Green Smokewood?

[Phil Pavlovicz]

My neighbor had a large hickory taken down this fall and he gave me a sizable log. I cut it into two inch slices and split it into chunks. Does anyone have an opinion on if I can use this right away, or should I let it dry for the summer before using the chunks as smokewood? I've heard differing opinions that green wood can impart a bitter flavor.

 

[timothy]

I've heard some use green fruit-wood and like it, never nut-wood tho. I would wait. If you have an attic put it up there in a plastic laundry basket, the heat will speed up the drying process.

Tim

 

[Phil Perrin]

Let it dry. A buddy at work gave me a BUNCH of hickory. I let it dry for about 3 months and used some. I found it had a bitter taste. So I let it dry another 3 and it was fine.

 

[Tim McCann]

I've much of the same thing. Green wood tends to be on the bitter side.

 

[Phil Pavlovicz]

Thanks guys. I'll use oak and my last chunk of apple for my ribs today. I'll let the hickory dry over the summer and break it out in the fall.