This is why I use Pine and Poplar (and other less desirable wood) during the SS. I use less of the gooder stuff when it isn't really needed. We used all Oak, all the time when we first got here. What a waste, but I didn't know any better. I suppose Oak could be split smaller for the same/similar effect (I've done that with Ash), but Pine/Spruce/Poplar is quite plentiful for me.
I burned pine that was css 9 months all winter last year out of necessity since none of my hardwood was ready to go after moving the fall of 2016. It worked fine since I wasn't burning over night. One of these days I'm going to split the baseboard heat and zone the bedrooms from the rest of the house so I can burn 24/7 without turning the wife and kids into ice pops in their beds lol.
I fell behind on splitting and getting ahead and had to concentrate on procuring red maple last year because it dries so much faster than oak . Otherwise I would have had not so well seasoned oak to burn next year and I've gotten kinda spoiled with nice dry wood. I had and still have lots of white oak and pine to cut down that was and is easier to get to . I just keep plugging away at it when I can.
That's another great reason about posting up in fhc about wood work you've done. You can find out exactly when you css'd it. Well, that and it's super motivating to me when I see guys and gals posting pictures up of wood they've just processed. If I need motivation, looking on FHC will do it. Yeah, oak for me at least, takes 4 years to get seasoned. I'll take it, but I can get better btu stuff seasoned in half the time, or less.
I've had white oak css'd for 3 years and I'd say it needs another year before it'll be ready to burn. It's been standing in full sunlight with plenty of air and this is in Arizona where the humidity is a fraction of what most of you deal with. From what I can see the stuff just takes forever to season.
Oak is the only thing down here that takes two years. Everything else is good from 6 months- year. It takes time but we’ll worth the wait
White Oak has a closed cell structure. Moisture has to cross membranes in order to find it's way out of the wood. One of the things that makes it so weather and rot resistant, and stable.
Ever just not want to use it? Where I’ve been down a bit-I’m currently 2yrs ahead-I just dont want to break this cord down, red oak CSS 3yr, full southern exposure and plenty wind—-the pipe rack...Oh well-figure she goes in Jan/Feb
If you can find some "lesser" dry wood to use this Winter, you will not believe what that Mulberry will do when fully seasoned. Some of the best wood I've burned.
Yeah I have no plans on burning the mulberry this winter. I've burned some in the past, very nice wood and a lot of fun to watch with all the sparks.
Every picture should be assigned a date. Very valuable tool! So easy to snap a pic for that very purpose. I was all in till I noticed how tight the growth rings were on the white vs the really large in the red. I don’t have tons of experience with white, so I should do more research and testing now that I have a mm. Love Mulberry! Which I could get more.
Mine's good to go in a year. Generally under 25%. I don't have a modern stove either though, just an old forced air furnace that doesn't even have a gasket on the door. It's no wonder I have to get up sometimes three times during the night to stoke it on those really cold nights. It certainly does make creosote now on these not too cold days and nights. I've already taken the stovepipe outside and burned it off once and I'll need to do it again next weekend but after the cold gets here for good next month I'll be good until spring. To paraphrase Rumsfeld, you burn the wood you have, not the wood you would like to have.
I don't particularly care for how it smells outside when I'm burning it but otherwise it's a pretty good Winter wood. Drying fairly fast kinda makes up for any shortcomings.
That does not surprise me at all. I've always said that wind is the most important factor for drying wood outdoors. We've stacked like that in the shade many times with no problems. And also stacking 3 rows deep; that is common around here.
It sometimes is amazing the difference of how people look at the drying of oak. Some say a year is okay and most say 3-4 years is much better. Best for everyone to make up their own minds, I guess. Here we have someone from Arizona vs someone from Ontario. But, Chris does admit to a creosote problem so best to not go there. I'm not trying to stir up anything at all here but just trying to show some differences.
As far as I'm concerned, if a guy can get away with burning white oak after only a year of seasoning then more power to him. I wish I could do the same. I'm thinking the difference in stoves as well as the species of oak involved may have a lot to do with the matter. I will say that there is no way you're going to be able to burn Arizona white oak effectively after only a year seasoned in a new EPA rated stove. I know that's a fact. But again, I'm not dealing with the variety of oak nor the type of stove being used in Ontario.
You have good hot coals on a existing fire , throw it on, will burn great. Burning some now CSS 2 years. Awesome.
