If you've just bought some nice bags of smoking wood, you naturally want them to remain top quality for as long as possible. Nobody wants semi-damp, musty chips that produce more steam than smoke. And certainly not that one traditional horror scenario: you open your container and the woodworms are just as happy as you are at the first BBQ of the year.
But no stress. Storing smoking wood is super easy, as long as you know what to look out for. So grab a cup of coffee (or a beer, I'm not judging) and I'll walk you through how to keep your chips and chunks perfect well into the next BBQ season.
Why good storage is so important
Wood is like a sponge. It absorbs moisture, it releases moisture, and it essentially does exactly what you don't want it to do if you leave it lying around for too long without attention.
Moisture = bad smoke.
Bad smoke = bitter meat.
Bitter meat = sadness.
So yes, proper storage might sound boring, but it will save you a lot of hassle and disappointment.
Storage rule number one: keep it dry
This is truly the golden rule.
Dry wood smokes beautifully, in a controlled manner, and gives that delicious BBQ flavor you're looking for.
So always store your chips and chunks in a place where no moisture can get in. Think of:
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A garage
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Shed
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Cellar (if it's not damp)
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Inside, with your BBQ gear
Only have a damp shed? Don't panic. Just put your smoking wood in an airtight container and you're good to go.
Always use a sealed container
Open bags are fine for on the way to the BBQ, but not for storage.
Put your smoking wood in:
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A sealable plastic container
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A sturdy bucket with a lid
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Airtight storage boxes
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Or a simple zip bag, if you have limited space
This prevents the wood from absorbing moisture or odors. Also handy: small critters stay out.
Keep it away from extreme temperatures
Heat is not a problem, but constant temperature changes can make your wood 'breathe'. And you don't want that. So don't store it above the radiator or next to your BBQ that is still warm. No drama if it happens once, but don't make it a habit.
Sunlight? Preferably not
It's wood, not a tanning bed client. Sunlight sometimes dries out your chunks too much, and that can affect the flavor.
So: preferably store it in the dark. A cupboard, a container, a corner in the shed is all fine.
How long can you actually store smoking wood?
Good news: smoking wood stays good for a very long time.
Seriously, if you store it dry, it will easily last a year or longer.
At Rookhoutdeals.nl we sell batches that are already well dried, so you don't have to do anything else.
Just store and use whenever you feel like firing up your BBQ. Even in winter.
Yes, really, smoking wood has no seasons... only you do.
Small tip for the real planners
Do you have multiple flavors at home? Then label the container or bag.
Nothing is more annoying than opening a container and thinking: was this oak or whiskey?
Before you know it, you're smoking your salmon with hickory and it suddenly becomes a very intense flavor fest.
And what if it does get wet?
It happens. Sometimes a roof leaks, sometimes you were a bit too enthusiastic with the garden sprinkler.
If the wood is still a bit damp, you can let it dry in a warm place indoors. Spread it out on a newspaper or in a container.
Has it been really soaked? Then it's better to get new ones. Wet wood doesn't smoke, it steams. And nobody wants that.