Alder wood

[roknrandy]

My buddy that has the saw mill ask me if I wanted to get some Alder?? Anyone use this wood? I've got oak, maple, cherry an like them but I havent used this one. I assume its a mild smoke.

 

[wnkt]

They use Alder a lot in the Northwest.....smoking fish mostly I believe.

 

[Rockaway BeachBQ]

yes, it is a mild smoke.

 

[roknrandy]

Thanks, Ill grab some next time I'm out and give it a try

 

[CarbonToe]

I use it when smoking fish.

Gut and scale whole fish (I like Trout or Mackerel), fill stomach cavity with a soft herb (such as parsley or tyme) and then smoke over Alder.

Just eat in Rolls (Mackerels are nice with Malt Vinegar splashed all over them).

Works well on a Grill as well.

 

[beerguy]

Randy, alder is great smoke on anything, including pork, when you dont want heavy smoke. My wife hates the smoke , but she puts up with alder since its light, sweet and tastes great. we use it for fish all the time, but like I said, its good with everything Ive tried. Get all the wood you can, cause its hard to find around here in VA in the stores. Hickory rules. Used to get bags of chucks of alder at BBQ Galore, but none of those stores around me anymore in the Fredericksburg area.

 

[thirdeye]

Alder is a good wood to mix other woods with. I use it when grilling salmon to get a light smoke flavor. It is mild enough that you can still taste the seasonings and most important, it won't overpower the salmon.

 

[david]

Not just for fish, although salmon over an alder fire is traditional. We use it for everything up here. Splits very well wet or dry, and burns quickly. I use it right away after cutting it, and its thoroughly dry within in about 6 months sitting out in the yard. I sent some to phil a couple years ago.

Alder is one of the few hardwoods that really grows natively up here (I know there are others, but they aren't as widespread). It helps that I have a free unlimited supply of the stuff. Its just 4 hours south of me, and have to cut it myself. Reminds me that I need to cut another tree down soon.

 

[Ron_L]

Hmmm... I have an alder in the front yard. I wonder if anyone would notice if it went missing... :-D

Great looking Salmon, Thirdeye!

 

[roknrandy]

Randy, alder is great smoke on anything, including pork, when you dont want heavy smoke. My wife hates the smoke , but she puts up with alder since its light, sweet and tastes great. we use it for fish all the time, but like I said, its good with everything Ive tried. Get all the wood you can, cause its hard to find around here in VA in the stores. Hickory rules. Used to get bags of chucks of alder at BBQ Galore, but none of those stores around me anymore in the Fredericksburg area.

Beerguy, Luckly I don't have to buy my wood, My friend saves all the ends for me and he calls to let me know when a load is ready. I normaly get a mix of cherry, oak, hickory and maple. When I called the other day he asked me about the alder and I said I would ask you guys to see if its used and what for. I'll stop by in the next couple of weeks and grab some.

Thanks for all the information everyone

 

[Mark]

That's a damn good friend you got there Randy. I get my wood for free to but its usually in the form of a green tree. Good exercise though.

 

[beerguy]

Looks great! Mix some up, as the bro's say. When I burn alder all the dogs around me the neighborhood sit by the fences noses in the air, trying to catcha wiff. Take that sawmill friend a bottle of the best liquor you can find. Freebies like that are hard to beat!