How to Cure Wood With Smokers

Wood chips will burn more evenly once they are cured.

If you use a wood chipper but aren't sure what do do with the excess wood chips, you can cure them in a smoker for later use either in the smoker or a barbecue pit. Freshly cut wood still has moisture in it from both water and sap, and curing is a natural process that removes this excess moisture. Once cured, your wood chips will be useful for fires when you smoke or cook outdoors. Does this Spark an idea?

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Smoker
Charcoal
Lighter
Shallow aluminum tray
Wood chips

Instructions

- 1
  
  Open the door to the smoker and remove the water pan.
- 2
  
  Place charcoal in the bottom charcoal pan of the smoker. Soak the charcoal with lighter fluid and then light with a match. Allow 10 minutes for the excess lighter fluid to burn off and for the coals to turn white in color.
- 3
  
  Place the fresh wood chips in a shallow aluminum roasting pan, spreading them evenly across the bottom of the pan.
- 4
  
  Place the pan of wood chips on the top cooking rack and close the door. Allow the wood chips to cure in the smoker for approximately 30 minutes before checking. Use a knife to cut into one of the wood chips to gauge for moisture. Continue until the chips are completely cured.