Finding Wood in California

[Single Fin Smoker]

Hello and best wishes to all in the BBQ Brethren. I've been reading the Brethren in my yahoo groups for some time now. I'm unsure of my capabilities of adding anything of substance to this think tank other than maybe a few recipies.
I'm quite sure however that I can learn much from all of you.

Quick history: I've been grilling for many years, but have recently purchased a char broil smoker. I've been using a mix of charcoal and Mesquite chunks(purchased from wal-mart) with good-excellent results.

I'm looking for Mesquite logs to cook with, but its damn hard to find here in So Cal. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Arlin_MacRae]

Welcome, Single Fin Smoker!

I copied this thread over into Cattle Call where we intro ourselves, so you'll get responses of a different sort over there.

To answer your wood question: Do you have Academy Sports where you are? I believe they ship mesquite, hickory, and pecan to all their stores.

Of course there are a lot of CaliFOs out there that will chime in shortly.

Welcome!

Arlin

 

[Mark]

Make a road trip to Tucson

 

[minijosh]

Mark took my idea. There is a ton of mesquite trees in southern az.

 

[big brother smoke]

Where are you located specifically?

 

[Single Fin Smoker]

Hey Arlin & big brother!!
I'm located in Orange County, Huntington Beach to be exact. None of the local fire wood places have any.
I mean, I can't complain. My method of Charcoal and the mesquite chunks from wal mart have worked pretty good. My 6-9 pound briskets tastes like magic.

 

[Yakfishingfool]

I heard giant redwood is a very nice smoke...light in flavor and apparently one tree will last several smokes

welcome to the site!

 

[big brother smoke]

I am looking forward to driving south and shopping here for cherry, etc.

http://www.firewoodinsandiego.com/

 

[Bigmista]

Hey Arlin & big brother!!
I'm located in Orange County, Huntington Beach to be exact. None of the local fire wood places have any.
I mean, I can't complain. My method of Charcoal and the mesquite chunks from wal mart have worked pretty good. My 6-9 pound briskets tastes like magic.

I guess the question is, "If your briskets taste that good, why do you want to change?" I cook with the mesquite chunks in the 40lb bag from Smart and Final and the Hickory chunks from Walmart.

When Sami comes back he might be able to help more. He lives in Huntington Beach and he has a stick burner.

 

[ThomEmery]

Drop by www.cbbqa.com for more ideas

 

[Norcoredneck]

When looking I found these
http://www.calchar.com/index.html
http://firewoodcenter.com/findfirewood.shtml
http://www.nakedwhiz.com/lumpindexpage.htm?bag

Maybe if you have to make a minimum buy you, Bigmista, others, and myself can get together.

 

[Single Fin Smoker]

Niiiiiiiice!!!!
You guys are AWSOME!
Thanks for all the info. Mr. Redneck & Big Bro, I wrote emails to Cal char and San Diego fire woods. I'm able to get to those areas.
So Stoked!!!!

 

[Norcoredneck]

I was warned and believe me it's true. If you buy Mesquite charcoal an Smart & Final be careful, it really sparks and sends off quite a fireworks show.

 

[Mark]

Mark took my idea. There is a ton of mesquite trees in southern az.

"But wait! There's more!"

Get there on the Mexican side of the border. A real adventure never to be forgotten. TJ to Nogalez. Some of the best, and worst, of Mexico.

 

[Bigmista]

I was warned and believe me it's true. If you buy Mesquite charcoal an Smart & Final be careful, it really sparks and sends off quite a fireworks show.

Yup. Kinda cool at night.

 

[Single Fin Smoker]

I used a mix wal mart mesquite chunks & "Best of the West" charcoal on my last Brisket. That stuff burned pretty even for me.
My smoker is an offset Char Broil-Home Depot special. Best money I ever spent.....

Anyone want some Hawaiian style bbq recipies?

 

[Norcoredneck]

I think everyone is always up for something new. Post pics if possible, you know # 1-5 lunch plates just like the restraunts.

 

[ThomEmery]

We cleared 80 acers of Grapes a few months ago
That sure burns nice in the Klose very mild
You want some?

 

[Mark]

We cleared 80 acers of Grapes a few months ago
That sure burns nice in the Klose very mild
You want some?

Grape is a very desirable wood for smoking. Mine isn't that mild.

I'd jump on this one.

 

[ThomEmery]

Not Mild HUMM These are from Table Grapes not Wine Grapes.
That maybe the difference? As mild as Apple