Wood - Bark on or off?


 
Mac LA

Mac LA

TVWBB Super Fan
What is your preference and why?

I was told to ask for chucks with the bark off, however, this requires placing my order in advance and I've noticed I'm losing value because the de-bakred wood is slightly smaller than the standard.

Was reading other forums where folks where stating that the bark could make the meat taste bitter, any truth to this?

Thoughts?

Johnny
 
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Bob Bass said:
Johnny...

Is this the Woodshed in the city of Orange ?
I like to promote them since they are a BIG contributor to BBQ, CBBQA, and also have their own Pro BBQ Team.
And Very Good People too...

Bob
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Yes, yes it is Bob... Patty has been amazing to work with and soo very nice to me, even gave me a free rub for waiting on an order for a week. I'd never go anywhere else and will take one other their bbq classes soon (I believe you pointed me in that direction Bob). :)
 
As a dog lover, I am very pro bark. :) seriously, I've never noticed a difference. I'm guessing there are those who disagree.
 
Depends on the wood. Nut-woods can show signs of mold/mildew or fungus, Fruit-woods can be treated with a topical spray like pesticides.
Either way you don't have to remove bark, just add your chunks to the top of the chimney and burn off any nasties.

Tim
 
Bark is on the outside and catches dirt, dust, mold, etc. It may not make a difference, but IMHO, it is better to err on the side of "better". When considering the cost of the WSM, meat, rubs, charcoal, etc, and the relatively small amount of wood chunks used when smoking, removing the bark is minimal.

I have taken a pile of bark ant tried to burn it, which did not burn well but emitted a nasty looking smoke. Granted, you don't use pure bark, but after seeing that, I prefer to not have any heavy bark in my WSM when smoking.

However, if it is thin smooth bark I do not worry; just the heavy bark is removed and it is usually easy to knock off with an ax or hatchet.
 
timothy said:
Depends on the wood. Nut-woods can show signs of mold/mildew or fungus, Fruit-woods can be treated with a topical spray like pesticides.
Either way you don't have to remove bark, just add your chunks to the top of the chimney and burn off any nasties.

Tim
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This is something I hadn't considered.... I place my wood chucks under charcoal so in the chimney is not really an option.

Looking that the chucks I had (with bark) the only one it's really heavy on is the red oak (coastal live oak). I have some cherry with the bark on and it's thin.

jfortson said:
Bark is on the outside and catches dirt, dust, mold, etc. It may not make a difference, but IMHO, it is better to err on the side of "better". When considering the cost of the WSM, meat, rubs, charcoal, etc, and the relatively small amount of wood chunks used when smoking, removing the bark is minimal.

I have taken a pile of bark ant tried to burn it, which did not burn well but emitted a nasty looking smoke. Granted, you don't use pure bark, but after seeing that, I prefer to not have any heavy bark in my WSM when smoking.

However, if it is thin smooth bark I do not worry; just the heavy bark is removed and it is usually easy to knock off with an ax or hatchet.
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I hear ya....

Thanks for the input everyone.

Johnny
 
Mac LA said:
This is something I hadn't considered.... I place my wood chucks under charcoal so in the chimney is not really an option.

Johnny
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Your just pre-heating the chunks till smoldering and that will burn off any surface residue. Once you dump the chimney the chunks will be under the lit charcoal, but if you want to bury them under the unlit, than remove with tongs.

OBTW, I just noticed your Avitar.. Good lookin pooch,, Mastiff?

Tim
 
timothy said:
Your just pre-heating the chunks till smoldering and that will burn off any surface residue. Once you dump the chimney the chunks will be under the lit charcoal, but if you want to bury them under the unlit, than remove with tongs.

OBTW, I just noticed your Avitar.. Good lookin pooch,, Mastiff?

Tim
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Gotcha. Good tip!

Thanks; that's my crazy lil guy, BoBo; he's actually a horse coat Chinese Shar Pei, but I could totally see how his face looks like a mastiff. He keeps me sane. hahah
 
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