Birch wood?

[grisell]

Has anyone used birch wood as smoker fuel? I'm running out of alder and oak and there is no supplier nearby. Birch wood can be bought in any shop or gas station here, however.

[DanMcG]

I have yet to try birch but I know people that do use it. The bark needs to be removed as i'm told it it bitter.
Here's a line I borrowed from another site.
BIRCH - Medium-hard wood with a flavor similar to maple. Good with pork and poultry.

[grisell]

Many thanks!

[saucisson]

I've used silver birch, it has a very thin paper like bark so I didn't take it off, bad idea. Bark off it was fine.

Dave

[Nutczak]

Birch bark is very oily and creates a thick oily black sooty smoke. I like to peel the bark off and use it to start fires, but I never cook with it.

any apple trees around you? that is some great cooking wood as is almosy any other tree that produces edible fruit or nuts.