Avocado wood pipe?

I have just cut back my avocado tree, and was curious as to whether the wood is suitable to make a pipe from. As I understand it fruit trees are ok to use, I have seen pear, cherry, olive etc used. Does anyone know if this wood is safe? Google gives me mixed answers.

If the wood is safe to use, how long should it be dried prior to carving? The branches range from 1 inch diameter to about 5 inches. I have heard briar is significantly superior to smoke from, so is it even worth the effort?

Well, I cut a few branches up, and a couple of thinner ones. I figure if I leave them for 12 months it should be ok. I plan on making them mm style, drill em out like a legend then drill out the thinner bit for the shank and glue it in. Will look pretty rough, but I should be able to knock one out pretty quick. If that goes ok, I'll make a pretty one. If it doesn't work out it should make good kindling for the fire.

Briar is used because it is a burl and the fibers are intertwined so they don't split, crack or warp when exposed to heat. Other woods can be used but the pipes have to be made with very thick walls to compensate for the wood's vulnerability.

Give it a go. Even if it doesn't work its good practice. You might find its your calling

Not sure what size chunks you have cut up, but you may want to consider covering the ends or putting the smaller ones in a grocery bag or something. If it dries too quickly it may split on you.

I didn't know that. Thank's for making me smarter, Arkie!

OBD.

I love avocado, if you need a test smoker I'd be willing to check it out and give you feedback. What's the worst that could happen?

Go for it and see what happens!

I don't know about avocados but I'd be careful. I wouldn't smoke a pipe made from mango anything for instance; I've seen folks allergic to the sap, the fruit, the leaf and heard of reactions to burning mango wood. Oleander isn't a fruit but it's more than toxic, it's poisonous. I'm just getting to know the resale market but it sure seems like there are lots of old pipes out there that could be recarved, decorated, whittled or repurposed that I'd be inclined to avoid new wood.

I can't comment on the safety of smoking Avacodo, as I have no experience or knowledge...that's up to you to determine.
Your pieces should be dried for 12 to 18 months minimum.
To carve a pipe, you need a block that is cut square...about 1.5-2" thick by 2.5-3" high by 3-4" long. Thus you need a limb/trunk that is at least 6-8" in diameter. Remove the bark, and wax the ends to help it dry evenly, and keep it from drying too fast.

hell I had a pile of avocado rounds in the shed at one point, hard stuff but light weight. I'll take a look. if memory serves most of it had checks and splits... we shall see in two weeks when I get off this damn ship.

I've got an Avacado wood turned bowl and it is very light weight might burn easily?

I used it for firewood years back. It has a nice,unique smell when burning. It was also cheap in SoCal.

It's attractive wood, too. Probably best to use a burled section, though. It has a slightly oily/velvety sheen to it. As far as pipes go, I bet it would perform fine. I know that folks use it to smoke their food on the BBQ, so it's is probably safe ... comparatively speaking.

hell go for it the first pipe maker probably heard crap like " your gonna use wood to burn stuff in?"

definitely give it a LONG time to dry out.. a year or more.. as mentioned above... then you'll see what you have to work with.. anyway... I picked up an old piece dried up piece of curly maple early last summer.. and decided yesterday to do this exact same thing..
here's the rather primitive hillbilly-ish results..




Ive ran a couple bowls through it and it actually smokes pretty darned well.. very cool and only alittle hint of wood taste..
I say GO FOR IT!

It's cut up into blocks and drying out an a plastic shopping bag in the shed. Thanks for the advice people, 10 months from now I'll start carving.

Sounds like a fun project.. Something to get you through the Winter months..

When I season my Cherry, I cut it into blanks about 2"x3"x4" and boil it in water for 30 mins, rinse, then set it on a shelf for 2 months. Then it's good to go! Haven't had any problems with splitting......yet, lol. Good luck and hope this helps

what does the boiling of the wood do for the process, if I may ask?

It removes the resin and sap (and kills any little critters that may have made a home) from the wood....and on another note, just for self preservation, DON'T use your wifes good bean pot to do this, may be hazardous to your health! Hell has no furrie as a woman that can use a mop handle better than any Ninja!