Outside to cook a pig. LOL But OK; Maybe Arizona or New Mexico 1 or 2 fires per year. My wood would last a long time
Am glad I don't have to worry about space to store wood. Those that do, have more hurdles to jump to be able to enjoy good dry clean burning wood. But they don't know any different, having never had 2& 3 year seasoned dry wood to burn. Have read there is an increase in wood burners. This is sprouting more local government regulations to regulate it. Local government rules will grow into state laws. Educating wood burners about the need for dry wood, the "What" & the "How" will benefit all of us. Wood sellers that get on board early will build a good client base. A little more profit for them & clean burning wood for there buyers, word will get around. Easy to install solar kilns might be a boost to a wood sellers bottom line. Some UV resistant clear plastic on easy to install hoops big enough to cover a cord. Maybe some one here can develop, sell & become rich from the idea. $$$$ Education could develop a market for them & reduce the need for Gov't involvement. Maybe just wishful thinking. I laugh when I re-think my fall wood gathering experiences, Most cutters I met, were cutting wood to burn in a few weeks. Talking to most of them about the benefits of dry, 1 & 2 years seasoned wood was not very well received. Don't know how to convince those folks. Require wood burner courses before you are allowed to burn ?? Gov't again
My first thought was along the lines of what Paul Bunyan and Mr. Whopee suggested. Instead of a whole new stove (two stage thing with first drying stage using stoves heat to kiln dry the wood), could the space above the stove be used to stack green splits? On a heavy wire rack far enough above the stove to be outside the clearance-to-combustables? Or beside the stove with same safe clearance? Cheaper than a stove driven kiln, but ugly. Lends some moisture to the winter dry living space air.
I've given this subject much thought for several years but have yet to come to a conclusion. If education would work, that would be the simplest and easiest. However, we know it does not work. It seems that most people think they know what is best and all HeII won't change their minds. I've not liked the kiln drying methods and can not see where they would enjoy any mass appeal. So, what about the stoves? Can a stove be built that would take wood freshly cut and be able to burn it and do it cleanly? Would it be economical? I think it would have to work in at least 75% of the situations folks need, as I doubt something would work in all situations but it would certainly be nice if it could. I keep thinking that the stove itself might be the answer but I don't yet have that answer. Could something be built in such a way as to be drying wood while still providing heat for the home? In other words, similar to a kiln. It would need not only heat from the stove but also something to provide air circulation. This brings to mind the idea of the stove also providing enough electric on its own to run a fan. After all, we know it can run a small light. And how long at what temperature would it take to dry enough wood to keep the stove stoked up? Quite naturally the needs would be much different in spring/fall vs winter. Therefore there would have to be lots of variables. In addition if one could build this stove, why should he not then also make the stove more operator friendly? That is, it could regulate the temperature as needed. One might also have vents to separate rooms and thermostats in each room. As that room needed more heat, it would get it. If it needed less, then less would be provided, etc. Okay, that is enough brain frying for today. After all, it is a holiday weekend.
I think one answer has been figured out. "Burn what you got & clean allot" Those that cannot store 3 years worth of wood or find a supply of low moisture content wood of 15% or less just gonna have to deal with the issues of burning wet wood. Clean frequently & inspect often. Don't see many going thru the extra work to "kiln dry" their wood. A stove system would be a good answer, but am betting it would need cleaned & serviced often too.
