I didn't listen and almost lost a finger today a miter saw isn't the way to go trust me that bad boy jammed up on a piece of oakwood and nearly turned me into Sir Stubby.
I've ran into this issue too, especially with cutting through knots, but I find a way to do it without worrying about it throwing my hand into the blade. Put your miter saw on the floor, put your split down making sure to position it all the way back and the way it will be least likely to move. Take a plank of wood, hard directional cut wood, about 18-24 inches long, lay it on the top of the split cross ways, and with your foot step on the end of the plank at the floor, away from the saw platform, to hold the wood down. Obviously for safety use steel toe shoes, but cutting wood like this, I've had the saw catch before but it didn't pull the lumber like when you are holding it with your hand because you are applying enough weight to it. I've cut hundreds of splits this way and I'm very confident when doing it this way.
Same here, tore off the pad of my index finger when the saw hit a hard spot in July while shortening splits for the Okie. Skin graft, hand therapy, the works. Never again. Miter saw PTSD still today. Aaron Franklin has a video where he is cutting splits with a miter saw. I sent him my story. Hope he updates.
Steve, yep! Concur completely! Also faced the challenge of attempting to cross cut splits to get the right size in my Grand Champ XL offset smoker. Prior to watching this video, I tried to cross cut a split with an axe, and a piece shot off with such strong velocity that it chipped my front tooth. I bought the tool on your video and have had tremendous success & safety with the results. Thanks for the post.
Oh my gosh dude... I live in North Carolina and looked up how much it costs to buy wood in Calgary. I went wide-eyed. I have my pick of oak, hickory, and pecan supplies all over the place here on the cheap. I live 25 minutes from the City of Oaks. Sometimes you need to get perspective to appreciate what you have, and I'd never considered the price of something as common (here) as wood being so different.
I got one of those tools like u suggested best toy so far makes it safe and quick dont have to worry my family as they watch me cut wood their is no kick back and like many others said the miter saw is not the way to go😊
After this video I grabbed this saw and it is a game changer. I was having to chop splits so tiny they burned in 5-10 minutes. But using this method you describe let me keep the splits “thicker” but shorter and now they burn for me 25+ minutes apiece. T H A N K Y O U !!!!!
The saw idea was brilliant. I really liked your wood splitting song but thought the Monty Python "lumberjack song" would have also worked. The family on the patio would have really enjoyed it. 11/10.
I remember in my M1 tank hydraulic ammo door started malfunctioning. We called in a mechanic he restarted the hydraulics and started messing with the door switch. it just wasn't closing. He sat there jerking the door then accidentally hit the knee switch. When his knee released the switch the ammo door closed instantly and snipped a few fingers tips off. He sat there in shock, blood streaming down his arm and said, "well... that wasn't good". trying to be reassuring as I could be I said, "no... no it wasn't. let me go find a medic" my loader stuck his head in and started freaking the F out seeing the white inside of the tank sprayed with blood. definitely burned into my brain. Good news it was just a fingertips and he continued being a mechanic after he recovered.
Wow Steve!!! What a great post. I'm not going to be smoking anything, but I still couldn't turn away from your video as it was so interesting! And I'm glad that I stayed watching the video because I got to see your fantastic singing performance at the end. Bravo!!!
As a former Abrams tank crewman named John, have to say don't give up your day job in the hopes of a singing career. 😂 That out of the way, highly entertaining video.
Just bought the lopper on your advice can’t wait till it gets here. Smoking a 3 bone short rib plate and I’ve been wanting to get my wood just the right size. 👍
I hope this channel blows up, I'm loving the quality of vids and personality and the jokes! On topic -- I also smoke with an OK Joe Highlander and I was looking into the Kindling Cracker king size for pretty much this use. It's great to have many options, I might try this route if the Kindling Cracker doesn't work out! Thanks for the vids!
I find it for free when people have trees cut down. Normally it's cut up, but not split. I have a hydraulic log splitter to split it. One time I bought split. I use my log splitter to make smaller logs if I need just a small log. It helps me with fire management.
I live in NH and i get my smoking wood from myself.. Been logging for years but just recently started building a smoker... I'm actually in the process of starting to build my inventory so I can begin selling in the spring..
