Bark or no bark?

[digger1978]

I ran out of the wood that came with my #1 and wanted to try something different.  The stores by my all have bark on the wood chunks while the wood that came with my unit was turned on a lathe with the bark removed.  What are the pros/cons to using bark?  Also if it is really dry, can I soak it a little bit or will you get a creosote taste with wet bark?

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[NDKoze]

In general, I typically remove the bark as I have heard it can impart and off flavor/taste.

For as little wood that we go through with these efficient smokers, I would recommend getting some good smoking wood from a quality supplier rather than what is available via the big box stores. From what I have read here most of the big box store wood is kiln dried and too dry in general for our smokers. If you have some that you want to use to get rid of, some have soaked and/or placed the wood in foil packets with holes poked in it.

Here are some suppliers that have compiled:

• Obvioulsy Smokin-It - http://www.smokin-it.com/category_s/32.htm
• Fuita Wood - http://www.fruitawoodchunks.com
• Maine Grilling Woods - http://www.mainegrillingwoods.com/
• Waltons - http://www.waltonsinc.com/c-379-wood-chunks.aspx

I bought an extra bag of the hickory dowels and cherry from Smokin-It when I bought my smoker. So I am pretty well set on the basic two that many use. The hickory from SI is the best that I have used and I have tried 4-5 different kinds with my previous smokers. I may try some fruit woods at some point too.

I have been splitting my dowels and my cherry as the pieces for the most part are pretty big and splitting tends to let them burn more evenly. In order to do a split of say hickory and Cherry and keep the weight in the 2-3 ounce range you almost have to split them.

Most of the chunks that you will get in the big box stores as well as the suppliers that I listed above will still need to be split.

I have heard that either or maybe both Fruita Wood and Maine Grilling Woods have what they call a CookShack or an electric smoker cut that they can do if you ask for it. I don't see this special cut listed on their site unless I am just missing it.

Hopefully this helps.

[Walt]

No bark.

[DivotMaker]

Much of the wood I've received from Fruitawood, and Maine Grilling Wood, has some bark.  From what I've read, bark can be a problem if a) it's not thoroughly cleaned (which both of these suppliers do), and b) it's too dry.  Much of the bad flavor from bark is actually what's on the bark, not the bark itself.  In my experience, it's almost impossible to find many fruit woods without some bark.  I've never noticed any difference in the taste of meat from quality wood with or without bark.

[digger1978]

I appreciate everyones feedback.  I will have to get my hatchet out and try to shave the bark off.  I bought the wood from Cabela's so I don't if anyone on here has used their wood.  I guess I will have to try and see what happens.  If I get creosote or bitter flavor, I will use the above references and mail order some wood. 

On another note, I see the professionals using the log with bark in their large smokers.  I am guessing they are using the log for both heat and smoke while are units are electric.  Just curious how they don't get the creosote?

[NDKoze]

Like Tony said, if it is quality wood that has been cleaned, the bark should not be a problem.

In my experience, my bags of wood with bark on it, a lot of the bark came off on its own in the bag. If it is really stuck on the wood, you could try using the hatchet to knowck it off or just giving it shot and using it with the bark on.

I haven't tried any wood with bark in my electric smoker, but I have used it in my propane smoker and do not remember any bad taste.

[benjammn]

I never use the bark, just because I don't feel that it will do what I want. Throw that in the fireplace.

The stick burners don't really care since the wood burns completely at a higher temp than what we do.

[es1025]

I used fruitawood with and without bark.  No issues.  The company provides excellent wood. BTW, the cherry wood is really good.