Wood storage and moisture

[jpittssr]

Some of you may have bought wood from American Wood Products and be familiar with their website. For the rest of us here is a link: http://www.americanwoodproducts.net/wood-guide/moisture-content.htm

This is a good site if you have questions about wood for smoking.

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[DivotMaker]

I learned a lot from their site, when studying wood awhile back.  Great refresher - good info!

[Mickey]

From the info on American wood products would you say that if your wood is dried out[ambient conditions, long term, South  La.] that it would be better for the smoke penetration to have soaked your wood before hand?

[DivotMaker]

Mickey, soaking chunks is not necessary, and actually a little counter-productive.  The water will not penetrate very deep in the wood, and just make the surface wet.  When we start with a cold smoker, and cold meat, wet wood is no good - takes too long to dry out enough to smoke.  If your wood is too dry, try wrapping the bottom of the chunk with foil (like a little foil boat).  It will prevent the dry wood from combusting. 

Many do, however, soak chips.  This helps them not catch fire - a more controlled smolder.

[swthorpe]

What I am doing  now (and I think Divot suggested it) is I keep my wood chunks in a Tupperware container with a good seal top.   I added a baggie with a wet cloth instead of the container, working on the assumption that the moisture from the cloth keeps the container (and wood) moist.  Tony is right about soaking chunks...doesn't work since the water doesn't really penetrate the wood.   I also use the foiled boat method around my wood when it goes into the smoker box.