Smoke Wood Storage - Long Term?


 
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Doug M

TVWBB Member
Last month I purchased my first 18.5" WSM, in preparation for its use I also stocked up on smoke wood (5 lb. bag each of Weber apple/cherry chunks, and 1/3 cubic foot each of white oak/hickory/sugar maple from Smokinlicious).

The Weber chunks I purchased at the same time as the WSM, but during my search for oak chunks I learned a lot about smoke wood and moisture content. My original intent was to stock up now for this season and for future seasons, but from what I understand as my smoke wood loses its moisture content it also loses its intensity/flavour. Which would lead me to believe that my Weber chunks sealed in plastic bags probably contain no moisture and will not impart as much flavour as the Smokinlicious chunks - are they even considered any good around here?

What I'd like to know is if my extra chunks will be useless for smoking after say a year of storage. Hopefully I am just over thinking this as we're definitely not talking about competition barbeque here, but just backyard smoking.

Appreciate any insight, thanks guys.
 
Doug, I've had sticks of hickory for over 16 years. It may get a little milder but who can tell? As long as you keep the wood dry and free of pests it should be good. Now, I can't speak for fruit woods that might be a different story.
 
Doug,

Welcome to the forum. Lots of good info here.

I've got some apple wood from a tree that died 5 years ago and I can't tell any difference in it than a bag I just bought from a local grocer just to try. Also have some wild plum and crabapple wood from limbs that have been dead from 3 to 5 years and it still imparts a delicious smoke flavor. I'm very fortunate I have a good variety of smoke woods on my property so probably won't be buying any more bags.

Scotty W.
 
Welcome to the board Doug.
With the smokinlicious filets I find "less is more" as I only use 1-2 pcs. With the bagged stuff I need 5-6 pcs to get close to that flavour.At least to my tastes.
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Tim
 
Thanks guys, I'm glad to hear that the difference between 'old' chunks and 'fresh' chunks is pretty negligible (I had been advised to use the chunks within a 3-4 month period after purchase).

For storage I'm planning on separating my wood chunks by type and keeping them in burlap bags or milk crates inside of my small barbeque shed outside (might even bring them inside during winter to keep them from drying out even more).
 
Doug, make sure you keep them off the floor so they stay dry and no pests can get to them and you should be ok.



<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Doug M:
Thanks guys, I'm glad to hear that the difference between 'old' chunks and 'fresh' chunks is pretty negligible (I had been advised to use the chunks within a 3-4 month period after purchase).

For storage I'm planning on separating my wood chunks by type and keeping them in burlap bags or milk crates inside of my small barbeque shed outside (might even bring them inside during winter to keep them from drying out even more). </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
 
Excellent points on storage. I had a small bucket of apple chunks drying in my shed...on the floor. Brought it up to the garage to test a piece in the firepit and noticed a wood roach in the pile. Dumped the bucket and noticed about 6 or 8. Keep the wood off the floor - it will help.
Jim
 
For storage I have a small plastic deck box to keep charcoal, smoke wood, and all my other barbecue supplies in. I had just planned on putting the wood chunks in burlap bags, and keeping them up high on a shelf inside. Thoughts? Maybe they would be better stored loosely in milk crates?
 
Doug, I stored mine in old plastic trash barrels. I've stored wood in milk crates. Didn't do anything special except keep them "high and dry"
 
Doug.
I use cheap dollar store laundry baskets for my smonlicious filets.
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I re-use the label on the bags for a reference. You don't list a location, but I would think that you're wood would dry out quicker in the summer stored in a small shed.

Tim
 
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