hey guys, newbie here. Not sure if this has been discussed before but I recently order a Sthil firewood moisture meter and was wondering if you should test the split log in the middle going with or against the grain for moisture content? Appreciate any feedback, thanks guys.
My understanding (which could very well be inaccurate) is the pins should be inline with the grain direction. You gonna' split those rounds in your avatar? Oops, welcome aboard! Nic to see another new face....so to speak.
Fresh split at room temperature. What's more important than with or against the grain is to make sure you get the probes in deeply.
Thank you PapaDave, yes those rounds are split and stacked. Appreciate the welcome as well. I'm new to this Fire wood world and this looks like a great place to learn.
Just so you know, we'll need a detailed report of your setup......with applicable pictures. Kind of a rite of passage. Mostly, it's because we like pics.
This^^^ Moisture meters are calibrated for 70° temps. I've seen no discernable difference between readings with or against the grain, or on an end vs split given the splits and cuts were made at the same time. Welcome to FHC MikeyB !
Welcome aboard MikeyB from a former Long Islander Do you plan on just using the fireplace for ambience, or will you eventually install a stove or insert?
Thanks Eric, where were you on LI? The fireplace is used for ambience for now, currently heating that zone with forced hot water heat, but I have to lower that zone down when using the fireplace due to it warming the floor up a couple of degrees. Love that radiant feeling off the fireplace.
In Massapequa Park, My wife and I have been here going on 12 years. Originally from Elmhurst Queens NY...
Yeah, pics. So much easier to read pics than letters and words formed into sentences.....always jumbled up and all. Welcome aboard MikeyB
Isn't that where Kevin James' character on "Kevin can wait" is based? Someone on that show always has a "massapequa" shirt on.
Welcome MikeyB my meter says room temperature ... so on my fast drYing wood, birch, soft maple I single row stacked til I got ahead.. so for example red maple 9 moths stacked I check it both end and middle take an average.. per instructions on my meter.. an example I got would be readings would be 22 in middle 18 on pointed east end of split and 17 on other.. (stacks run north to south for most sun) that piece of wood averages 19% or ready to burn... this is a lot checking... so they preach 3 year rule here... meaning get 3 years ahead in cut split stacking (CSS) cause the slowest drying wood namely oak will be good and dry by then....
X2 I've seen no difference with or against the grain, this too, end vs split given the splits and cuts were made at the same time. Checking the outside of a chunk won't tell you anything , split it and check it then n there smack in the middle, to know what the moister content is inside the wood. Welcome to da club MikeyB
Welcome to FHC MikeyB as with what HDRock says Ive never seen any difference between with or against the grain but I switch back and forth just for amusement for just such conversations. You are supposed to go with the grain but we are just talking firewood here so it doesnt matter much at all. Room Temperature and in the middle of a freshly split round is key for checking mc.
