What To Do With Wood Chips From A Chipper? (Do These 6 Things!)

Wood chippers are becoming more widely utilized these days because they present homeowners with an easy way to dispose of materials. They stand out as a reasonable alternative since burning wood is not allowed everywhere. Disposing of big pieces of wood yourself can also be quite the chore.

What makes using a chipper even better is that you end up with wood chips. Although they may just look like waste materials at first glance, the reality is that they can be pretty useful.

In this article, we will look at the different ways you can use the wood chips from your chipper. Pick out your favorite applications and try them out the next time you have some spare wood chips lying around.

If you know your way around the grill, then you’re likely well aware that wood chips can be used to add flavor. The smoke from the wood chips adds a distinctive flavor that makes meat and even some vegetables more satisfying to eat.

Do note that not all types of wood work great for smoking or grilling. You have to be more selective in that regard. Apple, hickory, maple, mesquite, and oak are some of the best options available.

Before using the wood chips, make sure you remove any debris from them first. Get rid of any leaves or clumps of soil that are bundled together with the wood chips. Once the bits of debris are removed, soak the wood chips in water for about two hours.

Next, grab some aluminum foil and place the soaked wood chips in there. Close the foil to create a makeshift pouch. Using a small knife, poke some holes in the pouch to let the smoke out.

You can now place the pouch with the wood chips inside your smoker or beneath the grill rack. Close the lid to capture the smoke. Let it permeate whatever you’re cooking and let the flavors develop better.

Adding mulch to your yard is a great way to improve the quality of your soil. Mulch can be helpful in a variety of ways.

First off, the layer of mulch you add helps the soil retain moisture better. It will prove very helpful during the summer when the extreme temperatures may be threatening to dry out your yard. It’s not just the heat that mulch protects against. The mulch you added to your yard will also help regulate temperature during the winter.

Some homeowners also like using mulch simply because it changes the look of the garden. Apart from helping the plants grow without issues, the mulch also adds some much-needed definition. Mulch also does a great job of suppressing weeds that could otherwise plague your yard.

Different kinds of materials can be used to create mulch. Grass clippings, dead leaves, and even old newspapers can be used for that purpose. Of course, wood chips can figure into that mix as well.

You have to be careful when using wood chips as mulch though. Not all types of wood chips partner well with all types of plants. Furthermore, fresh wood chips can actually slow the growth of certain crops.

Talk to a gardener or someone familiar with trees before you use the wood chips as mulch. Ask them if the wood chips you intend to use will actually benefit your garden.

If you’ve ever gone foraging for mushrooms, you’ll notice that they tend to grow along woody areas. That’s because the spores that mushrooms grow from need the nourishment provided by the wood to grow properly. The spare wood chips you have can also be used for the purposes of mushroom cultivation.

Homeowners who are interested in growing their mushrooms will first need a special kit. That kit contains a material that has already been inoculated with the spores you’ll need.

Next, you have to choose where you want to grow the mushrooms. You can grow them along any shady spot in your yard. After choosing a spot, lay some wood chips on the ground there.

Go ahead and place the material with the spores on those wood chips now. Remember to check on them regularly as they’re growing. Some mushrooms are ready to harvest after about four weeks while others need to grow for five months.

Spare wood chips can also be used to create improvised walkways in your garden. Now, you may be wondering why you need to make those walkways at all. Well, there are some good reasons for doing so.

For starters, creating walkways using wood chips protects your soil. Even if you walk around your garden a lot, the wood chips will prevent the soil and grass from getting compacted.

The wood chip walkways will also double as layers of mulch. They will help regulate the temperature of your soil, keep moisture locked in, and promote better plant growth.

To create the walkways, you first have to process the wood until the chips come out with a finer texture. Next, you have to choose the spots for the walkways. Choose the areas you tread often whenever you’re working in your yard.

You now have to add multiple layers of wood chips. Keep piling them on until the walkway is about five to six inches deep. Just refrain from walking barefoot or with open-toed sandals on the walkways to avoid any splinters.

Do you have farm animals such as chickens or pigs on your property? If so, then you probably know all about how messy they can get. Cleaning up after animals all the time can get tiring really fast. To mitigate that problem, you should consider using wood chips as animal bedding.

Laying down layers of wood chips where your farm animals are helps control the mess they make. More importantly, the wood chip bedding also gives them a comfortable spot for resting. They can lie down on the wood chips and escape the cold ground.

Chickens in particular will appreciate being given bedding made out of wood chips. Since bugs like to check out wood chips, your chickens may receive some extra treats throughout the day.

The leftover wood chips in your possession can also be used to create a safer playground. Play areas with swing sets or monkey bars are popular with kids. Unfortunately, if a child falls from one of those pieces of playground equipment, they could take a hard fall.

You can prevent accidents like that from happening by adding wood chips to the play area. Multiple layers of wood chips can significantly cushion any fall and keep kids safe.

When creating the cushioning for the playground, make sure that the wood chips have a fine texture. You don’t want any jagged edges scratching the children playing.

Also, take the time to pile the wood chips up until they reach nine inches high. That should serve as adequate cushioning for the children.

Related Questions

What Are Some of the Best Practices to Follow When Using a Wood Chipper?

Wood chippers are powerful machines, but they are not to be feared. They can be used safely as long as you follow the proper precautions.Start by choosing the right clothes to wear when using the wood chipper. Avoid any loose-fitting clothes and anything with dangling parts that could get caught in the machine. You should also wear goggles, along with gloves and a long-sleeved shirt to protect yourself.Also, remember to use a long stick when pushing the wood through the machine. Your hand should never be anywhere near the machine while it’s working. Keeping the wood chipper on a flat surface will also prevent any chips from flying out unexpectedly.

Are There Types of Wood Chips That Cannot Be Repurposed?

Most types of organic wood or old trees can be repurposed when they get turned into wood chips. However, the same cannot be said for pressure-treated wood.Pressure-treated wood contains all kinds of toxic chemicals that are harmful to plants and people. Forget reusing those wood chips and just dispose of them entirely.