BRADLEY SMOKER | "Taste the Great Outdoors"

Smoking Techniques => Sausage Making => Topic started by: Old Frenchie on April 07, 2012, 02:33:07 PM

Title: Woods ... Apple, cherry, walnut or hickory ??
Post by: Old Frenchie on April 07, 2012, 02:33:07 PM
Another newbie question ....

I have a large supply of "free" apple, cherry, and black walnut woods (from trees on my property). I have read about these wood's characteristics on this forum but am still uncertain about what to use.

My first project will be smoking some sausages and Kielbasa.

Would one of of the above woods be okay (or a combination) or should I just go out and buy some hickory ??

Thanks ....
Roger
Title: Re: Woods ... Apple, cherry, walnut or hickory ??
Post by: mikecorn.1 on April 07, 2012, 02:35:22 PM
PECAN  ;D ;)
Title: Re: Woods ... Apple, cherry, walnut or hickory ??
Post by: devo on April 07, 2012, 02:36:09 PM
The black walnut sounds very interesting for sausage, I'm a hickory man myself. Just wondering how you plan on burning the wood in a Bradley if thats what your using?
Title: Re: Woods ... Apple, cherry, walnut or hickory ??
Post by: Old Frenchie on April 07, 2012, 02:56:56 PM
Quote from: devo on April 07, 2012, 02:36:09 PM
The black walnut sounds very interesting for sausage, I'm a hickory man myself. Just wondering how you plan on burning the wood in a Bradley if thats what your using?

Wish I could say I have a Bradley but as a newbie I have not yet acquired one ... just using a cheap Brinkman.

As addictive as this hobby seems to be I would imagine I will have a bradley as soon as I convince myself that I can make good sausage.

Roger
Title: Woods ... Apple, cherry, walnut or hickory ??
Post by: mikecorn.1 on April 07, 2012, 03:32:33 PM
RUBISH, NONSENSE, ;) ;D. I got mine in 2009 and never smoked a thing. ;D :o


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Woods ... Apple, cherry, walnut or hickory ??
Post by: pikeman_95 on April 07, 2012, 09:36:03 PM
I would suggest that you try the Apple first. I my self almost exclusively use apple that I chip my self. I have used hickory for special projects but did not think it was worth the cost.
Title: Re: Woods ... Apple, cherry, walnut or hickory ??
Post by: Habanero Smoker on April 08, 2012, 02:50:00 AM
There is nothing wrong with a Brinkman. I used a Brinkman Gourmet for many years. Be careful with the Black Walnut. I have used it and I feel the flavor is stronger then hickory, and even if you apply just a little too much you will get a very strong bitter taste.
Title: Re: Woods ... Apple, cherry, walnut or hickory ??
Post by: NePaSmoKer on April 08, 2012, 04:39:20 AM
hickory, apple, pecan and sassafras.
Title: Re: Woods ... Apple, cherry, walnut or hickory ??
Post by: Old Frenchie on April 08, 2012, 09:13:15 AM
Thanks everyone !!! :)

I can't get over how great this site is ....  The vast knowledge & experience ... friendly ... and the willingness to share and help !!!

A really appreciative newbie,
Roger
Title: Re: Woods ... Apple, cherry, walnut or hickory ??
Post by: slowpoke on April 08, 2012, 09:49:29 AM
Not to ruffle feathers,but,youtube has the bbq pitt boys,they use what looks like a brinkman.I had one for years too.Worked great.
Might be brinkman hints on youtube too.All the best.Apple wood or hickory wood.
Title: Re: Woods ... Apple, cherry, walnut or hickory ??
Post by: Old Frenchie on April 08, 2012, 04:38:11 PM
Thanks Slowpoke, for the YouTube reference ... lots of good info there for a newbie.

Sounds like I'll try the apple for now, and maybe buy a small amount of hickory later to compare to.
Title: Re: Woods ... Apple, cherry, walnut or hickory ??
Post by: rajzer on April 14, 2012, 04:31:32 PM
Not speaking from experience, but from reading an exchange agout different woods for smoking on the Polish wedlininy domowe site, the consensus there is that walnut is to be avoided.  Horse chestnut is even worse.
Title: Re: Woods ... Apple, cherry, walnut or hickory ??
Post by: Habanero Smoker on April 15, 2012, 01:29:42 AM
Quote from: rajzer on April 14, 2012, 04:31:32 PM
Not speaking from experience, but from reading an exchange agout different woods for smoking on the Polish wedlininy domowe site, the consensus there is that walnut is to be avoided.  Horse chestnut is even worse.

You do have to be careful with black walnut, but if used properly it like a stronger version of hickory. When I have used it, I always removed any bark that was remaining on the wood.
Title: Re: Woods ... Apple, cherry, walnut or hickory ??
Post by: Stickbowcrafter on April 16, 2012, 06:22:06 AM
I find myself using apple for just about everything anymore.

-Brian
Title: Re: Woods ... Apple, cherry, walnut or hickory ??
Post by: Old Frenchie on April 23, 2012, 02:06:09 PM
Thanks guys .... !!!

I will stay away from the walnut for sure.

The apple, which I have plenty of (2 very old "summer" apple trees that I do not like ... prefer the Fall varieties), sounds like the way to go.

Thanks again,
Roger
Title: Re: Woods ... Apple, cherry, walnut or hickory ??
Post by: pmmpete on April 23, 2012, 05:03:26 PM
I have a question for those who prepare their own wood chips.  When you chip the wood, do you remove the bark first or chip the bark as well?  Do you use only wood from thick logs, or do you chip small branches?
Title: Re: Woods ... Apple, cherry, walnut or hickory ??
Post by: Habanero Smoker on April 24, 2012, 02:39:39 AM
It depends on the equipment that you are using. For my charcoal burners I use wood chunks. I cut the wood into 3 - 4 inch thickness, then split the wood into approximately the same size, if I need to break the piece down smaller I will do it when needed. I leave the bark on, others suggest to remove the bark. For limbs that 3 inches in diameter or less, I cut them into 4 - 6 inch lengths and don't split.

I no longer have a wood chipper, so if I'm using my propane grill I will purchase wood chips or pellets.
Title: Re: Woods ... Apple, cherry, walnut or hickory ??
Post by: pikeman_95 on April 25, 2012, 06:57:15 PM
Pete.
You load the branches up and bring them over here and run them through my chipper.
kc