Question

[Trav8300]

My father in law is told me today he has some sassafras trees on his farm. I have only lived here in WV for 4 years and have never heard of this tree before. Anyone know if this would be good wood for smoking??

[gmotoman]

http://virtualweberbullet.com/woods.html

Sassafras is listed under appropriate woods. Though I did a search on google and the reviews are mixed. It might be worth a try in my opinion because I think root beer flavor comes from sassafras.

[someAZdude]

Yeah, I'd do a test cook with something small like on a Smokey Joe or a kettle. That way if you don't care for it you're not out much. Then again, you can usually get a decent idea just by smelling the smoke. Maybe throw a chunk on wait a bit and see what she smells like. Don't like it? Take it off and go with what you know!

[sweet_magnolia]

We have lots of Sassafras here in Kentucky but I've never tried smoking with it. In addition to root beer flavor made from the roots and bark you can also make tea from the roots and gumbo file is made from the dried leaves.

[erain]

not saying one way or the other but i seem to have read something about it being toxic... If nothing else an interesting read, for all you woodworkers out there too. I think the main thing this leads to is use respiratory protection when sawing, sanding etc...

http://www.wood-database.com/wood-ar...-and-toxicity/

[Mark R]

gumbo file is made from the dried leaves.

But remember gumbo file` is used more for thickening than flavor, though it does have a subtle flavor.

[Richtee]

not saying one way or the other but i seem to have read something about it being toxic... If nothing else an interesting read, for all you woodworkers out there too. I think the main thing this leads to is use respiratory protection when sawing, sanding etc...

http://www.wood-database.com/wood-ar...-and-toxicity/

Actual straight sassafras has been outlawed for use in flavorings. It IS toxic.

Sassafras albidum – Sassafras (roots) – safrole. The oil from these roots is believed to be carcinogenic so artificial versions are generally used instead. However, natural extracts with the safrole distilled and removed are available.

Hence, do NOT use for smoking.

[nickelmore]

Boy my day is just not going well today, got yelled at from a state trooper this morning and now this. I use to dig up sassafras roots and make tea all the time when I was a Kid.



And looks like we are suppose to get an inch of rain in Chicago in January.

Its just destined to be a bad day.........

[someAZdude]

Boy my day is just not going well today, got yelled at from a state trooper this morning and now this. I use to dig up sassafras roots and make tea all the time when I was a Kid.



And looks like we are suppose to get an inch of rain in Chicago in January.

Its just destined to be a bad day.........

Dude, I am really sorry to hear that. My day is the opposite. I got nothing but cool things happening over here. Forgot my wife left her car here when she left on a trip early this AM and I didn't bother to look when I backed into the driveway after dropping my son off. Totally thought the whole thing was wide open. Still managed to miss her van without looking. Some of my kids' butterfly larva just hatched and they are going to freak out when they get home!
Sending some good mojo your way bro!

Keep in mind, getting yelled at is waaaaay better than not getting yelled at and handed a coupon ;)

[tadowdaddy]

Dude, I am really sorry to hear that. My day is the opposite. I got nothing but cool things happening over here. Forgot my wife left her car here when she left on a trip early this AM and I didn't bother to look when I backed into the driveway after dropping my son off. Totally thought the whole thing was wide open. Still managed to miss her van without looking. Some of my kids' butterfly larva just hatched and they are going to freak out when they get home!
Sending some good mojo your way bro!

Keep in mind, getting yelled at is waaaaay better than not getting yelled at and handed a coupon ;)

Coupon! Just made my day!!!

[kave]

hey trav,i also hail from the hillbilly,i've used the sassafras a few times for smoke,its mild like fruit wood.where ya at in wv

[Mark R]

hey trav,i also hail from the hillbilly,i've used the sassafras a few times for smoke,its mild like fruit wood.

Kinda like that hemp rope.

Speaking of hillbilly, where travcoman been? Tip, where you hidin?

[Trav8300]

Well, I will try it on some inexpensive cut of meat and let everyone know the outcome. But I am a little wary if its toxic....

[eDJ]

Re:

My Grand dad from West Virginia had a smoke house and I remember Mom and my Uncle talking about Grand dad sending them out to gather up sassafras sticks for the smoking each fall.

They remember him having so much smoke going the place looked like it was burning down at times.

Grand dad had his bag of salt, a big 5 gallon crock, an egg, his box of spices and herbs and he'd do his brining as they laid sassafras by for the smoke.

None of them was ever adversely effected by the sassafras smoke.

Now, it's worth pointing out that there are a lot of BBQ sauces that have
Root Beer as their flavoring agent in them. I made some here awhile back
with Dad's Root Beer. I wanted a real old fashioned flavor source.

In the south so much of the que sauces relied on bottles of soda as
it was a practical source of flavor and sugar for cheap. The people could afford it and have some good food.

Here is the link to the Root Beer sauce recipe

http://www.smoked-meat.com/forum/sho...beer+BBQ+sauce