Lads, I have a big as a ba$tard oak tree above my house. I hear the poms use oak to smoke stuff all the time. Any opinions on using some oak to smoke some kingies/snappers?
My smoking setup is this: gas ring under a large square stainless plate, toss a lump (fire wood sized piece) of dry manuka on the SS plate. Sitting on (not around) the SS plate is a tube of baby corrugated iron, fish is arranged in muffin racks hanging on wires hanging from the top of the tube, a thermometer over the lip, and another plate on top. Cook for 3-4 hours (temp goes from 30 to 65 degrees approx over this time). Works a treat with 12 hour brined (13:1:1 water/salt/brown sugar) fish (patted dry with paper towels and left to dry out 24 hours in the fridge uncovered.
My usual drill works really well, but I am wondering:
A: Is oak better/worse than manuka in any experienced opinions?
B: Should I use dry or recently cut oak?
C: Should I scrape off all the bark and lichen?
After all, it's easier to lop off a lump of oak than go looking for manuka. Thanks for your thoughts...