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What do you think, article I got off the internet.


Q: What makes kiln dried wood different than seasoned/naturally dried wood?

A: This is simple. Once a tree is harvested, especially fruit trees, it begins to loose its flavor extremely quick. Generally within 30 days of being harvested the wood will only have half of its flavor content left and it looses more and more as time progresses. Six to eight months later there will be virtually no flavor left in the wood and it is pointless to smoke with. Kiln drying is done immediately after harvesting (usually the same day) which locks in all the flavors and instantly stops the wood from loosing any flavor or decaying.

Q: What is the shelf life of kiln dried wood compared to seasoned/naturally dried wood?

A: Naturally dried/seasoned wood has a shelf life of about 6 months from the date it is cut down. The problem with this is it takes about 5 months for it to naturally dry so when you receive it, it must be used instantly. Kiln dried wood has a shelf life of 3+ years (will last even longer if kept in a cool dark place). A piece of 2 year old kiln dried wood will have more flavor than a 6 month old season piece of wood.

Edit: I cut all the garbage in my original post after receiving Tom's post, it was too much to waddle though as can be seen by Tom's opening line.
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Shorter article on burning wood.

There are about 6 to 8 folks on the forum that can tell what wood they smoked with,after about 15 hrs.

Maybe only 5 to 7?

Practice on a $2 fryer chicken.

If not enough smoke taste-add more wood.

Too much flavor-use less.

Tastes good-put in notes and use again.

Tastes bad-put in notes and don't use again.

If you think it has been sprayed with pesticides,or has "stuff" all over it,or is rotted don't use.

If apprears green/fresh-probably put off using 3-4 months.

Focus 95% of time/efforts on learning to COOK the product correctly.

Divide the other 5% on wood/rub/sauce/color of T shirt to wear/music to listen to.

Just my $0.02 Wink
Good information bubbasz1. Always wondered why I couldn't pick up fruit type flavor when using fruitwoods. Just noticed that the smoke flavor was lighter versus hickory or mesquite.

Both posts are very interesting, however, it's nice having Tom remind us about the important stuff. Kinda brings us back to earth with a common sense approach. This way I don't have to worry about how many grains of garlic, salt or sugar I should be adding to a rub for 6.79 lbs of baby back ribs. With wood I just try using a lighter wood on salmon or poultry and heavier on pork butt, roasts or brisket. Wish my taste buds could do better than that although I can tell the difference with hickory and mesquite now.
quote:
Originally posted by bubbasz1:...Six to eight months later there will be virtually no flavor left in the wood and it is pointless to smoke with....
I cut up some old growth apple trees last year. Wood smelled like apples for a month or so. By the time it dried enough to use it had no particular fragrance. I use it mixed with other hardwood but don't prefer it over hickory/pecan. Wonder if the CS would double as a kiln?
quote:
Naturally dried/seasoned wood has a shelf life of about 6 months from the date it is cut down. The problem with this is it takes about 5 months for it to naturally dry so when you receive it, it must be used instantly.


I have to disagree with this statement. I have boxes of wood in the garage, some of which have sit for a year or more. the wood still makes for a good smoke.

Maple will keep it's sweetness for years.

Don't know where this guy was coming from but his experience is sure different than mine.

All FWIW...! Big Grin
quote:
Originally posted by Wheelz:...I have boxes of wood in the garage, some of which have sit for a year or more. the wood still makes for a good smoke.
Was this fruitwood? I've got year old pecan, hickory, and oak that IS excellent but the applewood was never anything special. Bad wood or just my tastes?
quote:
Originally posted by bubbasz1:
What do you think, article I got off the internet.


Where? It's good to quote it so we know who's saying it. Got a link?

But I'm with Tom. Very few people can tell what wood is smoking by EATING it. Now, when they smell the wood burning, that's different, but I've found a lot of people's taste buds can't taste it, because of the rubs, sauces, etc. Might make a big difference in a big offset burning logs, but for a couple of chunks, I wouldn't sweat it. Too many other things to enjoy when Q'in.

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