Fruita Chunk Size?

[ColoradoClark]

My new Smomin-It 3D is on its way!  Quick question as I am palcing an order of Fruita wood (I know I will have a lot more questions later): when you order wood from Fruita, what size do you get?  "Chunks"?  2"x2" Chunks?

Thanks for your help!

 

[SuperDave]

2" X 2" works and a hammer / wood chisel is very handy for making smaller pieces. 

 

[ColoradoClark]

Thanks!  I figured that size would make sense.

 

[raymillsus]

What do you do with all the bark on the wood. Do you leave it on or remove it first. Almost every piece has bark.

 

[ColoradoClark]

@raymillsus: from what I have read, the bark isn't any big deal as long as it isn't a huge percentage of the fuel that you are burning: I think it is safe to just use the wood with the bark on.

 

[SconnieQ]

What do you do with all the bark on the wood. Do you leave it on or remove it first. Almost every piece has bark.

Most people seem fine with bark. There are some in the professional BBQ crawl who think bark is undesirable,  makes the smoke taste bitter, or some other off flavor. I've used wood with bark, and I can't tell the difference. Just go ahead and leave it on. I think the bark issue is overblown, unless you've got a lot of wood that is mostly bark, and no "meat" to the wood.

 

[LarryD]

Someone needs to do a blind test...  get something that is pretty consistent (large pork loin?) and smoke half of it using just chunks with the bark removed and the other half smoked with the removed bark.  Let folks sample each and report on what they like and don't like about each.  If there is a real difference then this should help 'smoke' it out. 

 

[SuperDave]

Almost all my wood is from tree pruning or trees that friends and neighbors cut down, all my wood has some level of bark.  I don't believe that I would have reached the reputation level I have with folks that love my smoked food is it was seriously detrimental to the taste.  And as Kari mentioned, I believe that wood to bark ratio could play a part. 

 

[old sarge]

Welcome ColoradoClark from SE Arizona. Enjoy the smoker!

 

[JustChillin]

I have used wood with and without bark. I have not noticed a difference. It could be like trying to distinguish a difference between bottles of wine that are similar in quality.

 

[raymillsus]

I figured if in fact there was a huge issue with it they would not have so much of it in there with it on it. Thanks for the replies.

 

[Walt]

I don't find an issue with some bark as long as it is clean (I.e. no mold, lichen, dirt globs, etc). I don't buy special wood. Most of the wood i use is harvested locally by me or my friends.  I have a small orchard of 25 fruit trees (Apple, peach, pear & plum) as well as access to all the oak & pecan I could use. I have never really had a need to get the fancy wood. Clean is the key! My $.02.