I'm working my butt off to get 3 years up.. This place sure does provide a lot of motivation.. This was our first year owning a home and burning but we lucked out that her dad kept his stack even though he quit burning 4 years ago.. So my first wood was 3 plus years. If not for backwoods and some others here, that would have been the only time I ever burned primo wood and would have always been wondering what made it so good I took this past week off of work and I'm pretty confident that we're 2 years up now after the quick dryers I was able to CSS this week. Gonna keep my eyes open this spring for some of the premium btu stuff that I can hoard for two more summers..
No matter what, 99% will agree on one thing but then there is always that 1% that does not agree. Just the nature of things. It is good to hear folks telling the difference they notice when burning 3 year old wood. And for the rubber roofing, it is the holes that I would worry about but then, they can be fixed pretty easy. Just have to be aware of them and even if you see a weak spot, tar it! It costs so very little and then you won't have the water running in. I've even had a couple spots where I swore I put the covering on right but had a spot where water got in. Boy those water logged pieces get heavy and then even after another year they still won't burn worth a hoot. On drying, some will still swear by 6 months or a year or 2 years and if it suits them that is fine but they can't think that it will work in all cases. For example, I've been to many states west of us and am always amazed at how dry it can get out there. No doubt there is a world of difference between the western states (except along the coast) than from the eastern states (especially along the coast). One good example is to look at this winter's weather. Just look at the new England area and compare the amount of snow that has fallen compared with, say Wyoming, western Iowa, Kansas (at least the western 2/3 of that state) etc. Or how about one of our members who lives at Armadillo Texas (pun intended). Things get awfully dry there and hot too. But the folks in Maine have totally different conditions. I know for sure every time we go east I am amazed at how much rain they get. We have a son living in PA and he easily gets more than double the amount of rain we get. He used to live in Connecticut too and the same thing there. On top covering. Yes, some say it is fine to not cover and they get along just fine. Okay, that is their choice and for some it might work out okay. But we can say for certain that even though the wood will dry quickly stacked in single rows and not top covered, there is a huge difference in how that wood burns. Yes, but perhaps if they'd try top covering and compare they might see the difference. Or do some experimenting like we did. It had been years and years since we had any wood that was left uncovered. Many of the forums swore that it made no difference. Well, it had been so long that one year we decided to leave some wood uncovered. Of course it was dry. There was no doubt it would not be dry. But when it came time to burn it, there was a big difference in how it burned and the amount of heat we got from the wood. Even got more ashes from it. The end result for us iss that the decision has been made that no wood will go uncovered here except for that first summer (split and stack in spring).
It has been so cold and windy here this winter, and the snow so light and fluffy, that it would have made no difference if the stacks had been left uncovered: the snow would just have blown right off the wood. Or been easily brushed off. I've only once or twice had to clear my steps, and then a simple sweep with the broom has sufficed.
BWS you make me laugh, I have had wood set in my garage for a year and can not tell the difference between the wood that was out side not covered. The single rows just dont need the top covered period during seasoning and my wood burns as good as yours I bet. When the weather is right I start fires 2 times a day and the wood fires right up. As far as disagreeing (I assume you are including me in the 1%), Scotty and I were talking about 2 different things. You talk about wind being very important in the drying process and single rows will get much more wind on the end surface which is where most of the moisture is removed from. Now I will add that this is just not me talking I can post links but many will just think them BS Many people dont have room for 3 years of wood and I would like to think some of my information has helped them out. If not I wont bother.
Old spark, I don't think BWS is disagreeing with you and you certainly add tons to the information on this site. That is what this place is all about. Everybody sharing their experiences. We all have to apply it to our own situation and you certainly have figured out yours. You just keep posting and keeping warm.....your method. damm, I love this place.
I've gotten both of mine for free... But I'll probably buy some this spring or summer if I find a decent deal. I did checked new prices it was over $200 for like 8' x 40', I believe.
If you read his post I think he is but I have been wrong before. He has disagreed with what I have posted before.
I hit a low point in my wood supply early this winter, but recently have scrounged a couple of years worth of ash. I am burning four year old oak now, but next winter will be two year old wood. After that will be another winter with two year wood, then three year wood again. I was way ahead a couple of years ago but got lazy.
Yikes, That is a bad memory! And I was really glad I was that far ahead. I am burning the last of my pre-accident wood right now. The dang dates I put on the stacks just have to remind me of that.
That's about the time I got really into the forum and they way of life. Sure glad that your getting back into the groove of life..... But thats one reason that I like the three year theory. You just never when the unexpected happens. It's much more to dry wood than just the drying period. The wood chain is one of those key elements to having continuous stock.
Well, Chvymn99, I can tell you that "the forum" (well, it was the other one then, same people though) saved my life during my accident and recovery. I don't know what I would have done with out all of the good friends on the forum.......probably would have lost my mind, or at the least, my battle to recover.
