Beech as a smoking wood?

NoVA Bill

I took a walk around my property today (been a while) and notice the large number of Beech trees. There are lots of Hickory - both Pignut and Shag Bark and various Oaks. But my curiosity is with the Beech tree.

Does anyone have experience with Beech wood and smoking?

Thanks!

The Naked Whiz

Well, they use it to make charcoal (Maple Leaf, for example) so, it should make acceptable smoke.

Spring Chicken

Just a quick Google search came up with this:

http://bbq.about.com/b/2004/02/29/will-beech-wood-smoke.htm

Spring "Woodworking Son Of A Beech" Chicken
Spring Texas USA

sharhamm

Piquillo pepper from the area of Naverre, Spain are grill over beechwood. Now whether it is the same type or tree,or not, I really don't know. I guess I'll google and see what I can come up with.

NoVA Bill

SC,

That's interesting. The wood is very hard and therefore should do well in the egg - just wondering if anyone on the forum uses it?

Thanks,

NoVA Bill

Whiz,

That's interesting also as they use Beech to make "Maple" Leaf (just kidding).

So far no one with real world exerience. SC's reply and yours certaining supports the use of it. And Sharhamm's reply also supports it.

I have a couple Beech in the yard and they hang down so it's hard to get the tractor around the tree. I'll take some of the smaller limbs and chunk them and report out. Looks like I'll be self-fulfilling wrt smokin' wood.

NoVA Bill

Thanks! All interesting replies. Still looking for the egghead with real world experience with Beech.

Boss Hogg

Check with "bill". I seem to recall that he has tries beech and liked it.
Brian

Fidel

Hey Bill,

I can't help you with that beech question, but I would consider myself in debt to you if you would bring me a bag full of that shagbark hickory - bark and all. Especially the bark.

fishlessman

it smells nice in the fire pit, almost like maple or even white oak to me, why not give it a shot. ive probably tossed some in from the wood pile before thinking it was maple

NoVA Bill

I'll see what I can find.

NoVA Bill

Gonna do it. Thanks!

NoVA Bill

Thank you!

crghc98

Alder(Eastern), also know as Beech, a delicate flavor with just a hint of sweet. - from smokinlicious.com


If alder is truly the same as american beech I have used it mixed with cherry and maple on butts....

gdenby

Beech is very common where I live, and I occasionally pick up bigger sticks when out walking. just to save for smoking. The bits I've used, thick sticks, not chunks, have worked fine. Doesn't char away as slowly as hickory or oak, but is slower than fruitwood. Gives a nice, thin smoke, good for a lighter smoke effect.

Photo Egg

In Galveston the locals go to the beach to smoke...
darian

NoVA Bill

Chris,

Thank you. I can't believe the amount of Beech I have in my woods. It's a lot easier to get to its branches than Hickory.

NoVA Bill

Thanks great feedback - thanks!

NoVA Bill

I'll take the 5th on this one.