@@SmokeTrailsBBQ yes and no... its kinda hit and miss... sometimes the lot I'm cutting will just be pine or it might be just hardwood or there's the norm of it being a mix of both.. we have alot of pine around here (white,red and bull) but we also have some good size hardwoods.. I'm regularly cutting oak (red and white) Maple is pretty abundant too (white and rock/sugar) The tricky ones are finding "wild" fruit trees.. I come across cherry every now and again( probably every 6 months) in the woods but apple is hard to come by, unfortunately I just chipped a whole apple tree a week before I started my smoker build lol..
Thanks man! Yeah I would have never done that a year ago. Now I'm like f$%& it, just send it. I spent too long thinking I had to look like an expert on youtube.
very cool high tech approach to creating splits. i went more primitive, low-tech, and purchased a log splitter on Amazon and a "black smith's hammer" (small sledge with a wedged, blade like edge on one end) for a total investment of about $75 USD. Works great, and as an added bonus lets me both play "Thor" and get my anger management whacking on stuff therapy in whilst creating fuel for the Highland!
Bro......Alberta???? You're probably an Oilers fan, haha. Great video Brother. You're making me spend money!!! Already bought the Meater because of you. Love your channel. Good stuff
I've been thinking about a chop saw but the Alligator Lopper Chainsaw looks like a better idea. As far as smoking goes, I have found that all sorts of herbs and teas work well but I love smoking with citrus peels. I typically store used tea bags and orange/lemon etc. peels in the freezer until I'm ready to smoke.
To cut the log in half go with a sawzaw. Then use a hatchet and a demo hammer to split the halves, much better control then a axe and almost every split comes out exactly the same.
Sassafras is a hard find in the south as far as finding it in a nice size tree. But as a small plant it’s everywhere down here. It hard to find a tree because we make tea from the roots. Once you find it in the wild you always know it when you see it. The tea is very good for you and has a wonderful aroma you should try it.
Im in the midwest USA. I just got a new offset OK Joe. I found a local place that delivers kiln dried wood. Its quality stuff $300 /cord. Seemed pricey maybe. But Im happy with it.
@@SmokeTrailsBBQ A face cord to be more specific. There is a difference Ive learned. 1/2 was hickory, 1/4 cherry, 1/4 oak. Used it once for some chicken so far. Burned very well. Cant wait to cook with it again!
Can i smoke with acacia wood? Is it good for long time smoking like a brisket or short ribs. Or is it good only with short time cooking. Or it isn’t good at all.
Split length on an OK Joe is honestly the only thing motivating me to look at larger offsets just to get a bigger firebox. The stock firebox can hold a max 14" split. With a charcoal basket that reduces down to 12". Split length in a face cord of wood is semi-random but most pieces are going to be 16"-18". I have found wood suppliers that sell "competition splits" all at 12" but the price is outrageous. That Black & Decker alligator chainsaw is a godsend though. Just have to screen out the overlong splits from every delivery of wood and end up having to trim down 1/3 of the pieces. If you have a smaller offset (OK Joe, Old Country Pecos etc) and plan on ordering face cords of hardwood I highly recommend to invest in a Kindling Cracker XL and one of those B&K alligator chainsaws.
1. I use a mitter saw to cut my wood 2. I change the saw blade twice a year 3. I have getting my wood from the same man for the last 5 years. He cuts trees for a living. 4. He cuts the Oak and Pecan and Hickory into 4 foot sections,plus he splits it. 5. All his wood is in racks and under a very long roof. 6, Plus his roof has a back wall and side walls. 7. He charges the same as other tree companys but his wood is seasoned.
I only have a smaller axe. Cold steel trail boss(I think its the same as yours). Ive found it easier to cut the splits to length first and then split after. I cut to length with a small chainsaw
I used buypimentowood chips to make authentic jerk chicken on my grill. As an active chef, I must say, the flavor this brings to jerk chicken on the grill is next level.
Check with local tree service companies, for your wood, hickory, oak, cherry, pecan, apple, and alder for mostly fish.. I got a pick up truck load for 120, dollars, 2 years ago, still got some left, it will be 80 dollars for the same, oak and hickory mix with my new supplier....
Not much selection here because there's no good hardwoods that they cut down. IT's all imported. But yea, for other states/provinces a good idea for sure.
Did the miter saw thing a few times and everytime it jammed. The last time scared the shit out of me. Shit jammed and kick the wood so bad it literally spit the metal slide in half 6 inches long.
