Cheap Alternatives

[gr8fl]

Cheap alternatives to expensive alder pucks for the Bradley smoker, and without mystery binders...

[logman 49]

Good idea, but I think I would peel the bark.

[AKFishfight]

I'm with you gr8fl. We do that or just use small twigs of alder. However never heard about peeling the bark...

[Brother Francis]

some people peel the bark thinking it gives the fish a bitter taste

[gr8fl]

Bradley alder pucks go for about $0.63 each, $30 for 48 pucks. 20 minutes per puck, so 3 per hour.

4 hour smoke = 12 pucks = $7.50 a batch

[gr8fl]

Brine: 1cup salt 1 cup brown sugar. 36 hoolies covered in water overnight in big glass jar.
Smoke: local dead and dry alder pucks in Bradley smoker. Cold smoke for 10 hours.
Finish: oven preheated to 250. 20 minutes max.