can you use oak chips made of lumber? i have lots of lumber and hate to buy oak chips. how and or do you need to sterilize them?

Coming from a logging community I can tell you that most lumber is treated in one way or another. We dont have oak in North Idaho but I can imagine its treated just the same. I would opt for something from your LBHS or you could use the Jack Daniels chips that are available at Wallyworld and other places.

Just buy a small amount of oak firewood. That will last you for years cut into small pieces. If you pay for shipping, I'll send you some red oak.

oh yeah i have plenty of that too. didn't think of that.