Locust observation

I've been burning some locust this year. It's about 3 years split and stacked and shows about 12% moisture on a meter. It burns hot and leaves little ash. But, unless I throw some cherry on (equally dried) the locust doesn't produce much flame. It seems to want to just "burn" as coals, albeit very hot coals.

Anyone else experience this with locust??

 

Yep. The little bit I had required more air and more time than normal to get going. I mixed in other woods as you did, and burned as usual.

 

I find it very similar in burn style as Mulberry (minus the occasional POP) It sure does burn long and hot with little ash. I've never filled the firebox with it. I've only been burning 4 years and I'm afraid that it would be a very, very hot fire. I keep learning a little at a time, at my own pace. There's a lot to be learned about the different woods that you burn! Good stuff you've got for sure!

 

I also found that it sparked a lot when opening the stove door

 

Very interesting, and good to know info. I'll have a cord of locust ready to go in a couple years, so I'll have to remember!

 

I notice that all the really high btu wood, be it locust, shagbark, beech, or ironwood, likes a split of "softer" less dense wood in the stove to get the gooder stuff going.

I've loaded my stove with all high btu wood many times in the year I've had it and the been no issues.

Guys like lukem load their stoves with all hedge and that's the highest BTU wood out there. His stove hasn't melted yet.

 

Not yet. Imma tryin but she stays solid erry time.

 

Thanks for the informative replies. Good to know what I've observed is not unusual.

You guys are the best!!

 

Locust, Hedge, & Mulberry all have little pockets of sap trapped in the cells. When they get hot they pop, hence the fireworks. Some of the best BTU's going, but a bit of care is required when reloading. As stated, seem to burn better with a "kicker". Great heat on those really cold nights, just gotta watch the air control.

 

NOT here,
my stove wouldn't know what to do with all the BTUs in locust.
I burn birch.

 

All this talk about black locust inspired me to go get a load that had been stacked the last few years.

 

In honor of Dascro's birthday I thought I'd resurrect this thread and throw up a nice pile of black locust splits.......happy, happy day...

 

Thank you. The locust pile is appropriate.