What is the easiest and safest way to split the CS chunks in to 2 pieces? I like mixing woods during smokes and for small amounts of food 2 2 0z chunks is too much wood.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I use a wood chisel and a mallet on my workbench. I put the chunk with the grain running up and down, position the chisel on the top where I want it to split and give it a whack. It splits very easily and I haven't lost any fingers yet 
I do the same thing with an axe and whack it with a hammer. I use a plank of wood to absorb the shock and protect my work bench. Wear safety goggles.
No sharp tools for me. I use that big slotted screwdriver and hammer.
Might warn you that sometimes them little ones add smoke faster then one might think they would.
Might warn you that sometimes them little ones add smoke faster then one might think they would.
a chainsaw works great, but have a friend or wife hold the wood chunk. it is dangerous to hold the chunk in one hand and the saw in the other. remember, both hands on the chainsaw
quote:Originally posted by Sweet Michael:
a chainsaw works great, but have a friend or wife hold the wood chunk. it is dangerous to hold the chunk in one hand and the saw in the other. remember, both hands on the chainsaw
Friend or WIFE hold the wood chunk, I'll tell you right now if I asked my wife to hold a wood chunk to make it smaller I wouldn't have to worry about no freakin wood chunks.
I use my wife's band saw, works real nice, just watch the fingers.
I bought a small band saw from sears, and if get chunks to big for the smoker, as I will pick up a bag of hickory or have a friend send me some pecan it is easy to make into the size you want and the small bandsaw takes up little room.
The chainsaw and wife remarks were an attempt at humor. I guess if I have to explain my jokes they aren't that funny. If you attempt this you
" might be a redneck "
" might be a redneck "
I thought it was pretty funny.
Another option is,most wood can be bought for almost nothing at the box stores,or picked up along the road.
Most of us,the wood grows old/dry/moldy and we must throw it away.
Short smokes,we probably won't oversmoke,long smokes we grumble about too little smoke.
If we are concerned,put the wood at the far end of the wood box,and it won't burn up and oversmoke,and no waste-because we have now made charcoal,which is good for next time,and might even improve smokering-for those folks that care.
I know this takes away a lot of prethought from folks that like to do that,but I've found that it almost always works in emergency,and I can get on with cooking and dining,which is what I enjoy.
Just a couple of thoughts.
Most of us,the wood grows old/dry/moldy and we must throw it away.
Short smokes,we probably won't oversmoke,long smokes we grumble about too little smoke.
If we are concerned,put the wood at the far end of the wood box,and it won't burn up and oversmoke,and no waste-because we have now made charcoal,which is good for next time,and might even improve smokering-for those folks that care.
I know this takes away a lot of prethought from folks that like to do that,but I've found that it almost always works in emergency,and I can get on with cooking and dining,which is what I enjoy.
Just a couple of thoughts.