Firewood Question

booklover · #1 10/12/08, 07:27 PM

We do not have the resources to cut our own wood, so we buy it for supplementing every winter (we have c/a gas heat and a wood burning stove in the living room). I was pretty disgusted last year by the "seasoned" wood, so I had our wood brought in months ago so I could make sure it was seasoned a good 7 or 8 months at least this year.

With the harsh winter predicted, I'd like to bring in one more cord. This close to winter, though, I would want to make sure it truly is seasoned. Would it be rude to use a moisture meter to make sure the wood is seasoned before they deliver it? I'd read that seasoned wood should be about 15% moisture. Is that correct?

Thanks!

Oldcountryboy · #2 10/12/08, 09:27 PM

Not sure on the moisture meter but if you already have several seasoned cords then you could burn these up first before you touch any unseasoned wood. Hopefully by the time you've burned your seasoned wood up, the rest of the wood will be seasoned enough to start burning on.

gilberte · #3 10/13/08, 05:03 AM

You don't need a moisture meter. Just look at the wood, the ends should be splitting/cracking, some of the bark should be loose and separating. Pick up a piece, it should be lighter than what you'd expect for its size. Bang a couple of the smaller pieces together if you can, this should produce a solid ring, not a dull thud.

On the other hand, if you're truly anal, go ahead with the moisture meter

beaglebiz · #4 10/13/08, 05:07 AM

this is good advice. Seasoned wood might be harder to come by soon. I bought 6 cords and we only have a smallish woodburner, and we both work

sugarbush · #5 10/13/08, 05:11 AM

If you buy from a tree service you can bet your wood is not seasoned... If it is from a firewood dealer it more than likley is.... The tree guy will use what he has to fill orders because it is not is main source of income... The firewood dealer has a reputation to uphold that his lively hood depends on....

Moisture meters are pretty cheap, but they will only read the surface moisture anyway so it really will not tell you much in firewood.

**Cabin Fever** · #6 10/13/08, 08:06 AM

Besides the cracks and splits on the ends of the pieces, I would "test" its dryness by hitting two pieces of the firewood together. It the sound it makes is a dull thud, the wood is still green. If the sound is a nice clear "smack," the wood is seasoned.

Michael Kawalek · #7 10/13/08, 11:10 AM

If the seller himself does not have a moisture tester, is it really fair to test it in front of him? If he conscientiously stacked and dried it over the summer and "thinks" it's seasoned would you argue with him about the price because of a number on a digital display?

I think your best option is to buy two winter's worth of wood now and store it in two piles, with half of it for the winter of 2009. That way you've guarantied yourself wood that's been seasoned for more than a year. Come the summer of 2009 you buy another winter's worth of wood, but that will be stored for a year while you consume the second pile you designated for 2009. That strategy can be repeated forever.