New to smoking, question about Maple

[joecue]

I'm extremely new to smoking, though I've been using charcoal in my grill for years. I've used some chips before with my charcoal in my kettle grill and had some good results.

I recently purchased a Brinkmann Smoke n Pit from Home Depot. I have yet to get it out of the box and put it together.

I have multiple maple trees in my backyard that continuously drop dead limbs or need trimming to keep them out of our way. Can I use any of these limbs in the Brinkmann with charcoal or not?

There are several orchards in my area, I'm going to start calling around and see if I can score any cheap or free trimmings from their fruit trees.

This forum has been a great resource while I prepare to enter into the world of smoking meat.

--
Joe

[ALX]

Maple is fine wood.....Mainly silver and red here that is excellent light smoke....Also rock and sugar maple etc....

Trimmings are great....Obviously no use in using rotting ends etc.that fall off branches..Just make sure its dry/aged and your good to go.....

Orchards are great resources for trimmings....

[Richtee]

Welcome to Smoked Meat Joe! Lots of info on that smoker here in the charcoal smokers section. And I never met a bad maple ;{) Enjoy!

[Bbqgoddess]

Joe...
the only thing I can say about maple, is... yummmmmmmmmm!

[Dionysus]

Welcome Joe,
Maple and fruit wood are pretty much all I use any more. And yes, orchards are a great source for the fruit wood ....

[mballi]

Now I have used maple on alot of my smokes and it's a nice wood kinda mellow flavor which I like so.

[Texas-Hunter]

Welcome to smoked-meat Joe... Damn sure glad to have you here.. Feel free to ask any questions, we have a great group of guys and gals here and a ton of info..

Remember,.. Their is no such thing as a stupid question..

Hope you enjoy the site..

[Meat Hunter]

Welcome. Maple is a good choice. Have used it many many times as flavor wood and as a heat source in my stick burner. Nice and mild as long as it is dry

[GOT14U]

welcome and you are one lucky dog

[Jimh]

I have used maple both dry and green in the spring when the sap is running, like any wood for smoking its should be peeled,welcome to the land of the thin blue smoke

[Fishawn]

Welcome Joe!.... Vine Maple is very common in my area and a popular choice for smoking and used quite often. Enjoy the site!

[chisoxjim]

I use maple alot, I get it free from a local pig farmer I buy my pork from.

I still prefer using, oak, hickory, apple, cherry, or alder, but the price is right for the maple so I use it a bit, and it works pretty good.

[erain]

personally, maple is second only to cherry... is a great wood to smoke with, use barkless seasoned heartwood.

[sweet_magnolia]

I had not tried maple yet, but

[lcruzen]

Welcome and yes, maple gooooood!