Replies

1. 
   user-5880422 | May 10, 2004 08:02pm | #1

   any fruitwoods with fish inparts a soft and subtle flavor. I'm partial to maple for pork, hickory and mesquite for beef, and oak for chicken. It's really fun to try out different combinations and see what happens.

   I use chips and shavings soaked in water for about 20 minutes, put a couple handfuls right on the grill. I don't have a smoker, but think that the possibilies would extend far beyond what you have with grilling.

2. 
   billballeza | May 11, 2004 12:24am | #2

   I've been wondering about using my walnut offcuts on top of charcoal or mixed with pecan or mesquite.

   Have any idea what flavor walnut might impart? It sure has a nice fragrance in the shop.

1. 
   DaveHeinlein | May 11, 2004 01:07am | #3

   It might make you sick. Walnut has some pretty strong toxin in it.

1. 
   billballeza | May 11, 2004 01:49am | #4

   Thanks for the heads up. I was afraid this might be the case.

1. 
   Biscardi | May 11, 2004 03:32am | #5

   Cherry works nicely. I think it is not a good idea to use too much wood or the food gets bitter.

1. 
   billballeza | May 11, 2004 04:53am | #8

   Now I'll have to figure out what else to do with all my odd size walnut offcuts. I positively refuse to throw them out.. as there is no wood I cherish more than walnut.

2. 
   PlaneWood | May 11, 2004 06:06pm | #9

   Bill -

   I save all my walnut shavings to go under the azaleas and other acid loving plants.  I fortify it with Ironite too.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

3. 
   billballeza | May 11, 2004 11:05pm | #10

   Good idea.. shall do likewise.

4. 
   PeteBradley | May 13, 2004 07:27pm | #15

   Not sure I'd make a habit of this. Walnut trees produce a toxin called juglone which suppresses competition from surrounding plants (read: kill the competitors). Azaleas are considered particularly sensitive to juglone.

   For more detail:

   http://www.agcom.purdue.edu/AgCom/Pubs/HO/HO-193.pdf

   Pete

   Edited 5/13/2004 12:31 pm ET by BRADLEPC

5. 
   PlaneWood | May 13, 2004 11:22pm | #16

   Well, I'll be durn!  Learn something every day!

   Must not be much in the lumber cause I've been using it for years and my azaleas are thriving.  I knew that nothing would grow under Walnut trees except other Walnuts.  I guess thats's a pretty good defense mechanizm for them.  I was assuming (apparently incorrectly) that that was caused by the husks and nuts.

   I know that walnut dust doesn't agree with my lungs!

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

6. 
   CharlieP | May 15, 2004 04:33pm | #18

   I use my walnut offcuts to scroll-saw christmas tree ornaments and make small bandsaw boxes.  I finally threw away the pieces that were less than an inch, but even that bothered me!

   My searching about the toxicity indicated that walnut shavings would prevent the sprouting of seeds, but did not interfere with growing plants.  Our experience around the shrubs and trees where we don't want weeds to sprout supports this explanation.  We have a waiting list for the walnut shavings from people with roses - it doesn't interfere with the roses (no seeds) and does suppress the weeds. 

   I have never heard of a problem with toxicity - walnut is often used in cutting boards, and walnut oil in salads (not my favorite, but edible).  A physician I know uses walnut under his kid's playground to suppress weeds. 

   I cannot speak about the horse hoof question. ________________________Charlie Plesums  Austin, Texashttp://www.plesums.com/wood

7. 
   billballeza | May 17, 2004 11:33pm | #23

   Thanks, Charlie, I like the idea of weed suppression. Like you, I cannot bring myself to toss any part of anything walnut. It is absolutely my favorite wood.

   Thanks for the ideas and for being a good buddy.

   Bill

   Edited 5/17/2004 9:15 pm ET by bill

2. 
   nikkiwood | May 11, 2004 04:18am | #6

   I second the comment about the toxicity of walnut.

   I have friend who owns horses, and takes all my planer shavings for bedding -- with the specific exception of walnut. It will make the horse sick.

   She told me why, but I am sorry I forgot why this is so.

1. 
   billballeza | May 11, 2004 04:50am | #7

   As good as walnut is in our applications.. you'd think it was good enough to eat.

2. 
   DougU | May 12, 2004 04:50am | #12

   The walnut is bad for their holves(sp?)

   We used to give our shavings to some one that boarded horses, she said it was like the holves(their feet) rotted.

   Doug

1. 
   Sphere | May 17, 2004 07:40pm | #21

   hooves...

   yur welcome

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1. 
   DougU | May 18, 2004 04:21am | #24

   thanks

3. 
   stancalow | May 12, 2004 02:50am | #11

   Chuck

   There used to be a local butcher whose main business was smoked sausage  of which he sold tons.  One day, when it wasn't busy, he showed me his walk-in smoker, where he told me that he used walnut sawdust, shavings and scraps to smoke the sausage.  I think he got unlimited quantities from a nearby walnut processor.  Anyway, his sausage was great, and as far as I can tell, no one ever got sick from it.  Perhaps burning breaks down the juglones in walnut wood  so that it is not harmful in digestion. 

   Perhaps you could get Jon Arno to give the definitive answer.

4. 
   MyTacoma | May 12, 2004 06:04am | #13

   I grew up in Dallas area and mesquite is preferred, but I like hickory much better. It's sweeter. I knew an old fellow who use to use pecan shells for lite smoking on the grill. Smoking a turkey for 12 hours isn't fun, but worth the long wait.

1. 
   10fingers | May 12, 2004 06:31am | #14

   Thanks to everyone that replied.  It was nice to know that nobody likes to cook with pine needles.

   Chuck

5. 
   Elcoholic | May 14, 2004 11:56pm | #17

   I mostly use Mesquite lump charcoal for grilling on the Weber.  In Socal the best deal I've found is 40# bags for $20 at Smart and Final.  For the smoker with fish or foul I like pecan and mesquite chunks.  For tri-tip I use my oak scraps and for pork it's hickory.  For Salmon or shrimp rafts I like to grill it on a shingle where the shingle burns back to the edge of the filet.  The only source I've found is BBQ's Galore but they're 3 for $5.  Anybody know of a reliable source for untreated cedar shingles?

   John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

1. 
   Biscardi | May 16, 2004 02:22am | #19

   Are the shingles western red cedar or are the red cedar or Virginia red cedar). I there red cedar I could send you a box full if I can get the froe working.

   Frank

1. 
   Elcoholic | May 17, 2004 03:50pm | #20

   I don't know.  Next time I get a chance I'll check them out.  Thanks for the offer.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

6. 
   Sphere | May 17, 2004 07:45pm | #22

   did not see it come up yet..apple, it's soo good for burgers.

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