It's a wonderful world of smoke and what I have read on the topic of "woods for smoking" is amazing and often contradictory, though I have yet to note anyone smoking with walnut, there probably is somewhere! Years ago, I had to remove a lilac "bush" that was 6' in diameter to make way for an addition to our home. I cut it all into lengths to fit the firebox of my Brinkman "Professional" (which I still use occasionally) and allowed it to dry for about 6 months before using it. To me, it did not provide a pleasing aroma, but I tried a couple of burgers with it and the flavor was as bitter as the smoke... perhaps it was something about the soil, or even something a previous owner had used to fertilized it, but based on that experience I have never considered using it. Naturally, I was surprised to discover that folks ARE smoking with it. Glad they're enjoying it, but am not certain that I could ever bring myself to try it again, even if I had access to it. (once burnt, twice shy... or something like that)