I live in almond capital of the world fortunately I get season almond for free I use the wood for camping and especially to smoke with very hard when its seasoned clean smoke and very hot. I use the same Off set smoker love it. smoke everything from fish ribs tri tip bacon and even pizza etc..... if possible try almond or as some farmers say amonds...
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣Dude, you've lost it!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Good video. By the by, I currently use a chainsaw, one foot on the wood while using the saw. That pair of scissors on steroids, doesn't look half bad.
I used to use a mitre saw to cut down splits. It was a cheap harbor freight job which I only used to cutting down splits. One day I was powering through a huge pile and I started to get sloppy. A chunk got bound up and ripped the fence, the safety guard and all other shit out of the saw. Metal parts got lodged in my thumb. I’ve got a scar on my forehead as a result as well. My wife came out and found me literally covered in blood and freaked out. In all honesty it looked a lot worse than it was but it scared the crap out of me. I’ve never used a mitre saw for chopping fire wood since. There’s a reason firewood is sold as such. It’s all gnarly and useless so there’s no way of knowing what’s going on with twists and knots. In summary don’t use a mitre saw to cut firewood chunks. Or do but don’t.
Thanks for sharing your story man.i know there's a lot of people out there calling me a sissy for warning against it, but these accidents happen all the time. Do it once? Twice? A hundred times? You might be fine. But eventually something will go wrong.
Where abouts in Alberta? I'm from Calgary. When I was doing my research for buying a smoker my first choice was an offset but I ended up going with a Pellet Smoker (Vermont Castings designed by Pit Boss) because sourcing wood is difficult and buying pellets was available in so many spots. I go with the Traeger Blended (Hickory, Cherry, Oak) Wood Pellets from Costco. 33lb bag for $24 CAD.
Regarding moisture meters: most should be used on a freshly split face with the probes within a single grain. Crossing grains gives a lower moisture reading. Same with end grains, but made even worse because the end grain dries out extremely quickly. My neighbor sells firewood, he splits huge 6" chunks of firewood and by measuring the end grain it's down to 10% readings after 2 months. There is NO WAY that huge chunk of firewood is down under even 20% after just a couple of months. I burnt some of his wood one year and steam was bubbling out of the end in my wood furnace, yet by measuring the end grain it said under 10% moisture. You can try this yourself. Get a piece that is showing 10-15% from air drying and then weigh it and do the kiln dry and weigh again. I bet it lost more than 10% of its weight
yea mine is the non-pin type. I find when i check a big log and it's at 15% i'll cut it and the inside is 25%+ potentially. They dry alot faster when split.
You live in Canada and drink lone star. That’s dope I live in Texas and that’s good beer.also my back yard has like 30 big ass oak trees. Lol I’ve already cut 1 down for wood.
So I’ve been watching a lot of your management videos and I have to say, really great videos to understand the offset craft!! I see that you put your grates in the firebox in a v-shape most of the time but recently I saw you used a charcoal basket. From your experience, which one do you like best and which one produce great results when it comes to fire management? Also your thoughts on turning the bottom grate below the v-shape or basket long ways to raise it up in the firebox an extra 2”?
How big of a split will that handle or would an electric chainsaw be better I get wood from my wood guy but splits are to long for my backyard smoker some of them have some size in diameter but I can use an ax to get that down like u I used my miter saw until it kicked back on me
So I've looked on my local Craigslist and Facebook marketplace but I cannot get any wood locally other then misquite (which I don't like) is there a good reliable online supplier I understand it will cost more due to shipping but it has to be better then buying the bags of Kingsford hickory logs at home depot
Where are you from? Google your local firewood suppliers and see if they have hardwoods other than mesquite or ship in from other states. Or call them if they are old school and don't have much info on their website. Or lean in to the mesquite and just kiln dry it and burn it hotter to mellow the flavors. There's something cool about embracing your local smoking wood.
Hey Smoke Trails BBQ , are you still using your B&D Alligator Lopper to cut splits shorter? I'm torn between purchasing that or a Milwaukee Sawzall. After months of use, would you say the Alligator is still a worthy investment? Any quality issues or troubles you have had with it? One big concern I have with it is the need to use oil on the blade and how that might affect the firewood, do you use a cooking oil for lubricant, something non-toxic that maybe doesn't smoke when added to the fire? Would love to hear your thoughts on this!!
