Welcome to FHC Dmorris. Theres lots of good advice given so far. Putting the fans on the floor directed at the stove room is a neat idea and one that has been proven to work by many of us so make sure you give that a go. Also not sure if that nice stack of wood is staying there or will be moved but it doesnt look like its up off the ground at all. Do you have any standing dead trees kicking about? If so some kinds might already be below or near 20% mc.
Good point Sean. I hadn't noticed that. Should be on some "sleepers" set on the ground. Pallets, small trees, landscape timbers........
Thanks for all the great advise, never thought about blowing air toward stove room, that stack is temporary, next week plan on taking tractor and wagon back to get it, that tree stood dead for a couple years and laid on the ground a couple years before I got it, not spongy at all, I have several other dead trees standing and tops from logging 3 years ago on family property, but I also have 3 little girls at home so the firewood time is sorta hard to come by!
Good plan. I wasnt sure on that since it looks so pretty. Nice cribbing by the way I see so many people in my local area just stacking it in the dirt, such an unnecessary waste.
That is great if you can get standing dead to help you through. Just beware even if they've been dead a few years and standing, that bottom third of the tree is probably still full of moisture but the top 2/3 should be really good by now. On the fans, that can work even with the fan quite some distance from the stove. And if you have a long hallway, set a fan at the start of the hallway blowing toward the stove room. Again, you do not need a large fan nor do you want it on high or even medium speed. Low speed is best for this else the draft would be too much and you may not like that. In addition, if you have ceiling fans, make them to blow up rather than down as this will help the natural air movement in the house. It sounds backward but blow down in summer and up in winter. Once you get enough wood on hand, please consider beginning to get onto the 3 year plan. Even if it takes you 3 or 4 years go get that far ahead, the dividends are well worth the extra effort and once you get to that point, it is like when you prime a pump. You have to pump a lot at the beginning but then it takes just a little steady and easy pressure to keep the water coming. In addition, it will take less wood to heat the house which means less work for you. There are more benefits but this is enough to get most people turned on to at least get a start toward the 3 year plan.
Oh yes, on how much wood you might need. In your area I'd still plan on 3-4 cord per year. More is better because any left over is a start on the 3 year plan so it will not go to waste.
Thank you Horkn! I could not find it anywhere on the stove, just says model fw300011. I have tried since we bought the place to figure out what kind of stove it was! Does anyone have any experience/reviews of this stove? Or anything special I need to know about it? Any help would be greatly appreciated
Welcome to to da club , ya got a good start keep it up. The small fans on the floor blowing cold air to the stove room work very well in my house
Looks like you've got a good start, and plenty of good advice from others. You are on your way!:stacke:
Welcome Dmorris, yes if your girls are younger then helpin daddy is fun til about 12 and fingernail polish.. Since your new... and I was not to long ago ... a newer guy give you some easy advice.. first listen to the wise first go cut dead anything for this year.. go on amazon and buy a 20 dollar moisture meter.. as you split occasionally check a few new splits.. one that are 22 percent and below go to one side above the other.. Pine birch can go on lower side as it drys fast.. keep going... the low moisture side stuff this year will get you thru.. wetter stuff will be next year... do not fight trying to get heat from wet wood! Water does not burn and wet wood does not heat.. Post lots of pics and ask lots of questions.. good luck!
Oh man, if we could just get everyone on this same thought process, the world would be a gooder place.
Have not got a moisture meter yet, looked at a few on Amazon, not sure which one to get. Is there much difference between the 20$ models and the high end ones?
Nope, and nice to meet ya Dmorris It's a reference tool, and as a former test tech in a transformer factory, 5% tolerance isn't bad (depending on voltage class) and when it comes to wood.....if it's pizzing water when split, your eye will confirm what the meter says...."Wet" For some more helpful info on drying times, check this out from our own Web Guru Man, the one and Only Grizzly Adam - Firewood BTU & Drying Chart | Firewood Hoarders Club
I got one they recommended here I cannot post threads (haven't figured it out yet) but no mine was like 20 shipped has 2 pins .. general tool .. where your at if under 22 % now and single row stacked in sunny windy spot will be good enough this winter.. do you have a lot of dead ash? splits easy dries fast also..
