In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Firewood too old ? (Stale)

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by bogydave, Dec 9, 2014.

  1. oldspark

    oldspark

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2014
    Messages:
    2,534
    Likes Received:
    7,440
    Location:
    NW Iowa
    I'm sticking to what I said, I have an article on my old computer stating the same thing more or less but it explained that the bound water will in time dry out, dont think he is talking about punky wood as we all know that wood does not get punky unless not taken care off.
     
  2. oldspark

    oldspark

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2014
    Messages:
    2,534
    Likes Received:
    7,440
    Location:
    NW Iowa
    Do you know how many people still burn wet wood, talked about here all the time so whats wrong with stating in the article.
     
  3. oldspark

    oldspark

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2014
    Messages:
    2,534
    Likes Received:
    7,440
    Location:
    NW Iowa
    Seemed like many were thinking he was talking about punky wood, pretty sure he is not.
     
  4. oldspark

    oldspark

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2014
    Messages:
    2,534
    Likes Received:
    7,440
    Location:
    NW Iowa
    Now I remember why I stay out of these types of threads.
    Reminds me of when Battenkiller reported his findings over on Hearth and then many people told him he was full of crap.
     
    Stinny likes this.
  5. Stinny

    Stinny

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2013
    Messages:
    14,040
    Likes Received:
    60,058
    Location:
    western Maine
    :D
     
  6. oldspark

    oldspark

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2014
    Messages:
    2,534
    Likes Received:
    7,440
    Location:
    NW Iowa
    I dont think we probably notice it so much but I have cut Mulberry that was as light as Silver Maple when dry.
     
  7. bogydave

    bogydave

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2013
    Messages:
    10,313
    Likes Received:
    37,208
    Location:
    Alaska, North of Anchorage & South of Fairbanks
    +1
    Multiple wood types, all with multiple growing conditions
    varying weather & environments, varying temperatures & humidities
    split size, cut green , cut dead standing, cut downed trees.
    Cut in winter, spring, summer or fall

    How can the words always & never can be applied to firewood ?

    Is wood with 0% moisture better/worse than wood with 12% ?
    Some moisture a good thing ?
     
  8. Locust Post

    Locust Post

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    8,145
    Likes Received:
    45,200
    Location:
    N. E. OH
    I just know if I could cut all black locust there wouldn't be any debate or discussion about deteriorate, btu loss, stale or any other of this bally-hooing.......:dancer: :banana:
     
  9. Locust Post

    Locust Post

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    8,145
    Likes Received:
    45,200
    Location:
    N. E. OH
    I just heard on the radio that we should stop all this wood burning because it was fine for when we lived in caves but there's just to many issues with all this smoke.......:p
     
  10. bogydave

    bogydave

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2013
    Messages:
    10,313
    Likes Received:
    37,208
    Location:
    Alaska, North of Anchorage & South of Fairbanks
    LOL
    All those folks who preach that don't even burn candles for light & they eat leaves & sleep in trees.
    or maybe they took a hypocritic oath & are exempt for hypocrisy .
     
  11. bert the turtle

    bert the turtle

    Joined:
    May 30, 2014
    Messages:
    790
    Likes Received:
    4,222
    How old is coal? Used to be plants.
     
    firecracker_77 likes this.
  12. oldspark

    oldspark

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2014
    Messages:
    2,534
    Likes Received:
    7,440
    Location:
    NW Iowa
    This thread has broken up into fragments. Gotta love it!
     
  13. billb3

    billb3

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2013
    Messages:
    9,799
    Likes Received:
    50,302
    Location:
    SE Mass
    Doing real good so far.
     
    Paula and bigbarf48 like this.
  14. oldspark

    oldspark

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2014
    Messages:
    2,534
    Likes Received:
    7,440
    Location:
    NW Iowa
    Tip toeing, its all in what you say.
     
  15. bigbarf48

    bigbarf48

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2014
    Messages:
    2,344
    Likes Received:
    4,700
    Location:
    Stone Mountain, GA
    I don't see any argument or issues in this thread, just good conversation :handshake:

    No need to stay out of anything
     
    firecracker_77 likes this.
  16. oldspark

    oldspark

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2014
    Messages:
    2,534
    Likes Received:
    7,440
    Location:
    NW Iowa
    Well we had to get the dictionary out cause I did not know the meaning of the word deteriorate. o_O
     
  17. NortheastAl

    NortheastAl

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2013
    Messages:
    4,887
    Likes Received:
    28,153
    Location:
    Putnam County NY
    Any wood that is in a perpetually moist state will naturally breakdown from the microbes that eat it. All wood will return to the earth as compost, then carbon. Look at what sits in the woods for many years. Bone dry wood can last indefinitely. In my part of the state, it is humid or moist most of the year. I think they call our climate "Continental Humid." Mid-Atlantic states have this kind of climate. Very hard to dry out wood throughly. I've purchased 1 year+ seasoned wood that was still way above 20% moisture. Top cover and keep the wood off the ground, and it should last a number of years beyond 5. Stacking wood too tightly will lead to moisture being trapped, thus the process of breaking down the wood is inevitable, and probably within 5 years it will be Punky. Good air circulation is very important.

    This is one of those debates that I think the results really depend upon where you live and how you stack and cover your firewood. Know what you are dealing with, then plan ahead.
     
  18. Thoreau's cabin

    Thoreau's cabin

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2014
    Messages:
    388
    Likes Received:
    1,158
    Location:
    Vandalia, Ohio
    What's a horse got to do with anything?! :confused:
     
    Stinny likes this.
  19. bogydave

    bogydave

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2013
    Messages:
    10,313
    Likes Received:
    37,208
    Location:
    Alaska, North of Anchorage & South of Fairbanks
    Not sure why I think about this stuff, doubt I ever get 5 - 10 years ahead & have to worry about it.
    But , if I do.
    When I get 10 years ahead,
    I'll do a test of 5 thru 10 year wood.
    Might be a few years though, took 6 years to get 3 years ahead wood. :)
     
    papadave and Stinny like this.
  20. Stinny

    Stinny

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2013
    Messages:
    14,040
    Likes Received:
    60,058
    Location:
    western Maine
    How's that famous firewood hoarder motto go... the man who dies with the most firewood wins... ;)
     
    papadave and basod like this.