Got rained out this morning and couldnt go to work. Showers let up and i was jonesing to make firewood so i hopped in the PU and headed to the mini honey hole to split despite the high (mid 70's) dewpoint. Rounds split easier when wet IME. Left the saws home to only work on splitting. when i got there. LOTS of rounds from Sunday's cutting session. Mostly red oak. Didnt realize there were train tracks on the other side of the power lines. Train came thru while i was there. mound of oak splits from todays work When i left. Was hoping to get more done, but a have to remind myself its Summer and i was saturated with sweat when i left. AC in PU felt good! At least there was no sun!
I did the opposite of you today buZZsaw BRAD. When the rain finally let up I figured it would be a good time to buck up many of the logs I have been letting pile up on property. Thought the soggy wet wood might be easier on my 18 inch electric Black and Decker saw, but really didn't want to start swinging a maul in this sauna weather and get that over heated red face thing going on. I still wound up quitting before all my wood was bucked to size because I was starting to become drenched. Since I was in my own yard the cooling elixir for me was the hose set on mist. Well at least I did get most my piles of random scores (that were starting to take over the driveway and back yard) bucked, organized, and lined up for splitting. Property looks a little better and space is freed up now for future hoarding scores. But now a lot of splitting awaits me Hope some cooler dry weather gets here soon
Haha...You're kidding right? 100 degrees plus thunderstorms!. Next week should be better for some good splitting and stacking workouts. Of course I have family staying over this Sunday into Monday and the pizza oven is expected to be fired up...
You havent experience life til you've split in 100* weather...NOT!!! Im kidding! Dont do it! You have a fan? We have a box fan for the deck when we're out there. Helps keeps skeeters away too! You may be able to cook the pizza without a fire Urban Woods ! If not a pizza, maybe an egg or hot dog! I remember a kid doing a foil lined box and cooking a hot dog in elementary school science project. Do mix it up when making splits...ie sledge & wedge, maul, ax or will you just use one at a time per session? Next week much better Summer conditions. We're headed out camping in state again.
Nice that the weather cooperates for your plans huh? Yeah I'll get a fire going, but the oven might turn into a giant sauna rock steamer or fog machine if a storm comes. If that happens I'll take some pictures lol! I have to mix it up with my variety of hardwoods in all conditions and states of seasoning. I rarely use wedges (just inefficient in many cases for me), but I have had to quarter up these latest cherry rounds with them and hope that will do it so I can finish them up with the 8lb Isocore. That's my "go too" maul as of late, but I have a few different mauls for what the job requires. And yes I have a Vornado tower fan for the porch and also a ceiling fan in the screened in section. The screened room is for the skeeters and no smoking or cigars permitted. The Vornado (which puts out a nice quiet breeze) is used in the cigar section for cooling and to direct smoke away from angry faced choking protesters. Lol. I don't really smoke, but do like having a social cigar and some good drinks with guests.
Haha! Never considered working in the night hours. I think mostly because in my neck of the woods (not that there even are any woods) neighbors are about 25 feet away and would probably call the cops. .... Guess I'll continue to use night time to scan the FHC threads.
I'm sure your mom has had to put up with a lot worse from you during all those years T.Jeff Veal . At least here she knows where you are haha!By the way great picture. If there was a nativity scene for firewood this is it.
Well, as promised here are the pics from my birthday gathering and the oven. It was hotter than .....well, you know, but we timed the cooking to start at just before 8pm so things would have a chance to cool a bit outside first. This did seem to help and then the thunderstorm started to become a threat. Luckily nothing of any real significance came over our heads while cooking. The stove performed great once again and it was good eats all day! Below is a pan of Italian style Lemon Chicken that I made after we were done cooking the 15 small pies in total. Since the oven stays piping hot for at least another 3 to 4 hrs after the last pie is pulled I like to put some of those embers and valuable heat to good use instead of wasting it. I made a simple dressing of lemon, garlic, salt and pepper, olive oil, and parsley and poured it over a pan of chicken legs and thighs then tossed to make sure every part was coated. I placed the chicken into the 700 degree oven and entombed it by covering the opening with my large block of firebrick. Then I joined back with the party in the cooler indoors to have my birthday cake. I returned 30 minutes later to check on the progress only to find the chicken was already fully cooked! I think I enjoy using the oven more for roasting meat than for cooking pizza pies, but the pizza building followed by the 2 min cooking time is definitely more entertaining for guests and makes it a party.
Thanks Midwinter ...I guess I could've but I didn't think of it, plus not sure I would be confident enough to count on the oven to make my special cake haha. That said its something to think about and maybe I should start experimenting with baking sweets starting with simple brownies. Mmmmm hot brownies with ice-cream!
I love that pizza oven and the 2 minute cook time. I remember the closeout score on the improvised dome. Any specific wood used for cooking? Chicken looks tasty too! Like a picture out of a magazine! Cant believe you cooked your own B-day supper! A belated Happy Birthday to you as well!
What...You cant identify wood after its charred? Haha! Actually I used wood I thought would get the heat up and cranking and of course I also try to use my uglies for cooking just to free up space from the hard to stack pile. It was a combo of Ash mostly then Maple, then Apple.
Truck was still in shop so i took the Murano to the MHH. Hadnt worked there in a few weeks other than the boards across the way. I split 75% of the oak rounds that were there from prior cutting to get at the last few logs. I was in the shade for an hour. The sun made its way around and did it slow me down. Couple clouds came over but not much. Ended up bucking the rest of what i could. Noodled quite a bit and the 28" bar on the 460 zipped through them nicely. Im really starting to like noodling. Maybe its the hot weather? Easier than swinging the axe or sledge. I texted my friend and he says the closing on the property is before the end of the month so all the wood has to go ASAP. Guess i got too lazy with the heat (been busy with work and life too) and other scores too! Wood when i got there around noon. Had already noodled a couple logs and realized i didnt take pics first. Mound of oak splits on the left. Most of the remaining wood is red oak. and when i left. mound of oak splits when i left. Couple large oaks ill need the 36" bar to buck. May have been able to do it with the 28" but to many rounds to move and a bit cramped. Prickers in back too. The two support logs look to be usable as well. Going tomorrow morning to be in the shade and split for a few hours.
