Can I pull embers out of my wood burning stove/fireplace and cook with them in a hibachi?

[hedonsmbot]

Are the coals produced by firewood unsuitable or unhealthy to cook with?

Was the learned sage Dale Gribble correct when he said: "Burn is burn"?

[sudsandswine]

If wood embers from firewood are unhealthy, I suppose I have some issues with all my stick burner cooking. As long as "firewood" doesn't mean treated lumber or railroad ties, you're probably fine.

[JAKs Q & brew]

As long as it is hardwood there shouldn't be any issues. I believe coals produced from soft wood (pine) would still produce a ton of undesirable flavors

[frayedend]

Around me a lot of stuff labeled "firewood" or even "hardwood firewood" can have a lot of black locust. Not a good BBQ wood. Has toxic compound in it and smells bad from what I've heard.

[BBQLab]

Sure. Use hardwoods and avoid anything like pine or Douglas Fir. Yes I have to say this because a neighbor thought he could use the old Christmas tree to cook his family and friends dinner on last summer.

[BackYardRob]

I particularly remember from my Boy Scout days to never EVER use Dogwood for cooking, or even campfires. It gives off a greenish flame, and it will wreak absolute havoc on your stomach!!

[LordRiffenstein]

2 things I always wonder about regarding the use of pine:

- once it has become embers, how can there be anything bad left
- how did the vikings survive, in large parts of Scandinavia, pine is the only wood available

[JIMSMOKES]

Originally Posted by LordRiffenstein

2 things I always wonder about regarding the use of pine:

- once it has become embers, how can there be anything bad left
- how did the vikings survive, in large parts of Scandinavia, pine is the only wood available

All their food tasted like gin.

[jimstocks53]

Originally Posted by LordRiffenstein

2 things I always wonder about regarding the use of pine:

- once it has become embers, how can there be anything bad left
- how did the vikings survive, in large parts of Scandinavia, pine is the only wood available

Good points.

I suspect you are correct. The pine resins which are responsible for pines' smell are volatile and by the time coals are left, should probably be long gone. But if cooking in a pot, even fresh pine shouldn't matter.

But an experiment is warranted - just not with an expensive piece of meat.

Let us know.

[frayedend]

Originally Posted by LordRiffenstein

2 things I always wonder about regarding the use of pine:

- once it has become embers, how can there be anything bad left
- how did the vikings survive, in large parts of Scandinavia, pine is the only wood available

Lots of birch in Finland. I can't say if it was there in Viking times but there's lots of it now. My Muslim co-worker commented, "Even the trees are white!"

[Inthewoods]

I drop a bit of dead standing pine. Wood heat and all. My experiences with pine is this...don't expect many usable coals or embers as it burns hot and fast. It just burns up.
Pulling coals from yer wood stove isn't practical anyhow. Go get a barrel or just light it off in yer yard.

-D