Smoker fuel

[patook]

I know this has been hashed out and many use a variety of things at hand. However, I need something I can buy cheap that is a decent smoker fuel. When I started out, I got some dadant fuel in my kit, which was great, but expensive. I tries a bag of cypress mulch from Homedepot but it does not want to stay lit.

Does anyone buy anything in bulk that is readily available and works as a good fuel?

Thanks

[Bennettoid]

Burlap is the best I've found so far, but dried grass and leaves do in a pinch.

[danno]

I like sumac berries for a really long burn.  I also use ceder chips (animal bedding).  They burn fast but light easy

[patook]

Burlap is the best I've found so far, but dried grass and leaves do in a pinch.

I have heard burlap is good, but where can you buy it?

[kathyp]

my beekeeping supply place sells it, but i got a batch of burlap coffee bags from the military surplus place.  they are big and heavy duty. 

[jdpro5010]

In Ohio the bridge const co's are a good FREE supply.  They are required by the state to cover the cement with burlap for a couple of days.  Afterwards they just throw it out.  It is not that dirty and I cut to the size I want.  I have probably received about a p/u load in the last two years !

[peacekeeperapiaries]

I use hay or pine needles, a small bale of hay from the feed store kept dry lasts a long, long time.

[NasalSponge]

You can buy burlap at home depot as well, I am a burlap person.....tried some compressed cotton I got from somewhere today but I don't like the way the smoke smells....has a chemical smell to it. I need to find some coffee bean bags again.....better, thicker brulap than HD's.

[AGM]

I second the pine needles.

[tillie]

I third the pine needles - I buy a bale and keep it in the carport so it's always dry and available.  Works great with nice cool smoke.

Linda T who can finally in year four light a smoker every time!!!!!!!

[G3farms]

I use a combination of burlap bags (coffee bean bags that we get that has fabricated pipe in it), and the bark off of cedar trees that have been cut for a little while (fence post). the burlap lights quick and easy and the cedar bark will smolder for a long time.

In a pinch......hay, dead grass, pine needles, sisal baling twine, anything natural just look around.

When I had some really hot bees I would go to the barn and get some left over tabbacco leaves and add that also, seemed to work really well for calming them down a notch or two.

G3

[annette]

I third the pine needles - I buy a bale and keep it in the carport so it's always dry and available.  Works great with nice cool smoke.

Linda T who can finally in year four light a smoker every time!!!!!!!

Linda

Where do you purchase a bale of pine needles??  Never heard of this. I have just started to burn pine needles, but I have to have my friend at work bring in bags of it from her yard.

I just love using the smoker since I went from burning burlap to burning pine needles.

[kathyp]

Linda T who can finally in year four light a smoker every time!!!!!!!

you are doing well.  mine usually lites, but requires massive verbal stimulation to keep going.   

[Brian D. Bray]

If you can get the real kind of baling twine, it makes a good smoker fuel also.  I wrap a bunch of it around my hand then tie it into a knot.  Light 1 or more of the loose loops and the knot will smolder for a long time.

[G3farms]

annette, we can buy bales of pine needles, like a square bale of hay, hey use it for a decorative mulch in flower beds and around trees. Look at some of the landscaping places or even home depot or lowes might have it. I just pick it up off of the ground.

Good luck on finding it.

G3

[annette]

annette, we can buy bales of pine needles, like a square bale of hay, hey use it for a decorative mulch in flower beds and around trees. Look at some of the landscaping places or even home depot or lowes might have it. I just pick it up off of the ground.

Good luck on finding it.

G3

Thanks for the info. I do get it from my friend from work, but I like to be independent if possible.  I will check it out, thanks again

Annette

[Beaver Dam]

I pick up twigs out of my yard. I like to use pecan because it smells good to me. I like the campfire smell.

[fermentedhiker]

pellet stove fuel works, a bit hard to light but it stays lit once you do.  Plus at under 6 bucks for a 50lb bag that'll last a whole season it's not too expensive a proposition.

[troutstalker2]

  I use cedar shavings, the dog kennel kinda stuff. I can not stand the smell of burlap burning, acrid and nasty. The cedar smells great and is so much cheaper than buying burlap. Wally world has is for about $6.50 for a big ol bail.

David

[Jim 134]

I like sumac berries for a really long burn.  I also use ceder chips (animal bedding).  They burn fast but light easy

   Stag Horn Sumac & pine needles & dry rotten wood put green grass on top to cool the smoke.



             BEE HAPPY Jim 134