Can I Use Wood Chips From An English Lime Tree To Smoke Various Foods?

I have 3 large bags of chippings leftover from carving a statue from English Limewood, just wanted to know if they are safe and tasty for smoking food.

Answer:-

With the exception of Horse Chestnut which is reported to be toxic then any hardwood is OK for smoking. Lime is a hardwood so there's no reason why you shouldn't use it.

Whether the results will be tasty is another matter. I can't say that I've smoked with it before but I have tried many woods and I have to say that when we start discussing the merits of various wood flavors we really are onto the finer points. Certainly don't let it go to waste without trying once.

You might want to ensure that you bark the wood (or eliminate any chips that have bark on them) because if there's anything that might have a detrimental effect, it's most likely to be in the bark.

Also use your wood chips sparingly when you start so that you can understand exactly how strong the flavor is.

Note: - If considering other hardwoods, Birch is also to be avoided. Not because it is toxic but simply because it (especially the bark) leaves a stick tar residue all over the inside of your food chamber.

See Also:-

Barbecue Tips
Meat Smokers
Outdoor Kitchen Barbecue Islands
Tabletop Gas Grill

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