Albert Phelps was a well known commercial beekeeper from Southport NC who
kept bees near Calabash NC and along the Cape Fear River.  I worked with
Mr.Phelps several times on beekeeping projects 40 years ago and remember
Mr. Phelps developed an allergic reaction to pine straw smoke and had to
reduce his exposure to smoke.  He would have asthmatic reactions if he
inhaled pine straw smoke.

Pine straw is probably the smoker fuel of choice in much of the southern
United States because it is widely available, lights quickly, and burns
slowly.  Mr. Phelps operated in long leaf pine country and I find that long
leaf straw burns faster and creates more creosote, due to the coarse nature
of the needles I think.  White pine straw smells the best but is almost too
fine in texture and tends to go out after lighting.

My preference is to find loblolly pine straw that has fallen on a paved
road and been driven over quite a bit, softening the needles and making a
superior smoker fuel.  I stuff 5 gallon buckets with driven-on straw when I
find it and keep in under cover for future reference.  I paid a visit to
Randy Oliver a couple of years ago and  Randy told me he likes the
driven-on pine straw too.  I have been burning pine straw in smokers for
40+ years but learned a little trick this year from a beginner.  He told me
to drop a pine cone into the freshly lit layer of pine straw used to start
the smoker and get the pine cone going to ensure a perfect (and hot) start
for the smoker.  I usually have no trouble but if the bees are riled up for
some reason that is when the freshly lit smoker goes out......

Bill Lord
Louisburg, NC

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