making wood chips for smoking

[Lauri]

So I had this brilliant idea, to take felled hickory tree branches and use them in my smoker........now I am having second thoughts.

There is green lichen/moss on the bark, My husband is thinkin I'm trying to kill him.

A google search came up with nothing on "homemade" wood chips.


Any thoughts or ideas?

Thank You

[artificer]

Bark is not used in smoking chips. The first thing you would do with your wood is to get rid of the bark. Next is to rent a wood chipper, unless you already have one, and chip the wood.

Are the wood pieces smallish? (under 4" diameter) If so, then a pull type hardware rental machine can handle them. If they are under 2", then a home chipper can do the job. De-barking small branches will be fun.

I've never tried this, so don't know if the bark will come off easier green, or after the branches have had a chance to dry.

Hmmmm... we have hickory trees. I have a 55 gal drum, metal working equipment, and 1/2 a hog coming in sometime this fall... hmmm.... (As Ann comes running with a big stick to beat me with for thinking up another project, until I entice her with hickory smoked bacon...)


Michael

Edit: forgot to mention: after you chip the wood, spread the chips out in the sun to dry. On a tarp is good. When dry, store in a dry place in bags/boxes/cans until ready to use.

[Kmac15]

Artificer, home smoked bacon is a treat not to be missed YUM< YUM

[Bearfootfarm]

If you remove the bark, then youre done.
No need to make "chips" just to make smoke

[Oggie]

Wood chips are too difficult to smoke. You suck hard as you can ... you still can't get a decent draw.

[Lauri]

Oggie your killin me

[NCLee]

Remove the bark.
Small branches done need anything more done to them. Larger ones can be cut into short lengths and then split, like splitting firewood. Use a support of some kind so that you don't split your hand with that axe or hatchet.

Let your "chips" season (dry) for about 6 months or so before using.

Lee

[MushCreek]

The ones you buy at the big box store have plenty of bark in them- at least the chunks do. I would de-bark it, though. I use chunks, rather than chips. I'm going to harvest some when we go to our property next month.