Oak Hardwood Floor Remnants

[Jim Creasy]

This must have been asked before but I cannot find it...

I am laying hardwood floor... Finish on site, red oak. (No, not pre-finished). The wood is kiln dried but are there any chemicals that have otherwise been added?

If not, can I use the remnants for a flavor wood in my smoker? And if so, any thoughts on meats to try? (I am a hickory/pork kinda guy).

If it has been treated, is there any soaking to take that out? I hate to throw out another bucket of scrap wood that could otherwise be used as a smoke wood.

Thanks in advance.

JKC

 

[Jim Creasy]

I should add that this is the standard pallet stuff you get at Home Depot...

 

[timothy]

Some kilns use a chemical spray so the wood does not discolor. Oak is susceptible to turning black when wet, so that's your call.

I love red oak on beef!


Tim

 

[Jim Creasy]

OK... So, look on the label for chemicals? Or anyway to be sure?

JKC

 

[Lawrence M.]

Jim, alot of pallets get reused and fumigated upon shipping. I wouldn't risk it to save a few bucks.

 

[timothy]

You could see if the home depot has a MSDS on it, but usually the kiln is hard to track.
Just to let you know , my son worked at a custom stair shop. He brought home cut-offs of black cherry,oak, maple. All were kiln dried and I tried some for smoking and it didn't do anything for me as far as smoke flavour.
Solid flooring has to conform to a certain moisture content for an install, which is great for warranty issues but leaves alot for adding anything to a cook IMO as a Carpenter.
Like they say if you want the best fruit pick it from the source, same way with smoke-wood.

Tim

 

[JimH TX]

I used red oak to make a cart for my table saw. I used the scraps in my smoker and I'm still here, the oak came from Lowe's.

 

[timothy]

I remember this thread from a few yrs back.
http://tvwbb.com/eve/forums?f=...&cdra=Y&m=9600011945 A few posts from a member that worked in a kiln, seems oak/cherry scraps can be ok for smoking?

Tim

 

[Jim Creasy]

Thanks guys.

I wasn't saving money, just looking to avoid waste. I'll probably just use it in the fireplace or toss it.

Appreciate the feedback, as always.

JKC

 

[Len Dennis]

Another consideration: seeing as it's furniture-grade -->kiln-dried<--, it may be way drier than the normal "air" dried wood we usually use.

It may "go up in smoke" so fast that much more than normal would be needed??

Not an issue, just something to be prepared for.

 

[JimH TX]

Nope, burns just like the pecan chunks I use.

 

[Brad Olson]

I occasionally get hardwood scraps from the woodworking supply store down the street from my office, and they work OK if I soak them in water for an hour or 2. I can taste the smoke and they seem to last a reasonable amount of time.

 

[Chuck R]

Last week, I smoked a Brisket using red oak cut offs from a work bench I made. Good smoke.