I bought a load of cherry, hickory and maple splits yesterday, took out my new 10" mitre saw with a brand new blade and started cutting into chunks, bound up 3 times within the first 12 splits, pinched the heck out of my finger and shot a chunk across the backyard, scared the sh&t out of me, so yeah not a good way to do it.. Finished by splitting with a hatchet and crosscutting with my vise and a bow saw, more work but at least I wont kill myself...
Dustin, Go up to the description area and click on "show more" it will open up, then click on the Amazon link, it will take you to the item you want., Good Luck
I didn't listen and almost lost a finger today a miter saw isn't the way to go trust me that bad boy jammed up on a piece of oakwood and nearly turned me into Sir Stubby.
I've ran into this issue too, especially with cutting through knots, but I find a way to do it without worrying about it throwing my hand into the blade. Put your miter saw on the floor, put your split down making sure to position it all the way back and the way it will be least likely to move. Take a plank of wood, hard directional cut wood, about 18-24 inches long, lay it on the top of the split cross ways, and with your foot step on the end of the plank at the floor, away from the saw platform, to hold the wood down. Obviously for safety use steel toe shoes, but cutting wood like this, I've had the saw catch before but it didn't pull the lumber like when you are holding it with your hand because you are applying enough weight to it. I've cut hundreds of splits this way and I'm very confident when doing it this way.
Same here, tore off the pad of my index finger when the saw hit a hard spot in July while shortening splits for the Okie. Skin graft, hand therapy, the works. Never again. Miter saw PTSD still today. Aaron Franklin has a video where he is cutting splits with a miter saw. I sent him my story. Hope he updates.
Steve, yep! Concur completely! Also faced the challenge of attempting to cross cut splits to get the right size in my Grand Champ XL offset smoker. Prior to watching this video, I tried to cross cut a split with an axe, and a piece shot off with such strong velocity that it chipped my front tooth. I bought the tool on your video and have had tremendous success & safety with the results. Thanks for the post.
This video went a lot of places. I'm here for it.
Wow Bryan Adams knows alot abOAt trees
Came for the BBQ info, stayed for the musical performance.
Gotta BBQ sing and dance these days to compete
+1 for being someone who wants to sing when they find something that makes bbq easier :)
Hahah! I always sing random stuff to my wife and she hates it. So I figure it must be good.
Oh my gosh dude... I live in North Carolina and looked up how much it costs to buy wood in Calgary. I went wide-eyed. I have my pick of oak, hickory, and pecan supplies all over the place here on the cheap.
I live 25 minutes from the City of Oaks.
Sometimes you need to get perspective to appreciate what you have, and I'd never considered the price of something as common (here) as wood being so different.
I'm so glad your family wasn't bored at yur BBQ. I split everything with my Sawzall ( length wise ) with a pruning blade. Great video. Thanks!
Yeah that’s what I use. I don’t know if I wanna fork over 78 bucks just cuz my wife thinks my saw is unsafe.
I got one of those tools like u suggested best toy so far makes it safe and quick dont have to worry my family as they watch me cut wood their is no kick back and like many others said the miter saw is not the way to go😊
Right on!
After this video I grabbed this saw and it is a game changer. I was having to chop splits so tiny they burned in 5-10 minutes. But using this method you describe let me keep the splits “thicker” but shorter and now they burn for me 25+ minutes apiece. T H A N K Y O U !!!!!
The saw idea was brilliant. I really liked your wood splitting song but thought the Monty Python "lumberjack song" would have also worked. The family on the patio would have really enjoyed it. 11/10.
I'm a lumberjack and that's OK!
I remember in my M1 tank hydraulic ammo door started malfunctioning. We called in a mechanic he restarted the hydraulics and started messing with the door switch. it just wasn't closing. He sat there jerking the door then accidentally hit the knee switch. When his knee released the switch the ammo door closed instantly and snipped a few fingers tips off. He sat there in shock, blood streaming down his arm and said, "well... that wasn't good". trying to be reassuring as I could be I said, "no... no it wasn't. let me go find a medic" my loader stuck his head in and started freaking the F out seeing the white inside of the tank sprayed with blood. definitely burned into my brain. Good news it was just a fingertips and he continued being a mechanic after he recovered.
