Hello all, Recently moved and now have our first wood fireplace. Got a Cord of mixed hardwood on a recommendation from a neighbor. The guy said its seasoned and ready to burn, but other than internet searches I have no way to verify. So I figured maybe someone could take a look and possibly tell? Thanks in advance
Does not look seasoned to me. The yellow wood you have is mulberry and it typically turns a dark gold, somewhat brown colour a few weeks after being split. If you want to know for sure, head to Menards or a Home Depot and pick up a cheap moisture meter-- split one of the pieces, or use a chop saw if you don't have the right equipment and test a freshly split/cut edge. Seasoned with be less than 25%, I wouldn't be surprised if this reads OL (overload) from beings too moist to get a reading.
Ya. Lowe's has an inexpensive moisture meter as well. This one below is $19.99 and I have one and use it. Works fine. Hard to tell from a picture, but looks pretty freshly split. http://www.lowes.com/pd_78059-56005...pl=1¤tURL=?Ntt=moisture+meter&facetInfo=
Some of the splits in the blue bucket look like they were cut and split 5 minutes ago. (Seasoned for 5 minutes - qualifies as seasoned ! Woo-Hoo!! ) Some of the ones outside the bucket look like they've been out in the sun and weather at least for a while, but could also be the end piece of a log exposed for months. I'd only be able to tell by weight the species I am familiar with and even then I'd want a MM for confirmation. Fresh cut can lose its fresh smell long before it seasoned so that's not much help either.
First off, welcome to FHC ! Congratulations on the new house & firewood lifestyle. As far as seasoned wood that you got? It's not, as the other guys have mentioned. That yellow wood looks to be mulberry and should be a burnt orange if it's even remotely seen the sun. All the others just look too new. But get yourself a moisture meter to save yourself a headache in the future.
Thanks for the replies! I will grab a moisture meter and have a chop saw in garage. If does read greater than 25% what are my options? Stack and leave for next year? Then find a new cord? Anyone from MD by any chance?
Welcome to the land of the woodenheads! There is much that can be learned here and many friends to make! Dat aint seasoned wood! Generally speaking, you won't find firewood dealers selling truly seasoned wood; that is wood that has been split and stacked in the sun and wind for up to 3 years, depending on species, prior to the sale. Most are tree services or guys that don't have the space and time to properly store fire wood for the right amount of time. Time is money and fall and winter are "quick cash" times for these folks. You might get it to light and burn but it's gonna' be tuff and you run the danger of fouling your smoke pipe to the point of having a fire where you don't want one. Sorry to throw a bucket of water on your warm thoughts, it's not meant as a reflection on you. Maybe find some clean pallets and bust them up and mix with your wood so it gets started quicker and burns a bit hotter.
I have to agree...fresh split lookin. What makes me question the level of seasoning is a rather abundant lack of any radial checking. I would expect to see a lot more of the cracks going from core to bark that is evidence of the drying process. It is not a surefire way to determine seasoning but is an indicator.
"Seasoned" by the sellers standards, looks to me like it was setting around not split and then split shortly before selling hence the yellow color of the Mulberry Grizz mentions. Howdy and welcome!
Three options that I can think of-- stack it to dry for next year. Burn it now and know it's going to be frustrating, pollute like hell and cause creosote build up-- do a monthly flu inspection if you do this option. Last option-- find some uber dry wood, like untreated lumber scraps and mix in to make life a bit easier. Still check flu often. We used to get lots of little blocks and bits from a local pallet manufacturer-- helped us get through our first two winters.
Oak 1\2 cord $100 Cord $185 Mixed ( cherry and oak ) 1\2 cord $100 Cord :$175 It has been seasoned 2-3 years and has been covered form the weather and is 16-18 inches in length and delivery and stacking is available its wood stove ready its been cut For 2 years and its dry and under a tarp Seems like this might be more of what Im looking for?
Some of it looks like it's been split for at least a little while. Most of it looks like it was split as he loaded it for you I'd stack that for next year, and try to find some dry stuff this year. If you have to buy wood, buy in advance. Most (not all) wood sellers have no idea what seasoned wood is
Ask specifically if it has been cut in rounds for 2-3 years or SPLIT for 2-3 years. It makes a big difference. Lots of sellers mean it was cut in rounds for X years when they say stuff like that. The splits will still be wet even after being in round form for a bit
I would be very surprised if you found any sort of dry wood from a seller in January. You can burn wet wood. It just takes more work. If that is all you have available, you can get it to burn.
We had to burn wettish wood march-may last year. It was a pain to get going, and keep going, and I think less heat. But we still stayed warm
Agreed! And I would add this: I have NEVER seen seasoned wood from ANY firewood seller, period. 999 out of 1000 of them split the wood as they go, they don't have tons of storage space to season wood for 3 years.... Another option for you is see if there are any Kiln dried wood sellers in your area. Those are very dry woods, ready to go upon delivery, but you do pay a premium for them.
