I finally got a MM after years of denial. Reading in fresh split inside surface of the fattest, heaviest BL splits that sat stacked 2.5 years. Stacks are single rows separated enough to drive between, windy spot with little shade. We hope for GBE (good burning experience) this winter. This BL finally feels right (weight and sound - drop it on concrete floor = "DIINNNGG"). Some ash C/S/S for a year measured at 15% to 22% is also staged for this winter. I still don't completely believe in these MM's, so will report back mid-season on how this wood really performs. Thanks for this cool site and everyone's great posts.
That's awesome! I've got some 2yr locust that was still in the high 20s last spring. I have to check it again and see if its ready.
Gark, if you did it right, and that thing isn't lyin' to ya', you should be a happy camper this winter. The true test of course, is how it burns.
I have 2 year BL that is 18-22%, and it is gonna get burned in the cold part of this coming season (likely in January). Believe the MM.
I have to wait until January 2016 to burn my honey locust. Good news, I already have firewood for 2016.
Mmmm, 13-15% BL is about enough to make me drool. I have about 2 cords in the stacks that checked low 20% range last winter. Test burned one load and let the rest sit another summer. I had about 2 cords three years ago that was blow down from 1998. It checked 11-13% and was the best burning wood I have ever fed my stove. It still holds all the records for my stove including 18 hours 250-250*,28 hour relight without a match, and >650* for 4+ hours with the primary full closed.
DO NOT BURN THAT WOOD! Haven't you paid attention? Dry black locust will melt your stove down. You'll have to send it here for me to dispose of safely. Ok, really I'm just jealous cause I lost my locust cutting spot due to the owner selling the place. Oh well it was his house after all. Enjoy the warmth. A C
i cut some ded standi g locust last summer that was 10" dbh that i fifure was dead 2 summers? when i split it that day it was 15% on my mm. need to check it. i thi k i checked a piece early summer and it was 12-13%? sad thing is i only have about 1/5 cord of it
Yeah, the meter confirmed the samples' other characteristics (weight, sound, smell) and that the palm of my hand is 34% MC. It satisfied my urge for gadgets and will be used by a good friend who is a beginner wood burner to help guide him through the journey we all take. I like it.
I got almost half a cord of standing dead locust just a month or so ago, from a neighbor who was having it professionally removed. Most of it meters 14%, and I just stuffed my stove with seven splits. First split was next to the coal bed, and was in flames before I even reached for the second split. The difference between this and some other locust I burned at around 20% is significant. Sadly, it will run out before winter does.
That's some nice dry wood! I really need to get a MM. I bet that takes a lot of guess work out of it. It would be nice to find more variety of tree species here. It's mostly Ash, Maple, and occasionally Oak.