That sucks. There's enough to worry about on an exersise or in theater without dealing with injuries. Hope it didn't affect his ability to work.
Funny who knew you could talk about wood and make it both interesting and funny
I heard you're pretty good at chopping wood yourself.
Brother, thank you for your service. God bless you and your family.
Fantastic video,,the song at the end was so bad, but so freaking funny..cheers to ya my friend
Oh yea it's objectively bad haha!
I ordered the alligator loper thru your link to support your channel. Thx for teaching great smoking tips and...keeping us safer!
Thanks Thomas. I REALLY appreciate your support.
Wow Steve!!! What a great post. I'm not going to be smoking anything, but I still couldn't turn away from your video as it was so interesting! And I'm glad that I stayed watching the video because I got to see your fantastic singing performance at the end. Bravo!!!
Thanks Shawna! Maybe I'll record my own album
As a former Abrams tank crewman named John, have to say don't give up your day job in the hopes of a singing career. 😂 That out of the way, highly entertaining video.
Just bought the lopper on your advice can’t wait till it gets here. Smoking a 3 bone short rib plate and I’ve been wanting to get my wood just the right size. 👍
Nice! Let me know how it works for you. I use vegetable oil to oil it every few mins.
I hope this channel blows up, I'm loving the quality of vids and personality and the jokes! On topic -- I also smoke with an OK Joe Highlander and I was looking into the Kindling Cracker king size for pretty much this use. It's great to have many options, I might try this route if the Kindling Cracker doesn't work out! Thanks for the vids!
Thanks man! Yea I was looking at those little splitter things you use with a mallet. Could be a good option and safe to boot 👢
I find it for free when people have trees cut down. Normally it's cut up, but not split.
I have a hydraulic log splitter to split it.
One time I bought split. I use my log splitter to make smaller logs if I need just a small log.
It helps me with fire management.
Yea my neighbor has a hydraulic spliter. Nice to just sit down and have a beer while your wood splits itself
the song was everything
Haha!
You gotta do your treesearch.
PUN OF THE YEAR
You can smoke with big lead maple and alder which both grow very prevalent in BC.
My life is now enhanced.
You are now a lvl 5 BBQ'er
Darn... watching this hours after I bought and unboxed a miter saw for cutting splits lol. Just ordered one of those loppers, thanks!
I live in NH and i get my smoking wood from myself..
Been logging for years but just recently started building a smoker...
I'm actually in the process of starting to build my inventory so I can begin selling in the spring..
Awesome! Do you get lots of hardwood?
@@SmokeTrailsBBQ yes and no... its kinda hit and miss... sometimes the lot I'm cutting will just be pine or it might be just hardwood or there's the norm of it being a mix of both..
we have alot of pine around here (white,red and bull) but we also have some good size hardwoods..
I'm regularly cutting oak (red and white)
Maple is pretty abundant too (white and rock/sugar)
The tricky ones are finding "wild" fruit trees..
I come across cherry every now and again( probably every 6 months) in the woods but apple is hard to come by, unfortunately I just chipped a whole apple tree a week before I started my smoker build lol..
Lol! It takes courage to put yourself out there on UA-cam, but man you take it to a whole new level. The song parody was hysterical!
Thanks man! Yeah I would have never done that a year ago. Now I'm like f$%& it, just send it. I spent too long thinking I had to look like an expert on youtube.
Great video, I keep coming back for all the helpful fire management information....and the show tunes
Another good one buddy
Thanks Man!
the family shot with them acting like they're interested LOLOLOL I love your vids!! Keep 'em coming
Nice work on the song. Can't I get my head from under the pillow now please? 😂😋🇦🇺
Lol! Fair
13:52 - pretty sure you could cut the cheese before you got that tool that hugs and cuts your splits. 😂
I'm hoping to get my first offset soon, so this is much appreciated. Thanks!
Good luck man! Let me know how it works out when you get one.
@@SmokeTrailsBBQ Thank you! Will do, I'm looking forward to messing up a lot 😂 but it will be fun!
very cool high tech approach to creating splits. i went more primitive, low-tech, and purchased a log splitter on Amazon and a "black smith's hammer" (small sledge with a wedged, blade like edge on one end) for a total investment of about $75 USD. Works great, and as an added bonus lets me both play "Thor" and get my anger management whacking on stuff therapy in whilst creating fuel for the Highland!
