Welcome to the EGGhead Forum - a great place to visit and packed with tips and EGGspert advice! You can also join the conversation and get more information and amazing kamado recipes by following Big Green Egg to Experience our World of Flavor™ at:
Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  Youtube  |  Vimeo
Share your photos by tagging us and using the hashtag #BigGreenEgg.

Want to see how the EGG is made? Click to Watch

How 'clean' does smoking wood need to be?

Matt_inSC
Matt_inSC Posts: 80
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
I have some fruit tree wood I want to use for smoking. I collected some branches to cut into chunks but am curious about the bark and lichen (very dry - not moist like moss) growing on the wood? Do I need to try to remove that or will it be OK on the egg as is?
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Firetruck
    Firetruck Posts: 2,679
    The bark should be ok but I'd scrape anything else off. Ya just never know.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JLOCKHART29
    JLOCKHART29 Posts: 5,897
    My presimmon wood I cut straight off the main trees and is covered with the lichen. If it hurts anything I never have been able to tell after 1000's of cooks with it and never had a complante from my "guest"! ;)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Little Chef
    Little Chef Posts: 4,725
    Matt...I have 'heard' that some barks can cause bitterness...but couldn't begin to tell you which ones... :blush: Perhaps try it as it is, and if you find bitterness, strip the bark and parasites for the following cook and see if it makes a difference. Might want to be conservative with an inexpensive cook like chicken while making up your mind....but this is what makes Egging fun IMO. :):blush: Very cool to have wood right from the yard.... Have FUN! :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mr. & Mrs Potatohead
    Mr. & Mrs Potatohead Posts: 2,037
    I use apple, oak & cherry smoke-wood with bark on.
    As for lichen and such: I don’t have any on the apple, but do have a very small amount on my oak and cherry….I don’t think it has caused any off tastes.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories