dale1948
ArboristSite Lurker
I'm new to using firewood for heat. We purchased a house in a location where power outages are not uncommon so we have wood stoves (one came with the house).
I'm 65 and have a bad back, etc., so going out and cutting my own wood is out of the question. We have been buying it cut, split, and delivered for $60 a face cord. I see that as a very reasonable price but I have found much of it very difficult to get burning. Once I have a hot fire going it works quite well. But at first I go through a lot of kindling wood.
I realize the wood is probably not well seasoned which I suppose is pretty typical for wood purchased this way. But since we haven't had time to allow stacked wood to season, I have the following questions:
1. How can I make it easier to start a fire? Are there any safe tricks other than using up a bucket of kindling each time? I do try to split the wood down (I now have major tennis elbow because of this...ugh!). Someone once told me something about soaking dried pine in fuel oil to make fire starters. Anyone here ever hear of that?
2. Are there firewood sellers who sell fully seasoned wood? If so, how should I go about finding them? All I have called claim their wood is seasoned oak but so far I've only received 3 face cord that actually was seasoned (sweet!). The next load from that person was green as grass.
3. Where can I find lower cost scrap wood for kindling? Years ago I knew an old man who used to buy factory skids for this purpose. I don't know if these are still sold today.
4. Are those cheap Chinese wood splitters any good whatsoever?
Thanks for anything suggestions.
I'm 65 and have a bad back, etc., so going out and cutting my own wood is out of the question. We have been buying it cut, split, and delivered for $60 a face cord. I see that as a very reasonable price but I have found much of it very difficult to get burning. Once I have a hot fire going it works quite well. But at first I go through a lot of kindling wood.
I realize the wood is probably not well seasoned which I suppose is pretty typical for wood purchased this way. But since we haven't had time to allow stacked wood to season, I have the following questions:
1. How can I make it easier to start a fire? Are there any safe tricks other than using up a bucket of kindling each time? I do try to split the wood down (I now have major tennis elbow because of this...ugh!). Someone once told me something about soaking dried pine in fuel oil to make fire starters. Anyone here ever hear of that?
2. Are there firewood sellers who sell fully seasoned wood? If so, how should I go about finding them? All I have called claim their wood is seasoned oak but so far I've only received 3 face cord that actually was seasoned (sweet!). The next load from that person was green as grass.
3. Where can I find lower cost scrap wood for kindling? Years ago I knew an old man who used to buy factory skids for this purpose. I don't know if these are still sold today.
4. Are those cheap Chinese wood splitters any good whatsoever?
Thanks for anything suggestions.