They call me Bobby Maple I'm a new stoves man looking to learn. What is the best way to tell if your wood is ready to burn? Do I purchase a meter or just go by the color of my wood stack? I'm just trying to learn
If you want a new toy, buy an MM. I just write the last two digits of the year on the end of several splits with a fat marker. If you're so inclined, a color code could be used. However you do it, just make sure it's 3 years since it was split.
I purchased one, it came with instructions in Chinese. Found instructions in English online. Don't really use it. Overrated in my estimation. $.02
Yup, best thing is a calendar. But a meter is only $20-30...so if you want one, get one...can help you learn what a dry split looks, feels and sounds like...yes sounds...when a split is dry it will ring like a ballbat when knocked together with another...wet ones thud.
I still use mine, for the sake of curiosity when working up some dead trees that many feel are “ready to burn, cos they’re already dead!” Guess I like a good chuckle every now and then. Of course, a lot of blown down barkless Black Locust I go after can be on the fence (MC wise), so I check them for readiness without fail.
Certainly not a requirement but mighty convenient, especially when you are starting out learning. It will give confirmation to your guess as to if it it ready or not. After a couple years you won’t rely on it so much. But I will still fire up my moisture meter every once in a while just to give myself confirmation by checking a piece or two of a stack that has been sitting drying out. It’s also useful to see how various species dry at different rates. It’s just another tool that makes things easier but the world has burned wood long before they were invented and stayed warm without burning the house down.
Okay boys and girls you know what's coming next! The best device for determining the moisture content of split fire wood is a multi-year calendar.
Because I sell firewood on occasion it is a nice tool to have when the customers want to know what the moisture is. Funny most don’t know what it is supposed to be but ask anyway. I ended up using it quite a bit just because of my own curiosity. Even though I have a more than 3 year head start I still check the wood in the shed at the start of the burn season. Do I need it? No. But it’s a fun little gadget just to see how good my guessing skills are. And they aren’t all that good as I’m often surprised at the readings. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
if it wasnt for my moisture meter, I wouldnt know that my three year stacked oak is at 25% moisture still. I have limited areas to stack, and they arent ideal. I learned this year that I need to be on the 4 year plan.
Excellent answer If nothing else it’s great for a new burner to tell them their wood is not as dry as they think it is. Not everyone starts out three years ahead. A MM is a great way to learn the ropes.
$24 at lowes and i use it for the same thing most of the time dead standing trees and also i have it in the truck for the occasional sale. I think a new guy could learn alot from it.
First, welcome aboard Bobby Maple . I have one, but I bought it many years ago well before I started burning firewood. It can be a fun tool, but not needed once you get on a long term plan. There's the issue though, it takes 3 years to get to the 3 year dryness......maybe less, maybe more to be at the recommended 20% or less level. When was it cut, split, and stacked?
The mini harbor freight one is cheap and accurate. They’re fun. Not necessary but what the heck, right?
Mostly Maple, Has been sitting for about a year...Sat all summer in long island in the sun if that helps.
I bought my MM last winter on ebay and use it mostly for curiosity. Always split the log/split in question and take the reading on the fresh split face. Its the internal moisture that needs to dry. The reference chart on the FHC resource page is perfect... Firewood BTU & Drying Chart
Soft Maple should be good enough, but Sugar/Rock/Hard Maple might be a bit wet still. "Sat all summer".......split and stacked? If not, I'll amend my answer.
