Well it is more like sawing and splitting wood in the city
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...
Step 1: Break out the bandsaw:
Step 2: Slice mini log across the grain into 3 roughly 4" pieces:
Step 3: Put down the power tools and dump chunks out on a hard concrete surface:
Step 4: Get out the non power tools: hatchet + hammer:
Step 5: Split chunks with the grain into smaller pieces by striking back of hatchet with hammer:
Result: Kettle sized smoke wood, and lots of it. Each bag produced enough wood to fill up two 5 gallon buckets:
Now I should be good on wood for the whole Summer