Almond is cheap in Northern California and Nevada. About $300 a cord. Adds a great sweet flavor to the meat.
Never heard of smoking with almond.
Bro......Alberta???? You're probably an Oilers fan, haha. Great video Brother. You're making me spend money!!! Already bought the Meater because of you. Love your channel. Good stuff
Go flames go!
I'm guess the lady in the Grey shirt was your wife lol. She's like ohhh God honey again with the chain saw 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
yup
I've been thinking about a chop saw but the Alligator Lopper Chainsaw looks like a better idea. As far as smoking goes, I have found that all sorts of herbs and teas work well but I love smoking with citrus peels. I typically store used tea bags and orange/lemon etc. peels in the freezer until I'm ready to smoke.
Sounds like a good addition to add some flavors. I hear people throw onions and fat in there too.
To cut the log in half go with a sawzaw. Then use a hatchet and a demo hammer to split the halves, much better control then a axe and almost every split comes out exactly the same.
Sassafras is a hard find in the south as far as finding it in a nice size tree. But as a small plant it’s everywhere down here. It hard to find a tree because we make tea from the roots. Once you find it in the wild you always know it when you see it. The tea is very good for you and has a wonderful aroma you should try it.
Omg. The song at the end had me cracking up. 🤣
Thanks!
Ok that was awsome. See ya soon!!
Thanks for your service and accidents happen - they happen too often. There's no such think as too much talk about safety.
Im in the midwest USA. I just got a new offset OK Joe. I found a local place that delivers kiln dried wood. Its quality stuff $300 /cord. Seemed pricey maybe. But Im happy with it.
That's a lot if wood though if it's actually a cord
@@SmokeTrailsBBQ A face cord to be more specific. There is a difference Ive learned. 1/2 was hickory, 1/4 cherry, 1/4 oak. Used it once for some chicken so far. Burned very well. Cant wait to cook with it again!
The song is epic
Splitting wedge, sledge hammer and a band saw are what work best for me. Also just seasoning wood indoors is worth it.
Can i smoke with acacia wood? Is it good for long time smoking like a brisket or short ribs. Or is it good only with short time cooking. Or it isn’t good at all.
Reciprocating saw cuts it the best.
The karaoke pushed me over to subscribe. Loving your videos bud!
Split length on an OK Joe is honestly the only thing motivating me to look at larger offsets just to get a bigger firebox. The stock firebox can hold a max 14" split. With a charcoal basket that reduces down to 12". Split length in a face cord of wood is semi-random but most pieces are going to be 16"-18". I have found wood suppliers that sell "competition splits" all at 12" but the price is outrageous. That Black & Decker alligator chainsaw is a godsend though. Just have to screen out the overlong splits from every delivery of wood and end up having to trim down 1/3 of the pieces.
If you have a smaller offset (OK Joe, Old Country Pecos etc) and plan on ordering face cords of hardwood I highly recommend to invest in a Kindling Cracker XL and one of those B&K alligator chainsaws.
This is the video I needed…thank you!
1. I use a mitter saw to cut my wood 2. I change the saw blade twice a year 3. I have getting my wood from the same man for the last 5 years. He cuts trees for a living. 4. He cuts the Oak and Pecan and Hickory into 4 foot sections,plus he splits it. 5. All his wood is in racks and under a very long roof. 6, Plus his roof has a back wall and side walls. 7. He charges the same as other tree companys but his wood is seasoned.
Sounds like a good supplier
This was most informative and useful video. Thanks dude!
I love your OCD videos probably because I can relate...;)
I only have a smaller axe. Cold steel trail boss(I think its the same as yours). Ive found it easier to cut the splits to length first and then split after. I cut to length with a small chainsaw
How do you do it with the chainsaw? do you just chainsaw it on the ground?
@@SmokeTrailsBBQ i have a box and clamp set up that holds it in place for me while I cut
I used buypimentowood chips to make authentic jerk chicken on my grill. As an active chef, I must say, the flavor this brings to jerk chicken on the grill is next level.
Nice turtle pants!
My bathing suit actually. Full dad mode.
