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Nut Shells- Using Hickory Nut Husks For Smoking

by Kyle
(IL)

I need to know, can you us the outer thick shell of a hickory nut to smoke with? I have a lot of them and I would like to us them if they were usable.
Thanks, Kyle

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Nut Shells- Using Hickory Nut Husks For Smoking

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starstarstarstarstar 		smoking with hickory husks
by: CT Smoker

I actually tried smoking with a combination of husks and shells this past weekend. Came out pretty good. I'm not that experienced a smoker to tell the difference but the pork shoulder did have a nice subtle smokey flavor. I didn't soak them and the husks weren't all fully dry, maybe a month off the tree so they were brown but not woody. Going to try soaking them next time.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Smoking with hickory nut shells/hulls
by: Hickoria

First, I'd like to agree with all the other reponders.I've been using shells for over 30 years to smoke meat. I started out trying to use them in the grill, but found it difficult to keep them from flaring into unwanted fires. I finally decided to reuse an old Weber grill. Using an inexpensive electric hot plate instead of charcoal for the heat source, I was able to control the temperature and avoid the flare ups. In addition, by closing off the vents, I was able to actually get the most smoke flavor imparted into the meat. I've used this process for pork - ribs and roasts and beef briskets. I'm sure any kind of meat can be done in this fashion.

Getting back the hull question - I've not used just the hulls, but a neighbor told me they used them to smoke salmon, just not sure of the entire process.

Hope this helps.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Smoking
by: Anonymous

We have 3 large hickory nut trees on our property and I was looking for a use for them, other than shelling them out for the nutmeats. I cracked some and added them to my BBQ grill when I was smoking country style pork ribs. They burn quite hot, but give off a great smoke, and add even more flavor to the meat than the hickory chips you buy. I have since gathered about a 5 gallon bucket full to use and give to friends and family. This is only from one tree, so I'm sure I will end up with enough to last all winter (we grill all year).

I'm not sure about the dried outer husks, but I think they have too much of a "menthol" smell to be good in the smoker. At least mine do.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Great Flavor
by: Laura

Yes I like them better than the wood-both nut and shell .They impart a great flavor and I store a batch of them for use.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		go for it !
by: Laura

The hickory nuts and the outer shell impart a excellent flavor better than the wood-I think.We grill with them all the time- just soak them in water for a couple of hours and toss in the fire.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		shells
by: Ohio Smoker

not sure about the hickory nut shells, but I have used pecan shells (soaked in water) on my briskets this summer and it turned out great. I would use the trial and error method and use a little amount of shells at first.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Smoking With Nut Husks
by: SmokerBill

I haven't tried the husks from hickory nuts myself, but I'm sure they'd be safe to use, just as the actual shell around the nut is safe. I would be concerned that the husks might produce a strong, bitter smoke.

My recommendation?
Make sure the husks are completely dried and have had a chance to cure for a few months. First time you try them out, use just a small amount. Try it with chicken breasts, as their flavor is mild and you'd get a good sense of how strong the husks' smoke is, and their flavor. From there, adjust the amount of husks used.

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