question for fellow wood preppers!

[mercynursie]

I'm working on a huge apple limb that got broken off during a storm last week .I've been doing applewood for several years but usually just sticks/twigs/whirlies/perches.This batch will have some good sizes for making coins.My question is do you cut the coins before boil/bake or after.Seems like one time I tried barrel chunks that I cut before the boil/bake and the bark shrank and peeled from the edges. Any suggestions?

 

[melbur10]

I always cut before I boil bake, depends on the wood some times but in my experience apple does fine when you cut before plus I find it to be a pain to cut when dry

 

[Shooper]

I always cut my wood before I clean and bake it. It really cuts down on the bake time and the bark isnt so brittle before baking. Hope this helps, good luck!

 

[Riven]

I cut before, but I'm not a big boiler. I don't see the point unless you're baking at a low temp. and I think it boils the flavor out. I'd rather bake at a higher temp for a while to compensate... and yes... it's much easier to cut before! I won't even work with dry wood, my hands aren't strong enough to cut it easily without getting really sore, and it's harder to saw through if it's the bigger pieces.