All the discussion has me wondering the best way to test seasoning (drying) firewood. Might need some help. I figure each needs wired with multiple sensors connected (elects needed) to a PLC. (Programmers needed) Several wood types from cottonwood to shagbark & hedge (wood cutter needed) Figure several chain saws. (need those with CAD) plus some mechanics. Figur some chain testing to be done during the cutting, (need filers, round & square (those with chain grinder too) A way to measure the chain sharpness & smoothness of the end cuts (that effects surface area) Various cutting speed, ported & non ported saw, speed effect smoothness too. (more CAD folks) I'm gonna make a sauna for wood, stack one row N/S, another row E/W One full stacked pallet, on a rotating platform. Then the same in an open field. (some one with a fe hundred acres of land we can use for 3 years) Then the same under the trees. (need someone with flat heavy timbered land) Some with bark on , some with bark off, some stacked bark up & some stacked bark down. Some cut in the spring, & summer & fall & winter. Some will be hand split, some with a maul , some with an axe (the hand splitter folks need to step up) Some horizontal & some vertical on a hydraulic splitter, Some on pallets, (Pallet hoarders) some on landscape timbers, some on spruce logs Some one to grade the split quality & size. from grade A1 select to "awful ugly " Some will be top covered all the time, some top covered only during rain events, some no cover at all. Various top cover material & methods. (everyone will need to cough up some of their top covers) A few mathematicians to Extrapolate the data, then manipulate it to meet the intended outcome, (a survey/pollster person & those who just can't let it go & have to argue the color of blue sky ) Develop factor multiples for my location in Alaska, (Including sun angles & slower earth rotation speed) Calculate the temperature coefficient of birch cut in October. evaluate then apply the aurora borealis effect . Then 3 years later I'll burn it all while arguing the merit's of each system is the best, What did I miss. ? I think we have the expertise to fill each needed discipline already here on this site. Who's in ?
I can cross stack the ends and program a PLC - not sure it will hold up in the elements for 3yrs though.... that is if you're starting with a Thesis of it takes 3yrs to season wood
And use your slide rule to figure it all out. Or linux - forget Windows. Hey, waitaminit, this has all been done here before, hasn't it? Scattered about in thousands of posts. Dave, ya had me laughing so hard that DW was dialing the crazy-wagon.
+1 It's all been done here by someone. Many wood types, various saws, & chain types multiple stacking methods, locations & environments, Lots learn from all the info. But in the end; we each develop & use a method that works best for us (individuals with many different locations & variables) 1 week to 1 year , to 5 or 8 years. Some like to keep experimenting with different techniques. What maters to me that no one is intimidated to post their techniques , methods & set ups. All are good. Most all can be improved. None are perfect & mother nature throws us all curve balls. Mine is the best for me today. Yours is the best for you today. Great bunch of folks sharing several common interests.
You also missed Oak, Poplar, Spruce posts. And you call yourself a scientist. Pft. Other than that, ......my head hurts.
I'll give you poplar (though it rots fast) oak (but who would use oak to stack wood on. a wood snob ? ) LOL
I'll take the high UV exposure site duty in Hawaii.... We can add Palm wood as one of the variables...
I have never had the pleasure of burning hardwood, some posts I read here @ hardwood seasoning boggle my mind as I am not familiar with it. Hubby does his method, and we are warm and safe! To each his own
Dave if you are going to head this up you are going to have to install a few more stoves.....we need to be able to see the variables of cat vs non cat, you should know that by now.
bogy. Will you be doing your own video version of burning wood with ice on it like that other guy did?