In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Moisture meter vs. hissing wood

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by SeanG, Mar 5, 2015.

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  1. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    U betcha HDRock, that's the reason! I've got a shiny glaze top 3' of chimney. Few if any "potato chips"- just irks me to see this, after reading of such little sweeping and clean up. I know it'll come with time, but dang, hate to see gloss associated with wood burning!
    Eric VW
     
    Eric VW, Mar 7, 2015
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  2. HDRock

    HDRock

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    Well your cap is going to get goobered up no matter what
     
    HDRock, Mar 7, 2015
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  3. oldspark

    oldspark

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    Most of my wood is about 17% which is about as low as I can get it here in Iowa but I have burnt 19 or 20% and really cant tell much difference.
    The point is 19% is below what is recommended and should not give any problems.
     
    oldspark, Mar 7, 2015
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  4. oldspark

    oldspark

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    Do you monitor flue temps, a cool chimney can give you creosote even with dry wood.
     
    oldspark, Mar 7, 2015
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  5. oldspark

    oldspark

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    With the relative humidity we have here in Iowa about 16 to 17% is all the lower I can get it no matter how old it is.
     
    oldspark, Mar 7, 2015
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  6. yooperdave

    yooperdave

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    Ya gotta try one of the augster's solar kilns!
     
    yooperdave, Mar 7, 2015
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  7. oldspark

    oldspark

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    Not sure what the point would be, I start a lot of fires from scratch in the burn season and have no problems what so ever.
     
    oldspark, Mar 7, 2015
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  8. HDRock

    HDRock

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    I think 16% is about the bottom line here unless it's ,I guess in the middle of the summer
     
    HDRock, Mar 7, 2015
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  9. HDRock

    HDRock

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    I do too and don't have any problems but I have some shagbark hickory that I would like to burn next year and if I put it in a Solar kiln I probably will be able to
     
    HDRock, Mar 7, 2015
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  10. oldspark

    oldspark

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    I like the idea of the solar kilns but dont have any use for it as I have plenty of room for wood and time to cut it.
     
    oldspark, Mar 7, 2015
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  11. fox9988

    fox9988

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    Same here. The solar kiln is interesting and would be great for someone in a bind with wet wood or no room to stack and store. I could have used one in '12.

    ETA: I agree, nothing wrong with 19% MC.
     
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2015
    fox9988, Mar 7, 2015
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  12. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    I do, right where the flue pipe goes into the thimble, using a magnet type thermometer. For some reason, I can't reliable keep it in the yellow(burn zone). I get there, and it either wants to run away, or dip back down(creosote). I use an "Imperial" burn indicator from Lowe's...
     
    Eric VW, Mar 7, 2015
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  13. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    Flue pipe is 6" round, goes into 6" square flue tile, about 22 feet tall. Easily clears the ridge of the house, no trees or taller buildings around. Total of 4' out of the roof, all square chimney block, air gap between the teracotta flue tile and block, like I said for 22' up from the thimble.
    Thoughts?
    EVW
     
    Eric VW, Mar 7, 2015
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  14. fox9988

    fox9988

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    Imperial thermo's are notoriously inaccurate but mine is very close with my IR. Maybe you got lucky too.
     
    fox9988, Mar 7, 2015
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  15. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    The chimney goes thru the center of the house. There's about a 5' section of it in the attic, which only sports ceiling/joist bay insulation, so pretty chilly up there. Would it help to insulate that portion of the chimney?
    E
     
    Eric VW, Mar 7, 2015
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  16. HDRock

    HDRock

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    what are you burning your wood in
    do you have an IR to check the accuracy of your thermometer
     
    HDRock, Mar 7, 2015
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  17. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    It's in my sig. A wondercoal, which is literally no different than my buddies wonderwood...
     
    Eric VW, Mar 7, 2015
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  18. HDRock

    HDRock

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    sorry I looked in your sig but I guess I missed it
     
    HDRock, Mar 7, 2015
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  19. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    Eric VW, Mar 7, 2015
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  20. HDRock

    HDRock

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    well if you have questions about your chimney you should probably start another thread you will get more input and get some answers from people that are more qualified to answer them than me
     
    HDRock, Mar 7, 2015
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