Weber Kettle Club Forums

Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: Uncle Al on March 12, 2016, 09:36:11 PM

Title: Chopping wood in the city
Post by: Uncle Al on March 12, 2016, 09:36:11 PM

Well it is more like sawing and splitting wood in the city :P  The best deal I have found on wood for smoking is at my local Academy Sports.  They have these big 40-50 lb. bags of Oak, Pecan, Hickory and Mesquite for $15 each.  Apple and Cherry are double the price at $30.  The wood comes as mini logs about 12" in length, too big to be comfortable on the kettle.  So to make things right and since I live in the city I had to use power tools! 

Before we get started here is a message from Norm: There is no other more important safety rule......than to wear THESE... safety glasses...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v156/FlyerTom/Forum%20Uploads/norm_abram.jpg)

Step 1:  Break out the bandsaw:
(http://i67.tinypic.com/nvsh1f.jpg)

Step 2:  Slice mini log across the grain into 3 roughly 4" pieces:
(http://i65.tinypic.com/2rzuut0.jpg)

Step 3:  Put down the power tools and dump chunks out on a hard concrete surface:
(http://i63.tinypic.com/2vuiu1e.jpg)

Step 4:  Get out the non power tools: hatchet + hammer:
(http://i66.tinypic.com/2dqk8w9.jpg)

Step 5:  Split chunks with the grain into smaller pieces by striking back of hatchet with hammer:
(http://i66.tinypic.com/2uhsls8.jpg)

Result:  Kettle sized smoke wood, and lots of it.  Each bag produced enough wood to fill up two 5 gallon buckets:
(http://i64.tinypic.com/2zp2npy.jpg)

Now I should be good on wood for the whole Summer  ;D

Title: Re: Chopping wood in the city
Post by: Swamp Yankee on March 13, 2016, 06:51:31 AM

I'm lucky - living in the country with a yard full of hickory trees. ;)