Hawaiian Kiawe (kee-ah-vey) wood

[DivotMaker]

Divot,

Just curious, did you get Smokinlicious to cut your chunks smaller?  If not, I'm now without a bandsaw and have been having a hard time cutting them down with a chisel and a hammer.  I guess I could use longer but thinner chunks but would rather have little squares.

Since most of the chunks seem to average about 4 oz, I only split them lengthwise, with the grain (very easy).  I see no need to shorten the length.  I like to keep it simple.

[AlinMA]

For splitting chunks, a hatchet and hammer works great!  Set the hatchet on the line you want to split, and hit with the hammer.  Works better than a chisel, imo.

+1 The above is the way to go!

[AlinMA]

Divot,

Just curious, did you get Smokinlicious to cut your chunks smaller?  If not, I'm now without a bandsaw and have been having a hard time cutting them down with a chisel and a hammer.  I guess I could use longer but thinner chunks but would rather have little squares.

This is what I do.....If you have chunks use a hatchet and hammer to split the chunks along  the grain. I like to use chunks that are about 1/2 " thick.I shoot for about 1 1/2" square. I use a hatchet and 3 pound hammer to split the chunks.If I have chunks that are longer than the target length I them split them across the grain. At 1/2" thick it's a piece of cake!
The hammer and hatchet can be had for about $15.00 at Harbor Freight, slightly more at Home Depot and more still at Sears.

[jcboxlot]

First full cook with these.   Good flavor, slow to ramp up?   I never did really get a "billowing" smoke.   Took 1/2 hour to see smoke.

Pics are after a 3 hr cook.

[gregbooras]

First full cook with these.   Good flavor, slow to ramp up?   I never did really get a "billowing" smoke.   Took 1/2 hour to see smoke.

Pics are after a 3 hr cook.

John,

What did you smoke with the Kiawe?

My friend and neighbor next store used this with a mix of two other woods and he said his Pork Butt turned out great.

Greg

[jcboxlot]

The stuffed meatloaf I just posted.   

[Libohunden]

I'm on Maui now and just emailed the company, which is very near to my hotel (Waimea). If they can sell me some Kiawe wood, I wonder if I'll have issues getting it back?  Anyone have any idea?

[DivotMaker]

I wonder if I'll have issues getting it back?  Anyone have any idea?

No way!  I mean, what could possibly go wrong?  You have it in a big plastic bag in your carry-on, and tell the TSA agent it's wood for "smoking"; he/she takes that as it's going to smoke in the aircraft, which translates into "it might be a smoldering bomb!"  Next thing you know, you're spread-eagle on the floor, and they're pulling out handcuffs and rubber gloves.... no problem, just a "slight" delay.

I'd throw it in a UPS box and send it home.

[jcboxlot]

+1 Mail it back, dont fight the man.   Or hassle.

[darreldbeck]

Thanks for tip. I was just about to order some new wood & now I know what I'll try.
Doug from Indiana

[Libohunden]

I did speak with them. They are awesome. They did recommend I just have it shipped as usual. But did special cut it for me in smaller pieces! Great people!

[DivotMaker]

Gotta love small companies like that, Libo!

[Libohunden]

Kiawe wood has arrived!  Smells great!!  I think I'll try it on shrimp tomorrow.

[oldrndrt]

Greg, thanks for the link.  Just ordered the kiawe and guava.  It's now $32 per order.

[Edward]

Received the goods today. Thank u Greg for the recommendation. Is everyone smoking this wood with the bark on or how ya doing it? I can't even imagine how to remove all this bark. I guess Smokinlicious got me spoiled.