Check with local tree service companies, for your wood, hickory, oak, cherry, pecan, apple, and alder for mostly fish.. I got a pick up truck load for 120, dollars, 2 years ago, still got some left, it will be 80 dollars for the same, oak and hickory mix with my new supplier....
Not much selection here because there's no good hardwoods that they cut down. IT's all imported. But yea, for other states/provinces a good idea for sure.
Just make sure John steers clear of those alligator jaws. He’s only got 1 pinkie left.
Love your videos! Perfect! Dont change!
Sassafras is from Tasmania. I've made furniture from it. It's got fungus through it, that's where the pretty stripes come from. 🇦🇺
I use a reciprocating saw. Little more work then yours but works great with a good blade. Need to make a jig for it . Great idea.
Did the miter saw thing a few times and everytime it jammed. The last time scared the shit out of me. Shit jammed and kick the wood so bad it literally spit the metal slide in half 6 inches long.
Yea too many near misses for me on the miter saw
Well now you tell me. I just bought a miter saw six months ago for my splits!
Miter want to reconsider it
@@SmokeTrailsBBQ I Saw what you did there.
I live in almond capital of the world fortunately I get season almond for free I use the wood for camping and especially to smoke with very hard when its seasoned clean smoke and very hot. I use the same Off set smoker love it. smoke everything from fish ribs tri tip bacon and even pizza etc..... if possible try almond or as some farmers say amonds...
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣Dude, you've lost it!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Good video. By the by, I currently use a chainsaw, one foot on the wood while using the saw. That pair of scissors on steroids, doesn't look half bad.
After a chainsaw went through my face and neck i too am a safety nut. But that tool still scares me for obvious reasons... Sawzall for me
That sucks man! Sorry to hear that
@@SmokeTrailsBBQ life goes on man! Haha almost like it never happened
Shout out to my low and slow peeps in Calgary!
People that we grill for need to see the process to fully appraise what they are eating.
I used to use a mitre saw to cut down splits. It was a cheap harbor freight job which I only used to cutting down splits. One day I was powering through a huge pile and I started to get sloppy. A chunk got bound up and ripped the fence, the safety guard and all other shit out of the saw. Metal parts got lodged in my thumb. I’ve got a scar on my forehead as a result as well. My wife came out and found me literally covered in blood and freaked out. In all honesty it looked a lot worse than it was but it scared the crap out of me. I’ve never used a mitre saw for chopping fire wood since.
There’s a reason firewood is sold as such. It’s all gnarly and useless so there’s no way of knowing what’s going on with twists and knots.
In summary don’t use a mitre saw to cut firewood chunks. Or do but don’t.
Thanks for sharing your story man.i know there's a lot of people out there calling me a sissy for warning against it, but these accidents happen all the time. Do it once? Twice? A hundred times? You might be fine. But eventually something will go wrong.
Wow, great info! Time to audition for Hamilton or some other big Broadway musical. 🤣😉🤣
Tree-search... nice
I use a battery powered Sawzall. Certainly not as fast as that cool chainsaw, but I only use my offset smoker a few times per year.
Where abouts in Alberta? I'm from Calgary. When I was doing my research for buying a smoker my first choice was an offset but I ended up going with a Pellet Smoker (Vermont Castings designed by Pit Boss) because sourcing wood is difficult and buying pellets was available in so many spots. I go with the Traeger Blended (Hickory, Cherry, Oak) Wood Pellets from Costco. 33lb bag for $24 CAD.
Regarding moisture meters: most should be used on a freshly split face with the probes within a single grain. Crossing grains gives a lower moisture reading. Same with end grains, but made even worse because the end grain dries out extremely quickly. My neighbor sells firewood, he splits huge 6" chunks of firewood and by measuring the end grain it's down to 10% readings after 2 months. There is NO WAY that huge chunk of firewood is down under even 20% after just a couple of months. I burnt some of his wood one year and steam was bubbling out of the end in my wood furnace, yet by measuring the end grain it said under 10% moisture.
You can try this yourself. Get a piece that is showing 10-15% from air drying and then weigh it and do the kiln dry and weigh again. I bet it lost more than 10% of its weight
yea mine is the non-pin type. I find when i check a big log and it's at 15% i'll cut it and the inside is 25%+ potentially. They dry alot faster when split.
You live in Canada and drink lone star. That’s dope I live in Texas and that’s good beer.also my back yard has like 30 big ass oak trees. Lol I’ve already cut 1 down for wood.
