for the results. Beverage and book in hand of
> course.
>
> Then again, apple and butt sure would go nice together.


tutall is correct, but he makes it sound so much easier then it
is. Granted, I'm a slow learner, but it took me the better part of
two years to gain control of an offset BBQ pit to the point that I
can fuel it with whatever is handy and know that I'm going to get
good 'Q' out of it.

--
Brick(Too soon old and too late smart)
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Default Got some hickory and apple wood. Now what?

On Sun, 12 Jun 2011 22:08:11 -0500, Ed Pawlowski >
wrote:

> Glad it worked well for you. As for chicken, I make a very juicy
> chicken at 400 to 425 all the time. Skin is nice and crispy too!


That's a great tip, since I mostly think chicken gets boring with leathery
skin which has to be thrown away. I will try that next time!


--
ceed (indeed)

registered linux user #228949
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