Sourcing Wood

[pabbqnewb]

Living in Texas, sourcing wood for our hungry smokers is no big deal but now I live in central PA am and having a bit of trouble as BBQ isn't as huge up here. How do you all that don't live in the south source your splits for your stick burners?

[Stlsportster]

Craigslist....

https://pennstate.craigslist.org/grd...724364382.html

[frayedend]

I had this question too. Being in Massachusetts, there are lots of places selling firewood. But how the heck can I identify the species. Mostly it's probably oak. But I don't want to get stuck using something I shouldn't. There could be black locust mixed in and that would suck.

I mostly use charcoal and wood chunks I buy in bags but I want to go 100% wood.

[bgross88]

Like Sportster said, use Craigslist. There's a ton of wood for sale in our area(I'm near Hershey), but I checked Craigslist and found some good looking stuff between here and State College.

Once you find someone you like, I'd recommend staying with them. You might be able to order custom sized splits/wood types/etc.

[pabbqnewb]

Originally Posted by bgross88

Like Sportster said, use Craigslist. There's a ton of wood for sale in our area(I'm near Hershey), but I checked Craigslist and found some good looking stuff between here and State College.

Once you find someone you like, I'd recommend staying with them. You might be able to order custom sized splits/wood types/etc.

That makes sense! How do you ensure though that the wood has been properly stored, seasoned, and isn't too green? Are you just going out on a limb by trusting what these guys say or are there steps you can take to inspect the wood yourself before a large purchase?

[northof8]

I cut mine myself but if I had to, I would just find someone who cuts up oak for firewood and buy from them. Check the papers, around here there are a number of people selling oak by the 1/2 or full cord and PA should have the same. You should be able to go talk to them and make sure you are getting good stuff.

[Pedro7]

We found our last load of cherry on facebook marketplace in PA. He wasn't too far into the state from NJ, but I can get his contact info for you if you want if you don't think it's too far..

[NickTheGreat]

My Craigslist usually has guys willing to give you a tree if you cut it down. So if you know your trees and have some time, you could get a fair amount of wood fairly easiliy.

[Stlsportster]

Originally Posted by pabbqnewb

That makes sense! How do you ensure though that the wood has been properly stored, seasoned, and isn't too green? Are you just going out on a limb by trusting what these guys say or are there steps you can take to inspect the wood yourself before a large purchase?

Generally these guys make good money by splitting and seasoning their own wood, to deliver the next season.

I've been getting wood from random Craigslist sellers for years. I've had some thats too green...some thats overly dry..and I have had some where they criss-cross stack it which gives you less wood. You can always refuse it when they show up if its obviously dirty or too green.

Once you find a good supplier....order from them again. One of the guys I have used will even call me every fall and see if I'm in the market.

And, even when the wood was greener or dryer than I prefer....it still worked well enough until I could find another source....or let it season a bit more.

[SmittyJonz]

$40 moisture meter.........

[Monkey Uncle]

Good lord, son, you're in Pennsylvania! There are hardwood trees everywhere!

As many others have noted, check craigslist, ads in the paper, look for signs by the road, random trucks full of wood parked by the road, etc.

Do your best to learn how to identify species of wood. It takes time and practice. Find a good reference book that shows pictures of bark and leaves. It helps if you have a friend who knows wood and can go along with you to shop. If you have the means, cut your own wood. There's no better way to learn how to ID wood and get a feel for what good hardwood looks and feels like.

The good news is that the vast majority of hardwoods in PA are at least passably good for smoking. Stay away from anything that is light and pithy, like sycamore, aspen, tulip tree, basswood, and tree of heaven. Black locust is pretty much the only dense hardwood that would be bad for cooking.

When you're looking at a stack of wood that someone else cut and split, it is difficult to tell if it is seasoned. Checking cracks on the ends of the wood tells you that it has at least started to dry out, but they can be misleading. I've seen checking cracks form on wood that has only been cut and split for a few weeks. Smitty suggested a moisture meter. I've never used one because I cut my own wood and I always know how long it has really been seasoning, but if you're buying wood, I think a meter would come in quite handy.

[pabbqnewb]

Originally Posted by Monkey Uncle

Good lord, son, you're in Pennsylvania! There are hardwood trees everywhere!

As many others have noted, check craigslist, ads in the paper, look for signs by the road, random trucks full of wood parked by the road, etc.

Do your best to learn how to identify species of wood. It takes time and practice. Find a good reference book that shows pictures of bark and leaves. It helps if you have a friend who knows wood and can go along with you to shop. If you have the means, cut your own wood. There's no better way to learn how to ID wood and get a feel for what good hardwood looks and feels like.

The good news is that the vast majority of hardwoods in PA are at least passably good for smoking. Stay away from anything that is light and pithy, like sycamore, aspen, tulip tree, basswood, and tree of heaven. Black locust is pretty much the only dense hardwood that would be bad for cooking.

When you're looking at a stack of wood that someone else cut and split, it is difficult to tell if it is seasoned. Checking cracks on the ends of the wood tells you that it has at least started to dry out, but they can be misleading. I've seen checking cracks form on wood that has only been cut and split for a few weeks. Smitty suggested a moisture meter. I've never used one because I cut my own wood and I always know how long it has really been seasoning, but if you're buying wood, I think a meter would come in quite handy.

Thanks everyone! This is a ton of good advice...I'll look into some moisture readers as well.

[EdF]

Originally Posted by SmittyJonz

$40 moisture meter.........

Maybe even cheaper! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[EdF]

Here's a nice summary of the qualities of different woods for cooking: https://kbq.us/bbq-edu/wood-selection/

This one will help you identify which is which: Virginia Tech Tree Identification app. Should be available for Android and i-thingy, possibly also online https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...e.agps21&hl=en

[medic92]

Another avenue is local tree services. Talk to them and have them get in touch if they're removing trees you'd like to have for smoking. Some will sell it to you cheap and some will give it to you free, especially if you offer to feed them now and then.