This past summer I got about 3 cords of wood from a lady who's husband passed away about 3 yrs ago. I know this wood has been under cover the entire time since his passing and it could very well have been cut longer ago than three years. This is the stuff I posted about that had the powder post beetle issue when I got it. I heat the house with a Hardy OWB, but I picked up a little Trailblazer 1700 several yrs ago just to have a real fire out in my shop. I don't burn this often, usually only when I have some longer projects or when it gets in to the single digits. I don't think I fired it at all last year. I'm not on a 3 yr plan, more like 1-2 for this stove, so it's normal for me to get hissing with the stuff I normally burn. Randomly, I get a piece that hisses like crazy and bubbles moisture with this "well seasoned" stuff. It is super light and has been covered and has been inside for a few weeks. Is the powder from the beetles sucking up moisture? Seems like Silver Maple should be dry after 3+ yrs.
A few things come to mind. First, is it all pieces or mostly the limb wood rounds that haven't been split? Second, was it just top covered with a tarp or covered to the ground. Third, does it seem to be burning okay just a little sizzle? It happens where some pieces of wood just don't dry because of location in stack, shade, etc. A tarp to the ground would hinder drying. I've noticed some limb wood always seems to sizzle. If it's silver maple and seems to be burning ok I wouldn't worry about it.
It was in a wood shed at her place. I had it stacked with top cover here since July/August. It is a branch sized piece that wasn't split. Not worried, just curious since not all the 2"ish pieces do it.
I am burning rock maple I had css on pallets in full sun and wind since last March. I do keep my winters worth in the basement and run a dehumidifier for the first few weeks. I think I have only had one hiss and it was a branch.
Unsplit arm wood is not seasoned. It is sizzling because it has high moisture in the center, the tight bark on those 6" sticks really hold in water.
Interesting. I find crotches to be noticeably heavier than regular splits of the same vintage. I always thought it was due to density