Does the lubricant oil for the chainsaw taint the wood? I’ve always wondered this and if it isn’t an issue I’m definitely grabbing one
So I’ve been watching a lot of your management videos and I have to say, really great videos to understand the offset craft!! I see that you put your grates in the firebox in a v-shape most of the time but recently I saw you used a charcoal basket. From your experience, which one do you like best and which one produce great results when it comes to fire management?
Also your thoughts on turning the bottom grate below the v-shape or basket long ways to raise it up in the firebox an extra 2”?
Your nutty songs remind me of John Acorn the Nature Nut, remember that guy? "I'm a nature nut, and I hope you are too!"
Very safety oriented.
Then what was with that dangerous rickety ladder in the super extended smoke stack video? 😂
I DID mention that in one scene. Yea i'm full of contradictions.
@@SmokeTrailsBBQ It's okay Steve, just stay safe ENOUGH. Tbh I was kinda worried when I saw you with that new toy of yours though. lol
After every tornado/hurricane Pecan limbs are available!
I just bought that alligator say what oil do you use to lubricate the saw?
I just use canola oil
i also live in Alberta and use debarked birch fyi. It makes great bbq. not sure why more people dont use it here...
Operating a saw while consuming Lone Star Beer is not advisable. Educational video.
Thank you for this!!
You sing pretty good 🤣
How big of a split will that handle or would an electric chainsaw be better I get wood from my wood guy but splits are to long for my backyard smoker some of them have some size in diameter but I can use an ax to get that down like u I used my miter saw until it kicked back on me
It can handle a regular size split. Like 4 inch diameter
So I've looked on my local Craigslist and Facebook marketplace but I cannot get any wood locally other then misquite (which I don't like) is there a good reliable online supplier I understand it will cost more due to shipping but it has to be better then buying the bags of Kingsford hickory logs at home depot
Where are you from? Google your local firewood suppliers and see if they have hardwoods other than mesquite or ship in from other states. Or call them if they are old school and don't have much info on their website. Or lean in to the mesquite and just kiln dry it and burn it hotter to mellow the flavors. There's something cool about embracing your local smoking wood.
Creating your own kiln is a good idea. Do you think there is a taste difference between using seasoned wood vs kiln dried?
No
Hey Smoke Trails BBQ , are you still using your B&D Alligator Lopper to cut splits shorter? I'm torn between purchasing that or a Milwaukee Sawzall. After months of use, would you say the Alligator is still a worthy investment? Any quality issues or troubles you have had with it? One big concern I have with it is the need to use oil on the blade and how that might affect the firewood, do you use a cooking oil for lubricant, something non-toxic that maybe doesn't smoke when added to the fire? Would love to hear your thoughts on this!!
Yes I would get it. It works awesome. I use canola oil to oil it
How exactly did you make your jig box? 12:36
Just screwed together some wood blocks
Dont you guys got alot of maple in you regoin ?I'm in Saskatchewan
Nope. Doesn't do well in AB
Ummm... Steve, was that a diorama of Franklin's Restaurant @13:47?
I bought a load of cherry, hickory and maple splits yesterday, took out my new 10" mitre saw with a brand new blade and started cutting into chunks, bound up 3 times within the first 12 splits, pinched the heck out of my finger and shot a chunk across the backyard, scared the sh&t out of me, so yeah not a good way to do it.. Finished by splitting with a hatchet and crosscutting with my vise and a bow saw, more work but at least I wont kill myself...
Love your videos, I'm in the UK and smoke on a Highland but what I really want to know is where did you get the Highland poster thats in your shack?
They sent it to me
Hey buddy glad to see a Lonestar sitting on your smoker!!! How do you get the God’s nectar in Canada?
Hey man, a liquor store near me stocked it for a while. But no longer. I was probably the only one buying it haha!
Luckily I'm also a woodworker. I use my bandsaw to cut down my splits
Good idea. More control that way for sure.
Can someone share the link to the saw again? I don't see it in the comments. Thanks
Here it is: amzn.to/3m72kak
Dustin, Go up to the description area and click on "show more" it will open up, then click on the Amazon link, it will take you to the item you want., Good Luck
less teeth on the blade will cut better. Burn marks indicate slow chip removal or dull blade