So, this year I've got more of this stuff than I ever have had in the past and it's dry too (almost 2 cord, if I choose to use it). I've had 2 overnight fires with almost all Maple, 8-9 pieces, and when I get up in the morning, there are still coals in the stove and it's right around 250 degrees. I know it won't keep the house warm overnight when it get s real cold out, but for now, it's doing better than expected. I'll keep experimenting as the cold slithers in to see how it does. I'm curious.
I only had Silver Maple to burn the 1st year I had my Stove. We stayed warm. Seasoned Maple is better than green Oak
Dave, I got a butt load of maple, "all sorts" It's not oak, but my house stays warm with the old fishers. In the evening before the Mrs. and I hit the rack, usually about 10pm, I put in either a couple good size splits, or a big round. I will still have a lot of hot coals and the stove will be 250* in the morning. I'm down here on the shore and the dam wind blows till May, the house will be 60 to 65* when I get up even in the coldest time, Jan/Feb. Maple is not bad in my opinion, I have about 7 to 8 cord of it!
I guess I just forgot how well it does, and I've never loaded the stove with just Maple before. I put about 1/2 cord in the shed for Nov., and about the same for next spring, around March or so........I hope. The weather doesn't always follow the same plan I do.
Once we're done with the shoulder season wood we feed the stove cherry until it gets real cold, then we hit the sugar maple & beech stack. Burn it until you can't.
I have a lot of soft maple and I think it is great firewood. It starts well, burns well, and lasts longer than you'd think. Around here I have Red Maple. Not too many Silver Maples in my neighborhood.
Dave, you did well. We burn quite a bit of that around here and have for many years. You are correct that mid winter is not the time to fill the stove with it and then go to bed because the fire won't last as long as that oak. Burn it in the daytime during winter but fall/spring burn it anytime. Added benefit is super easy splitting and fast drying. I do not know of any wood that dries faster than soft maple.
Another great softwood Dave ! It's great I love the stuff and wish I had more this year. A couple of years ago that's what we burned primarily with a little ash mixed in too. Another very good use is kindling because it burns down fast and hot.
So far, the plan is working. Pine, then Poplar, then Maple, then Oak, Maple, Poplar, Pine. I wanted the Pine/Poplar to last through Oct., then move to the Maple in November, and mix as needed. I have Poplar left for days, but started in on the Maple overnight.
I know lots of guys around here that will only burn oak or hickory however I have found I like the variety for different times of the year. It's nice to be able to pack the stove full of pine during the shoulder season and not run yourself out of the house.
We keep some of the lighter wood species in reserve for deep cold winter rather than using it all up in shoulder season. One split in a load of more reluctant heavy wood (black locust) helps get 'er going for those peak season loads. Soft maple is really good for that.
I wish I could be that picky…. I burn "nearly" anything as long as it's hard and dry!!!, and "FREE". "NO PINE" no exceptions….. My chimney stays very clean and I like it that way!
I segregate the Maples...no sense burning Sugar unless its blowin and cold unless you got it to burn. Same bang as Oak wo the 3 yr wait. Until I hit 40 cord, there is a place for everything including pine in my pile.
S&W, yep, I've got a small bit of Sugar for a couple years from now that I put up earlier this year. I know right where it is in one of the stacks. I keep most stuff segregated too.
Im about 90% oak and might be putting my new saw to use this weekend at my BIL. He has some trees to come down and Im hoping they are beech so I can get enough wood to season by next winter for when I get my stove.
this years wood is mostly sugar maple some elm and a smattering pertinear everything else. I got some more at the shop but haven't checked to see it's moisture content yet, I will have to grab a couple pieces before it rains again see where its at,. Do not really need the sugar yet isn't that cold. Been burning the uglies as I get them dug out mostly and I have small pile of pine cutoffs need to get that gone before it turns white outside as its in the way a bit. Still working on a big willow pile, dang stuff acts like sponge when it rains, then acts miserly about giving it up again. I will likely end up running it through the chipper next spring just to get it cleaned up as some of it is getting punky.
