How long can I store season smoking wood for?

[uncle albert]

Hello gents

Making the final preparations until I receive a Kamado Big Joe. Finances have just about recovered from moving house.

I am going to buy 600kg of hardwood lumpwood from Liverpool Pallets. No problem with storing that I assume.

If I buy bulk on Apple, oak and hickery from druid wood or another, is there a limitation on how the timber will keep? It will be in workshop or my woodshed, so good conditions.

Does it improve with age, or say does it lose quality after a few years....?

I am thinking of buying 120kg, so will be a lot to use over a short space of time....

Many thanks!

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[JEC]

120kg is a lot of wood for smoking, that will last quite some years unless you are cooking everyday. I typically only use 300 to 500 grams per cook and most times it will be closer to 300. I have weber wood chunks kicking around that I bought for £1 a bag at the end if a season 3 or 4 years ago. They aren't sealed in the bags and they are still ok, I do soak them though if I want a little extra smoke

[uncle albert]

Thanks JEC... A bit of basic maths and it will be at least 5 years worth..... 40kg apple, 40kg oak, 20kg hickory, 20kg mesquite. 300 quid from druids wood - not cheap by any sense of the the word. They come in sacks apparently. I guess if they lose some of their flavour just chuck more in.

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[uncle albert]

I think once I know what are my favourites, I keep a keen eye out for then in local woodland......when I bought the house it included 3/4 tonne of very well seasoned hardwood firewood. Burns brilliantly and lasts ages and ages on in the Woodburner....... If only I knew what is was? Is there any way to tell?

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[JEC]

I think once I know what are my favourites, I keep a keen eye out for then in local woodland......when I bought the house it included 3/4 tonne of very well seasoned hardwood firewood. Burns brilliantly and lasts ages and ages on in the Woodburner....... If only I knew what is was? Is there any way to tell?

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If you can see the grain the link below may help, it often helps to wet the surface a little to bring out the grain.

http://www.hobbithouseinc.com/personal/ ... tm#letterK

In the UK the most common hardwoods are beech, oak and ash, from your description I would bet on it being beech. Post a picture if you want and I'll have a go at identifying it, spent quite a few summers getting logs ready for the winter so not unfamiliar with different types

[uncle albert]

JEC you are a wise man indeed. I spoke to the firewood guy and he said I have I inherited 2 tonnes of well seasoned beech, from the main trunk. He was very proud of his product as well.

Questions is........ Is beech any good for smoking??

My order for 12 x 5 lbs of weber chunks has just been rejected on the grounds they want an extra 20 quid for delivery to my hillbilly land home....... So should I forget about a smorgasbord of weber chunks and focus on beech and foraging in the local woods / neighbours land [WINKING FACE]

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[uncle albert]

Firewood guy says he is now only 90 percent sure, so I attached a picture of firewood. [img]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/22/e3unazag.jpg[/img]

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[JEC]

Beech isn't the most popular of smoking woods, I've not used it but sure others have, however it's supposed to be mild in taste and suitable for meat and fish, check out the smoking wood table here

http://bbbqs.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=76

I can't see the image in your link above

[uncle albert]

Thanks for link.
I will try the beach and see how we go.
Cancelled Birchalls order and gone with Pauls £50 mixed bag.
Thanks for advice

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[YetiDave]

Beech is a nice smoke, I've used it to cold smoke cheese and bacon. I find it quite mild and sweet