why not experiment on Chicken,I think it is more then a creosote issueFrom what I read this is a no go due to cerasote build up but what if I pre burn it it and just shovel coals? This would be for smoking brisket
The reason I ask is I can cut my own pine (or aspen) for $30 a cord and oak is $400 per cord
Experimentation is a good thing. Do the experiment 2-5 times before making an entire meal for the family or friends.
why not experiment on Chicken,I think it is more then a creosote issue
Richie
I was just about to say basically the same thing. You can burn pine, but its doesn't burn cleanly. When you smoke you want clean heat with flavor. That's why pellets work so well.Live in an area where Ponderosa Pine is pretty much the only native tree. Takes quite a while to season. By the time it is dry a 12" diameter 18" long log is slightly heavier than a paper weight. Have a few neighbors that burn it in the fireplace.....they all have there chimneys cleaned monthly...can only imagine how much "pitch" it would put on the meat...
Have thought about trying to make chunk charcoal from the trees I take down on our roads. Pretty sure by the time it gets cooked down to "charcoal" it would burn just about as fast as you could shovel it in...I was just about to say basically the same thing. You can burn pine, but its doesn't burn cleanly. When you smoke you want clean heat with flavor. That's why pellets work so well.
And aspen, Buddy lives up in the mountains in Colorado and bought 3 cords of aspen for his fireplace and they burned fine expect they were gone in no time. Very light weigh means a lack of density. Middle of the winter he was looking for more wood.
I never heard of anyone trying to make charcoal from pine, and I am betting there is a reason.
Only thing we found Ponderosa Pine(Pecker PolesLive in an area where Ponderosa Pine is pretty much the only native tree. Takes quite a while to season. By the time it is dry a 12" diameter 18" long log is slightly heavier than a paper weight. Have a few neighbors that burn it in the fireplace.....they all have there chimneys cleaned monthly...can only imagine how much "pitch" it would put on the meat...
How long do the Packer Poles last? They in contact with the earth? Neighbor built a gazebo out of Ponderosa, surprised they lasted 12 years or so. But they were all 10" or larger...Only thing we found Ponderosa Pine(Pecker Poles :rolleyes: ) was good for was corral rails and posts to contain the horses. Too sappy to be used for firewood.
Our friend that used the pine poles for his horse fence put them in a year ago. He had quite a few left. They produce a fair amount of heat in his stove in the house. For the short time they are burning.After boring a hole with an auger, most of the posts(10-12") went straight into the ground. The corner posts, we added a bag of concrete for a little extra stability. All of them lasted roughly 10 years before needing to be replaced, rails included.
All of them were exposed to the elements year round, snow, rain, sun. We framed a couple of hay sheds and horse stalls out of them. They were abundant and a permit to cut the Pecker Poles was less than $5 back then.
The rails(6-8") took most of the beating with the horses chewing and leaning over them. The grass always tasted better on the other side.
Taking nothing away from Todd, I have an AMNPS and one of the 18" tubes. Love them both. But like anything else they are,a tool that, while they work fantastic for some things they are limited in their uses. And buying pellets from Todd is a bit pricey. I just picked up a bag of "real" Maple pellets. I paid under $12, tax included, for 20 pounds...Oh No, not pine...not a good idea at all. Time for you to buy a amazn smoker tray from Todd. Then you canuse pellets or the smoke...a lot cheaper and easier.