Sooooo, I thought I would have enough... Then I ran out... Rant plus need advice.

[1967 Tempest]

SO I had scrounged juuuuuuuusssst over 4 cords of wood. Plus another cord I had of stuff that was too big. All dry. Cut split and stacked... Then I ran out. I called around for DRY firewood and I got a response of this stuff being dry and we can drop it off today.

They dropped it off and apologized for the massive amount of saw dust in the cord and gave me a bucket load full extra to make up the difference. It is a full cord, no complaints. But my wood which was sitting split for almost 6 months starts and burns fine. This stuff is slow to light and I have to keep the stove on high!!

I was made and then another guy called me back and said his was CSS from Hurricane Sandy. I said if you drop it off and its not dry, be prepared to come and get it. This stuff is better, but it is a lot of the bottom of the tree. So a lot of twists and odd shaped pieces. Starts a little faster than 1st cord, but not like i'm used to..

I have been getting by by mixing what little dry I have with this "moist" stuff. Thoughts?????


P.S. If I had known this I would have CSS 7 cord!!! I thought I had more, but I must have measured drunk..

 

[svk]

Stacking it as close as you can to the stove while still being safe will yield you mostly dry wood in about 2 weeks, maybe less. Split smaller and cut shorter will help too.

 

[woodchuck357]

Resplit it small and stack it inside close to the stove with a fan blowing warm air thru. You could try making a small klin, but it takes wood and electricty to run a klin.

 

[1967 Tempest]

Hmm. Outside the wood will not dry in the winter as its frozen, correct?

Smaller is easier. Stove is an insert.

 

[svk]

Hmm. Outside the wood will not dry in the winter as its frozen, correct?

Smaller is easier. Stove is an insert.

It will lose moisture but not substantial if you need to burn it this year.

 

[woodchuck357]

Find some odd sized pallets and turn them into firewood

 

[1967 Tempest]

So pallets are hardwood. I just learned that this instant

 

[woodchuck357]

Some are, some are softwood. The standard 40 X 48 are reusable and are worth 5 to 7 bucks in good shape, 1 to 3 when they need repair. Odd sizes can be found for free behind most stores.

 

[dave_dj1]

What are you heating that you used 4 cords already? I'm just curious. If you had known before you ran out you could have bought some not so dry and mixed it in.

 

[1967 Tempest]

I've been keeping the house at 78° since October. Plus i split it a hair on the small side. Burns nice...

 

[stihlaficionado]

I'd say for next season scrounge/buy at least 8 cord

 

[blacklocst]

I say if you have the room try to get 2 to 3 years ahead, heating with wood is a full time occupation.

 

[stihlaficionado]

I say if you have the room try to get 2 to 3 years ahead, heating with wood is a full time occupation.

Yes.

I'm two years ahead. But I also get as much wood as I want from a local arborist. Split, rounds, virtually all kinds in all shapes & sizes.

Don't know about your area but you may have to venture far afield to hunt down seasoned wood & pay a premium price.

 

[1967 Tempest]

I wish I had the room for 2 years, even one year ahead.

 

[zogger]

Mix in the scrap pallet wood with the questionable wood. It will burn fast and hot and help cook any residual moisture out of the normal splits. And stack as much as you dare inside near the stove, rotate the ends. We stay several days ahead here and that last little bit of inside drying is noticeable.

 

[unclemoustache]

Just so you all know, I'm still doing fine. No chance of running out this year.

 

[svk]

Just so you all know, I'm still doing fine. No chance of running out this year.

Haven't seen as much of you lately. I suppose the next little one will be here soon.

 

[NSMaple1]

What are you heating that you used 4 cords already? I'm just curious. If you had known before you ran out you could have bought some not so dry and mixed it in.

I read 5 cords burned already. At that rate, he'd need 12 cords for the winter.

OP - are you sure wood burning is for you? That is a huge amount of wood, especially for an insert - you will soon become a slave to it, year round. You must have a big house with no insulation?

 

[benp]

I say if you have the room try to get 2 to 3 years ahead, heating with wood is a full time occupation.

No.....kidding. I sometimes think having a herd of cattle would be easier.

 

[olyman]

I've been keeping the house at 78° since October. Plus i split it a hair on the small side. Burns nice...

the hotter you run the house,,esp above 69 degrees,, you will burn wayyyyyy more wood to keep that temp....as you have learned......try keeping it at 69. if it feels cold,,get a humidifier.......