Olive Wood for Smoking?

[Tyrus]

Unsure if I'll incorporate these into something or use in the KK, but for informational purposes if your unaware...walnut has a strong intense, slightly bitter, earthy and nutty flavor, best used in lower doses and mixed with fruit woods. Good with beef. If you notice there is a piece of Purple heart extending across the back seat, now although it is an exotic dense hardwood it's application for smoking is strongly discouraged. It's referred to as a, "sensitizer," it can cause skin, eye or respiratory issues. Maple is a good all around.

[wrandyr]

On 4/22/2024 at 12:20 AM, tekobo said:

I was going to throw away the leafy twigs on the right but I am wondering if they would do well on the fire once dried.  I love the idea of food flavoured with a wonderful, gentle Mediterranean smell.  

 

There is an business near me that sells olive leaf teas. There are lots of olive trees around here, but I haven't gotten around to trying to make tea from the leaves.

[tekobo]

Interesting @wrandyr .  I have never heard of olive leaf tea.  I just looked it up and it's definitely a thing.  I will see what it tastes like.  

[NapDogg]

A woodworker trick to dry out those green branches... put the chips in a cardboard box with a light bulb (some even use Christmas tree lights).  I would be careful about using cut-offs from a wood shop.  Most of that wood is kiln dried with some nasty chemicals.

[Tyrus]

On 3/4/2026 at 7:50 AM, NapDogg said:

 Most of that wood is kiln dried with some nasty chemicals.

Hey NapDogg, kiln dried wood only uses heat during the process, no chemicals. Maybe you were thinking of pressure treated wood, however as I remember the old arsenic/chromium/copper (CCA) process employed soaking the wood in a bath for predetermined time under pressure. That's maybe why if you remember picking wet boards out of a stack as the reason they were so heavy. Anyhow I digress, all cutting boards, cabinets, furniture etc are made with KD lumber, natural wood dried slowly by heat. Woods like black locust, cedar, teak and redwood have oils or natural chemicals preventing/slowing rot and bug damage. Using these woods for smoking because of the natural oils imparts a nasty flavor to food. I'd say it's safe to use even KD wood although I'd prefer natural from the tree too because it's what were accustomed to and the appearence presents the idea it's safer, nonetheless there isn't much difference.

Edited Thursday at 02:46 PM by Tyrus

[NapDogg]

@Tyrus  After further review... you are correct.  I wonder if there's much difference in the smoke produced.  Could high kiln temperatures cook off some of the aromantic compounds?  KD wood (lower moisture content) might burn hotter, faster and cleaner --but maybe slightly less complex flavor.

[5698k]

Kiln dried wood is really too dry for smoking. To get good smoke, wood needs to be x% moisture, and kiln dried is much drier.


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[Tyrus]

NapDogg, to add to that I forgot to mention this particular woodworker made slab tables, cutting boards, chess boards and many side craftable items so I knew his sourced wood was good. I hope I didn't step on your toes, it wasn't my intention. With that under the bridge let me step on 5698k's toes. Generally most people prefer naturally seasoned wood for a more intense smoke flavor, KD wood is an effective, readily available choice that prevents bitter, heavy smoke. It's safer to use without running the risk of over smoking, it's clean burning and tends to be lighter...that's a good thing. Moisture content tends to less than 10% while air dried depending if it,s covered and the duration of time should come in around 15-20% as good seasoned characteristics. So what you said is correct on all accounts NapDogg, I would wonder if some soaking to add moisture back could be useful, anyway it will definitely smoke. How'd you come up with the tag NapDogg? I only ask because we're picking up a new dog tomorrow.......we lost ours recently and as C6Bill recently experienced the void was hard to bear. Yah, it should be good. Sorry 5698K