Heresy

[Ka Honu]

I just (finally) got a copy of Smoke & Spice by Cheryl and Bill Jamison.  People been telling me that this is a "must have" resource so I go for it and start reading.  In the very first part of the book they advocate soaking wood chips or chunks. When I retrieve my jaw, I think about it for a moment.  Nope - no way I can believe that a book so well thought of and recommended tells people to smoke with wet wood.  Must be a typo.  Nope - that's the way they roll - unbelievable!

I'm heartbroken and awaiting guidance.  Should I burn it, return it, or just ignore (or cross out) the offensive passages?  (Those are the only choices - I'm too cheap to send it to those of you who volunteer to help solve my dilemma).

[GusRobin]

Soak it then put it in the smoker

[squirtthecat]

I *had* the same book.  It's geared to the WSM folk.   I donated it to the local library, along with a bunch of Emeril's and "Gas Grill Gourmet" cookbooks people kept giving me.

[hal4uk]

Yup, Turtle...  I reckon I have a paperweight that resembles yours.
Lemme know if you want a matching set.
Awrighten.

[KyNola]

I also have that book.  I agree that the wet wood thing threw me but there are some good ideas for rubs, mops and sauces in there.  At least tear those pages out before you put the book inside a coconut and "set it free". :)

[Quarlow]

Lots do soak there chips and for "cedar plank salmon" you need to soak the plank. what is the issue again? I sort of remember some chat about not soaking but can't remember, so for the sake of newbies,(and me) please recap.

[La Quinta]

I have that book and I agree with Ky...good mops and sauses to an extent...but when I got my first water smoker I made some good stuff from that book...long time ago but for new people to smoking...I like it...the stories are fun anyway...

KH...remember, that book is for the general public...not pro's like you!!!

[deb415611]

yup, i'm with KyNola & LQ,   I never fully follow any recipe so it's easy to ignore the soaking wood part

[Sailor]

Soaking wood?  Did that 40 years ago and my Q has never used it since.

[Ka Honu]

...I sort of remember some chat about not soaking but can't remember, so for the sake of newbies,(and me) please recap.

On this subject, TBOT (The Book of Turtle) says:

• Wet wood doesn't smoke for a longer time than dry.  It smolders and gives off steam until it's dry enough to burn and then smokes.  Therefore it just smokes "later" for about the same amount of time (and water doesn't penetrate the wood very much anyway so there's no real point).


• The "smudge" (smoke & water vapor) wet wood gives off while it's drying settles on your meat.  Smoke does the same thing but the smudge eventually dries into a "tar" which can impart a bitter taste to your cook. This is why you don't smoke with green wood.


• If you're concerned about "flare-ups," use larger chunks or an aluminum foil pouch or tuna can to hold your chips.

These may not be the correct answers, but they're my answers and, in the final analysis, that's what counts.

OBTW, I figured out what to do with the book - we're giving it as a Christmas present to someone we owe a gift but don't like enough to make it a good one.

[Quarlow]

LOL that is perfect.

[La Quinta]

Really KH? I soaked wood with my bullet smoker for years...big chunks that will take a long time to burn...how come you have gone "sour" on that type of smoking? Lots of people have that type of smoker to start out...

[Ka Honu]

...how come you have gone "sour" on that type of smoking?

I never liked the smell of wet wood burning and couldn't figure why anything so seemingly wrong was supposed to be good.

[La Quinta]

Well...there are many young smokers who need to start somewhere and the Bradley or other brand smokers are out of their price reach...as was with me when I was young...I certainly know that this smoker is better but I couldn't have afforded one in college...so...there ya go...just trying to keep a perspective I guess?

[SnellySmokesEm]

Nice post...  I must have missed the original!  This subject is almost as sensitive as politics....  haha j/k  :o