I find often I pick up a load of smoker worthy wood. Wasn't long ago I got a load of freshly cut apple. Then a few days later a bit of maple and then a little after that a load and a half truck full of oak. None of it ready I'm afraid....until today. Looks like some pretty decent looking cherry. I expected it to be heavy and soggy as most of my fruit wood pick-ups are but not this one. Some of these branches have some lengthwise cracks from being out in the sun, not being split. Super light too. I'm set for the summer for the most part! Ps don't mind the pine off the left. I wasn't expecting it but will burn no problem.
Being new to the smoker world my supply is limited. Currently just using clean barkless oak. I do have a small amount of apple and BRAD has put aside some cherry and mulberry for me as well. Now I have three things to cover. 1) cooker wood 2) sawmill logs 3) then firewood My wife says the cooker is nothing more than an excuse to burn wood in August , she probably isn't too far off on that one.
Your wife (my phone auto typed Wise first actually) is smart to think ahead on this one. Especially when you might have a bunch of twigs she wants you to get rid of. It'll work well. I try to pick up fruit woods that don't have a lot of bark on them, get things going on the fire bark side in the fire and let it coal up then those bark-less pieces on top for the good smoke. Luckily the apple I picked up is perfect but some of the older trees have that tough bark that doesn't fall off well. Then the splitter can help tear that off
I strictly segragate my smoking meat firewood from regular heating firewood. For example, this 10x12" shed is almost full of Shagbark Hickory and Black Cherry: Most of my Pole Barn is full of Hickory with some Maple and a little Pine in the back: Bay #3 (closest and to the left) is full of Red Oak. Bay #2 and #1 are mixed hardwoods and Poplar respectively. Old pic of Woodshed#1; it's now full of Sweet Gum, Maple and Hackberry.
Nice set-up, and sheds. We separate species too. Almost 2.5 cords of pignut and mockernut hickory 5 cords of barkfree red oak We cut a 41" dia post oak. This os the bottom rounds... Some of the cherry we have drying Load of pecan we have to process 1/3 cord tote of oak going to a restaurant. Owner wants the bark on...
Have been selling a modest amount of smoker wood the past six weeks. Keeps the Benjamins flowing in during the off heating season. Sold this two rick load a few days ago. One rick white oak, 1/2 rick each of cherry and hickory. The guy was a serious smoker.
Thanks… started cutting on it today. Used the MS180 a bit. Finally sharpened the chain that was on it and even took the height gauges down. Perfect saw for that load of wood it would seem.
