New to Smoking

[cris993703]

Hi all, I was just checking this site yesterday found it interesting so thought I'd join. I got a charbroil propane smoker for chistmas. I used it about 5 times so far so good. I modified it a bit. I add bread pans of water to bottom shelf and fill the whole bottom with wood chips.
So what brought me to the site was i drove by an apple orchard yesterday and saw they were trimming the trees for this year and thought I should stop and ask if I can take a bunch of cuttings and dry them for next year. Then I wouldn't have to pay outrageous prices at the store for the chips. Any suggestions as to the drying process? Should I cut the pieces small? just take twigs?

 

[SmokinAl]

First off, Welcome to SMF!!

You just need to stack the logs & let them dry out over time then cut them up. I think you can use wood chunks in your smoker instead if chips. I have a Smoke Vault & use chunks in it. I make my own out of wood splits cut on a chop saw.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/242787/cheap-wood-chunks-free-sawdust

Here's the chunks in my chip tray.

3-6-16 16.JPG

• SmokinAl
• Mar 8, 2016

Hope this helps!

Al

 

[joe black]

Welcome from SC. It's good to have you on this great site. I would use chunks. Easier to cut and a better smoke.

 

[gary s]

  Good afternoon and welcome to the forum, from a wet and soggy day here in East Texas, and the best site on the web. Lots of great people with tons of information on just about  everything.

Looks Good 

Gary