I don't understand why when some one is asking about a moisture , some people say you don't need one Actually it bugs the crap outa me If some one is asking about a moisture they probably could use one , or just want one. It's another tool that can help. I use one in the wood shop , why not for firewood ?
Yes, I've heard all the arguments about why you don't need a moisture (meter LOL), from just making sure you are 3 years ahead, to they are useless because they are not perfectly accurate, etc, but the fact is the number one most common reason people have trouble using their stoves is because of wood that isn't seasoned properly. And even though most people know their wood should be seasoned they really don't understand what that is because they often don't have an accurate way of determining if and when their wood truly is "seasoned". This of course is where having a moisture meter comes in, and the understanding that seasoned would means wood that is <20% moisture content. I believe that if every wood stove manufacturer or dealer gave out a moisture meter with every stove sold, and a little instruction book on how and why to use it, there would be a lot less people having problems trying to get their stove running properly, and at the very least it would make every new wood burner that much more aware of the importance of having properly dried wood fuel to burn.
I just dont get the negative comments about the MM's either, we preach and demand dry wood but for some reason many seem to not like the idea of the MM. Many reasons to have a MM Just starting out burning Dont have space for 3 years wood Have to buy wood (there is a biggie right there) Testing purposes (many have talked about trying different techniques to dry wood) And another thing many many woods do not take 3 years to dry if split and stacked properly.
Another way I use a MM I have sunny spots and not so sunny spots where I stack ,so when I start splitting a batch I get an idea of the MC and stack accordingly , drier wood in not so sunny spots, wetter wood in the sunny spots
Since I never have more than enough wood stacked, and I always burn wood, and I have the same variety from one year to the next, I burn the oldest wood I have available. I know when I burn it how dry it is. Disclaimer: I did get a moisture meter a few months back, on sale 72% off. I used it a few times. Then again recently a few times. It pretty much confirms what I know from handling the wood. I believe a moisture meter, and an understanding of ideal moisture content for EPA stoves, is very helpful for beginning burners. Wish I knew when I started burning, what I know now.
Spot on, papadave! My cheapo came in the mail today! Remembered to remove the cover from the points(wildwest ). Yep, they're sharp! "Instructions" we're laughable, but still a whole page long- of terrible English! "Calibrated" it a few places on my skin- palm, forearm, finga tips- right @ 30%.... Tried it in some of the hickory that will go into the kiln soon, 32% on a fresh split face... Yikes! And that tree had been standing dead long enough for it to have checked all the way out through the bark. Tried in on some oak I've been burning- 19%... No choice but to burn it, and check the chimney every 2 weeks! Gonna go stick it in some more wood out in the dwindling stacks- Eric
absolutely nothing wrong with burning 19% wood, sure 16% would burn a little better. A big portion of the wood I burned this year was 18 %
If you're accustomed to burning at 19%, do yourself a favor and let it season a bit longer. Personally, I have noticed the big difference between 18-19% vs. lower stuff/same species. But who knows? It might be just because I have a smaller firebox stove?
good question I'm not sure why but Eric VW said, I've been burning- 19%... No choice but to burn it. Maybe it's because of all the talk on here about how great three-year-old 14% wood burns I don't know
