Sometimes when you or your neighbors prune your citruses, you would collect budwood for donation. You would still have plenty of left-overs and I tell you that this is a goldmine when you know what to do with extra budwoods or branch trimmings.

First cut them into 3" pieces and pile them up like so

Then get a strip of aluminum foil, about 3 inches wide and 6 inches long, roll the cut-up pieces inside aluminum foil

Make sure the ends are open on both sides of the aluminum foil roll.

Then put them all into a ziploc bag and store into the FREEZER. Yes you got it right, store them long term into the freezer. Notice that I have bigger stems too. They all go into the freezer to preserve them without losing their moisture.

Now when the opportune time comes up, take three rolls of citrus budwoods that you are keeping in the freezer, leave the rest of them in the freezer.

Spread the glowing charcoals around and place the rolls of citrus budwoods on the top.

And load up the meat

Then cover and control the vent opening to regulate the smoke. See the beautiful pleasant smoke?

Citrus wood chips are one of the most expensive barbeque smoking chips and very hard to find. The major benefit of this method is that by keeping in the freezer, you always have smoking chips that are already wet in their insides, no need to soak them overnight, just plug and play!

The aluminum foil prevents the budsticks from rapidly burning but instead slowly but consistently creating the pleasant smoke aroma unique to citrus wood chips, the most expensive wood chips there is.

Rare, medium or well done? It is up to you.

Viola! the finished perfectly smoked barbeque in the most expensive smoking chips, and you can do it for free, 'cuz you're a citrus hobbyist like the rest of us:

OH, WOW!
I learn something new everyday.
Thanks Joe.

Joe, thanks for this info. I will certainly try it.

WARNING:

Never try this trick with oleander stems and other Plumeria species, ever. You will certainly die of poisoning.

So be wary of what smoking chips you use

Stone fruit cuttings like peaches and almonds would have traces of cyanide in their stems, and although some people have reported that they are okay to use, I wouldn't recommend those.

Apples and pear cuttings are fine, as well as roses and grapes. Of course, citruses are the best, and I'm very much still alive typing this post.

And of course, consume smoked meat in moderation. Smoked meat have little bit of carcinogens that your body can tolerate, too much of it is bad.


Take Care Y'all.

Joe

Thanks for the tip.. when my trees get big enough I will try this..
BBQ season is right around the corner..

Gina *BabyBlue*

Thanks for that great idea Joe. I wish I had fresh citrus branches to prune!
Another thing I do, is to burn herbs. I had a large rosemary tree that I would snip & lay on coals, and marjoram is also a good one. If anything, put them on a fire just to make it smell nice. I have lemon thyme growing like crazy which is also good for this. I'll have to wrap them in foil to make them 'smoke' better.