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Where to buy wood for an offset smoker?
Posted on 7/28/25 at 11:51 am
Posted on 7/28/25 at 11:51 am
Bought my first offset smoker. Got an Oklahoma Joe Highland. It was affordable and my understanding is you can modify it to he at least a solid starter smoker. Prepared to buy some gasket and high heat silicone to plug up any gaps after I put it together.
I have never smoked meat before so looking forward to getting into this. Where can I buy wood for this thing? I am assuming I should not use standard fire wood. Looking for a cost effective supply for now.
Also any tips on what to start with or really anything about smoking would be great.
I have never smoked meat before so looking forward to getting into this. Where can I buy wood for this thing? I am assuming I should not use standard fire wood. Looking for a cost effective supply for now.
Also any tips on what to start with or really anything about smoking would be great.
6
Posted on 7/28/25 at 11:56 am to jlovel7
I'll get boxes at Academy.
Used to collect pecan limbs and such at the ballfield my kid practiced at. Of course alot of it I would have to let sit for months drying out.
Used to collect pecan limbs and such at the ballfield my kid practiced at. Of course alot of it I would have to let sit for months drying out.
Posted on 7/28/25 at 11:58 am to jlovel7
Getting started a good place to buy wood for this offset is Academy. They have several varieties, I always start out with charcoal to get the smoker heated up and then add wood when I start cooking and monitor as it goes along. I enjoy the process, also gives me an excuse to sit and sip bourbon.
Posted on 7/28/25 at 11:59 am to jlovel7
Easiest way to start is to begin with a bed of charcoal. Once it’s white, add wood from there. You need the coals to get the pit hot anyway, so you can begin with coals or wait for a couple of logs to burn down to coals. Charcoal is quicker.
Posted on 7/28/25 at 12:05 pm to jlovel7
Academy has good stuff
the Ace by me does as well
the Ace by me does as well
Posted on 7/28/25 at 12:11 pm to mylsuhat
Sadly I don’t have an academy anywhere near me. Up in VA. Would Lowe have something similar?
Good to know big box store wood is fine. Wasn’t sure if they were outrageously overpriced.
Is there a way to estimate how much wood I would need to get started? Obviously don’t want to buy too little and ruin my cook.
Good to know big box store wood is fine. Wasn’t sure if they were outrageously overpriced.
Is there a way to estimate how much wood I would need to get started? Obviously don’t want to buy too little and ruin my cook.
Posted on 7/28/25 at 12:13 pm to jlovel7
I used to buy bags at academy a decade ago but I haven't in a long time. I just buy a rick of firewood every 8-10 months. I found a local guy who delivers. I've done variety before but my last load was all oak. A neighbor had a cherry tree he started to plane out for boards but it just sat in his garage for 3 years, so I have a bunch of super seasoned cherry now too which is great for pork and chicken. It's fine for beef and venison but I like oak better for those.
I never use any charcoal, I basically make my own by using what's left after the last cook. Just split and light in a chimney, if it's seasoned it'll work fine.
I never use any charcoal, I basically make my own by using what's left after the last cook. Just split and light in a chimney, if it's seasoned it'll work fine.
Posted on 7/28/25 at 12:14 pm to jlovel7
A little bit goes a long way
I would definitely do a dry run. Season the pit that way and practice holding temps.
You can get a lot for $20 and it'll last a while.
I am partial to pecan and post oak
I would definitely do a dry run. Season the pit that way and practice holding temps.
You can get a lot for $20 and it'll last a while.
I am partial to pecan and post oak
This post was edited on 7/28/25 at 12:15 pm
Posted on 7/28/25 at 12:17 pm to mylsuhat
I just did these birds yesterday. Used about 5 chunks of pecan and it had a great smoke flavor and color/ring
>
good charcoal for the fuel, good wood for the flavor
> good charcoal for the fuel, good wood for the flavor
This post was edited on 7/28/25 at 12:18 pm
Posted on 7/28/25 at 12:29 pm to mylsuhat
Am I going to run into problems using chunks vs splits?
Posted on 7/28/25 at 12:31 pm to jlovel7
I am no pro but I find logs are better if you're using wood to keep heat but chunks are better if you use coal for the heat and wood chunks for the smoke
Posted on 7/28/25 at 12:32 pm to jlovel7
You’ll probably want small splits if you use that since the firebox is small
Posted on 7/28/25 at 12:36 pm to jlovel7
quote:
Wasn’t sure if they were outrageously overpriced.
They are. Haven't bought any in a few years, but it had gone up to like $20 a bag (maybe 15 split log pieces). I would buy stuff I couldn't find locally for free.
I would check Facebook marketplace for people giving away wood for free. Or a low price for a bunch of wood. In VA, I would think you should be able to get oak, maple, some fruits, and maybe pecan?
quote:
Is there a way to estimate how much wood I would need to get started? Obviously don’t want to buy too little and ruin my cook.
As far as how much you will need at one time, gonna depend on a lot of factors. In my smoker, once the coal bed is burning well, I go through one log about every 30-45 mins. I would start with a shorter cook (whole chicken or turkey, maybe ribs) until you see how your smoker performs. The type of wood also affects how hot and how fast it burns.
I use all wood (no charcoal), so I have a fire pit for a feeder fire to get started. Set 4-8 logs ablaze and wait about an hour. They will start to break apart and you scoop all that up into your firebox (ashes and everything).
Thank you for not getting a pellet smoker
Posted on 7/28/25 at 12:38 pm to jlovel7
I live in Va and get mine at Lowe’s or Dicks
Posted on 7/28/25 at 12:49 pm to RonFNSwanson
quote:
Thank you for not getting a pellet smoker
Pellet smokers are for women.
Posted on 7/28/25 at 1:25 pm to jlovel7
Posted on 7/28/25 at 1:30 pm to RonFNSwanson
Found a dude on Facebook marketplace with good reviews who’s dropping off a cord of oak and cherry for $180 tomorrow.
ETA: a cord of wood is 222,184 cubic inches. A bag of wood chunks at Lowe’s is 600 cubic inches for $16. If I extrapolated that out to a whole cord it would cost $5900
Hopefully this is fine smoking wood. If not I have three fireplaces to feed this winter.
ETA: a cord of wood is 222,184 cubic inches. A bag of wood chunks at Lowe’s is 600 cubic inches for $16. If I extrapolated that out to a whole cord it would cost $5900
Hopefully this is fine smoking wood. If not I have three fireplaces to feed this winter.
This post was edited on 7/28/25 at 1:33 pm
Posted on 7/28/25 at 1:58 pm to jlovel7
It'll be fine enough for your smoker. You'll have to cut the splits into smaller pieces with an axe though.
I have the same smoker and usually try to cut them into almost pringles can sized splits. I usually keep a few splits in the firebox while cooking to dry out too since they will likely be water logged to all get out
I have the same smoker and usually try to cut them into almost pringles can sized splits. I usually keep a few splits in the firebox while cooking to dry out too since they will likely be water logged to all get out
Posted on 7/28/25 at 2:37 pm to bluebarracuda
quote:
I have the same smoker and usually try to cut them into almost pringles can sized splits. I usually keep a few splits in the firebox while cooking to dry out too since they will likely be water logged to all get out
You mean on top of the fire box?
And will do. I have a log splitter but may need to get something smaller to cut individual pieces.
Posted on 7/28/25 at 2:57 pm to jlovel7
As others have said, Academy's post oak wood is pretty good and not terribly expensive. It's my go to if I can't make it over to my wood guy.
Try facebook marketplace. You may get some good stuff for cheap there too.
Try facebook marketplace. You may get some good stuff for cheap there too.
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