Using wood shop scraps for smoking?

[Raindog]

I acquired some oak scraps from a wood shop. They've obviously been kiln dried and "processed". Are these OK to be used for smoking?

[varekai]

@Raindog They are fine to use, i use the cut-offs from my shop scraps when I do pizzas... and when i smoke stuff ... obviously don't use anything that has been stained or previously glued up that still has glue residue.  I've even suggested to some of our "fire wood" challenged members here to just buy some oak lumber from a big box store and cut into pieces.

[Raindog]

@Raindog They are fine to use, i use the cut-offs from my shop scraps when I do pizzas... and when i smoke stuff

Thanks Varekai. They are much more dense than the chips I am used to buying. Do they cook hotter or longer etc?

[varekai]

larger pieces will last longer than chips, and oak does burn hot, I use it to spike up the temps in my pizza kettle..

[Raindog]

Thanks again.  Brainstorming here... can you soak them first like chips?

[YardBurner]

I have a client/friend who manages
a LARGE high end flooring company.
From time to time he brings some bags of cut offs.
Several species of oak, some American or Brazilian cherry.
Maple and the occasional hickory.
Works great.
Don't think it has the same flavor as un dried wood chunks
due to the oils being driven out during the drying process.

Best kindling you'll ever find.

[Raindog]

Thanks. I was wondering about that. I was first concerned about chemicals or additives in drying process but now what you're saying makes sense as far as quality of smoke. 

[YardBurner]

I also split 6 inch pieces into hot dog size chunks.
Does wonders to quickly bring a fire up in temp.
Then toss some more briquettes on top.
Gives em a little kick start.

[varekai]

@YardBurner , I had read somewhere that if a "fruit" wood ages too long, it loses it potency...

[YardBurner]

That has been my experience as well.

[Harleysmoker]

I have a client/friend who manages
a LARGE high end flooring company.
From time to time he brings some bags of cut offs.
Several species of oak, some American or Brazilian cherry.
Maple and the occasional hickory.
Works great.
Don't think it has the same flavor as un dried wood chunks
due to the oils being driven out during the drying process.

Best kindling you'll ever find.

I read some where once that even UNfinished hardwood flooring was treated with some kind of chemical. I dont think its good for smoking meat.

[dbhost]

Using air or kiln-dried hardwood lumber no problem however don't use anything that has been treated in any way like pressure treated pine no softwoods so no Pine no cedar anything like that absolutely no plywood. You will find that the dried Lumber will burn hotter and faster than normal BBQ wood because of the low moisture content.