Black walnut for smoke wood

[Bbqmiller]

Has anyone ever used black walnut for smoking? From what I have read, it is pretty strong and needs to be mixed with milder woods such as fruit wood. A pretty good size limb let loose in our tree. I already have a good sized box filled with the smaller branches cut up. I can see why black walnut is prized for wood working, it has a nice dark  grain in the center.

[Bob BQ]

I can see why black walnut is prized for wood working, it has a nice dark  grain in the center.

...sounds like an opportunity to have some nice Zavod handles made with wood from your own backyard........

[1buckie]

Absolutely !!!

To both of you......

I find the black walnut I have to be my very favorite...it's very old though, like 16 years old & mellowed quite a bit.....I would let it cure quite awhile if you can.......................split it while it's still wet & store up off the ground somewhere......
If you wait to split, it's hard as a rock............

The cores of the big rounds I have I've been carving up & sending to Brian, also.....a lot of the smaller chunks that don't come out right for what he needs go into a  big apple box for smoke.....

The grain of the stuff is just plain groovy.................

That's it there ~~>



Gives a nice color finish ~~~>

[Bbqmiller]

Sounds like some good ideas. I have plenty from the smaller branches for seasoning/smoke wood. I can probably get quite a few rectangular blanks from the heart wood of the larger diameter section. I am likely to have a couple more branches even  a tad larger than this one. I think the tree needs a couple of lower leaders pruned later this winter.

[1buckie]

      1-1/8" x 1-1/8" x 7" or 7-1/2"



If I recall was the best size for him to start with......I've been sending slabs a bit over an inch thick, 8 or so long & as wide as I get out of the bigger pieces, so they can just get carved off as he sees fit

[DirectDrive]

Great idea to use the bigger chunks for woodworking and use the smaller pieces for smokewood.
That stuff makes into beautiful rifle stocks and pistol grips.....highly prized.

[jables]

I know the pellets are definitely a little stronger than normal pecan or fruitwood.

[mike.stavlund]

Bump. A buddy has some black walnut branches that we rescued from the firewood pile. They have been seasoning for about a year now... leave then a bit longer then?


Sent from my iPhone using my fingers

[1buckie]

You could try it out, just go easy to start......if the bark will knock off without a fight, do that.....mix w/ apple if it seems strong on the first round.............