Wood source question

Lytnin · 11-17-2011, 12:46 PM

So I have yet to get my WSM (prolly get me one for a xmas present) but I have been looking around to see where I can get wood fairly cheap. Now I have the luxury of working at a technical college where we have a cabinetmaking and millworking program. I actually went through the course a year ago and they have a really nice setup. In the lab they have a bin for scraps that are too small to do anything important with. They dump this bin every week in the dumpster, however they allow anybody that wants to grab scrap for firewood to do so for free.

Now I know that some lumber is chemically treated but all of the stuff they work with and require students to bring in is rough, untreated lumber. So I'm guessing that as long as I'm careful and can identify anything that may be treated that this stuff would be just as good as anything I could get anyplace else, correct? I mean they basically take a rough sawn board from a tree, run it through a planer & jointer, cut it down to size and then pitch the scraps so it should be safe to use. It would just be some of the prettiest looking firewood I'll ever use.

I have poked around in the bin a couple of times and seen lots of oak, not as much cherry, some walnut and a rare hickory piece. Lots of crappy pine and poplar to sort out and they keep the plywood in a separate bin so no worries there.

Thoughts?

BobBrisket · 11-17-2011, 12:50 PM

As long as you can be certain that it wasn't treated and what type of wood it is, then by all means you can use it! I'd stock up if I was you! Free is even better.

Bob

Hankdad1 · 11-17-2011, 12:52 PM

Sounds like a great opportunity to me.

tish · 11-17-2011, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lytnin

So I have yet to get my WSM (prolly get me one for a xmas present) but I have been looking around to see where I can get wood fairly cheap. Now I have the luxury of working at a technical college where we have a cabinetmaking and millworking program. I actually went through the course a year ago and they have a really nice setup. In the lab they have a bin for scraps that are too small to do anything important with. They dump this bin every week in the dumpster, however they allow anybody that wants to grab scrap for firewood to do so for free.

Now I know that some lumber is chemically treated but all of the stuff they work with and require students to bring in is rough, untreated lumber. So I'm guessing that as long as I'm careful and can identify anything that may be treated that this stuff would be just as good as anything I could get anyplace else, correct? I mean they basically take a rough sawn board from a tree, run it through a planer & jointer, cut it down to size and then pitch the scraps so it should be safe to use. It would just be some of the prettiest looking firewood I'll ever use.

I have poked around in the bin a couple of times and seen lots of oak, not as much cherry, some walnut and a rare hickory piece. Lots of crappy pine and poplar to sort out and they keep the plywood in a separate bin so no worries there.

Thoughts?

I'd be backing the car right up to the bin. Jump on it!

Divemaster · 11-17-2011, 01:21 PM

The only thing I would worry about is how dry it is. If I recall, wood used for furniture is normally around 5-7%. If that is the case, you are going to find that it’s going to want to burn more than smoke.

My best suggestion is to bring some home once you get your WSM and give it a shot on a couple of fatties. If it works out, grab as much as you can get your hands on.

NRA4Life · 11-17-2011, 01:25 PM

I'm using a lot of hickory scrap that I get from my buddy's hardwood flooring company. It is clean and kiln dried to about 6% moisture content. It is great and burns super clean. Get all that scrap wood that you can, it is good stuff.

razrbakcrzy · 11-17-2011, 03:28 PM

get it, use it, enjoy it!!!

11-17-2011, 12:46 PM	#1
Lytnin Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 05-04-11 Location: Madison, WI Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Wood source question So I have yet to get my WSM (prolly get me one for a xmas present) but I have been looking around to see where I can get wood fairly cheap. Now I have the luxury of working at a technical college where we have a cabinetmaking and millworking program. I actually went through the course a year ago and they have a really nice setup. In the lab they have a bin for scraps that are too small to do anything important with. They dump this bin every week in the dumpster, however they allow anybody that wants to grab scrap for firewood to do so for free. Now I know that some lumber is chemically treated but all of the stuff they work with and require students to bring in is rough, untreated lumber. So I'm guessing that as long as I'm careful and can identify anything that may be treated that this stuff would be just as good as anything I could get anyplace else, correct? I mean they basically take a rough sawn board from a tree, run it through a planer & jointer, cut it down to size and then pitch the scraps so it should be safe to use. It would just be some of the prettiest looking firewood I'll ever use. I have poked around in the bin a couple of times and seen lots of oak, not as much cherry, some walnut and a rare hickory piece. Lots of crappy pine and poplar to sort out and they keep the plywood in a separate bin so no worries there. Thoughts?

11-17-2011, 12:50 PM	#2
BobBrisket Moderator Join Date: 12-11-07 Location: El Paso, TX Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	As long as you can be certain that it wasn't treated and what type of wood it is, then by all means you can use it! I'd stock up if I was you! Free is even better. Bob __________________ UDS, Pit Barrel Cooker-Courtesy of Poobah, WSM, 22.5 Weber Kettles-K and DR Stamped, 18.5 Weber Bar-B-Kettle, Weber 18.5 Smokey Joe Platinum, Weber Genesis Silver B, Lil' Chief Smoker, Lodge Sportman Grill, Backyard Fire Pit, Dutch Ovens, Discada Set Up, Turkey Fryer! BobBrisket Jr.-MUDS, WSJ Silver My BEST Compliment......"You're a good cooker, Dad!"--My Son. DAN!

11-17-2011, 12:52 PM	#3
Hankdad1 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 05-07-10 Location: Twin Cities, MN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Sounds like a great opportunity to me. __________________ WSM, Green stainless Performer, Genesis 3000, 2 18.5" Weber kettles, C-G Akorn.

11-17-2011, 01:21 PM	#5
Divemaster somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 09-23-07 Location: North Side of Chicago Illinois Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The only thing I would worry about is how dry it is. If I recall, wood used for furniture is normally around 5-7%. If that is the case, you are going to find that it’s going to want to burn more than smoke. My best suggestion is to bring some home once you get your WSM and give it a shot on a couple of fatties. If it works out, grab as much as you can get your hands on. __________________ Jeff CBJ# 23376 Stockcar BBQ Race Fast, Cook Slow, and Enjoy Life! If it don't come off a smoker, it's just a side dish! Lang 60 Patio (The Mistress), Black Stainless Lang 36 (Little Princess), Large BGE (Ramona), Big Green UDS (Cottage Cooker), Brinkman SnP Pro (Little Bubba-Retired), 8 Burner Gasser, 3 - 22.5" & 1 - 18" (circa 1975) Weber Grills, & a Weber Smoky Joe.

11-17-2011, 01:25 PM	#6
NRA4Life is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-07-09 Location: Newark, OH Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'm using a lot of hickory scrap that I get from my buddy's hardwood flooring company. It is clean and kiln dried to about 6% moisture content. It is great and burns super clean. Get all that scrap wood that you can, it is good stuff. __________________ - Kevin Team: Smitty's Real Pit BBQ KCBS CBJ 2 Custom Built Reverse Flow Stickburners 22.5" WSM Weber 26.75" OTG Weber 22.5" OTS Weber Blue 2000 Stainless Performer

11-17-2011, 03:28 PM	#7
razrbakcrzy is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 09-13-11 Location: Fort Smith, Ar. Downloads: 5 Uploads: 1	get it, use it, enjoy it!!! __________________ Jim Boston Current Smoker "The most reliable, easiest to make at home, Smoker "The UDS" W/ an Auber temp. Controller w/ 20CFM Blower. Future Smoker $5438.25 Total BYC Smoker!! Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem. Ronald Reagan, President of the United States; 1985

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