Newbie from UK looking for some basic advice on what to buy

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.
We don't often get snow here before Christmas!

I'm saving my best wood for January/February when it's usually the coldest.

Good tip for the fire.......

When we used to have an open fire, I cleaned it out every morning and laid the paper and kindling, so when we got home from work we could just strike a match and warm up.

Takes some discipline to do that though..... ;-)
 
Yeah I was always cleaning it out the next day and filling the coal buckets and kindling bin ready....until this weekend.......let slip bad habits already. I'ts just got so warm here it's easy to forget it. I lit it up Saturday after I'd been out biking, it's nice then as I alwasy feel a bit chilly afterwards.

I tried the corn cob it was nice but I burnt one side.......just getting used to how quick stuff cooks.

My friend came round and gave me some small logs from a tree he had chopped down in his garden so I'm already getting set for next year, have put it in the shed to dry out....will it be ok there or does it need to be more in the open but covered? The shed keeps the rain out and it has various small holes/cracks to allow ventillation.

Fifi
 
I'd cut and split the wood and leave it i the open till late next Summer, after a few dry days in August it will be fine to go into a shed.

That's assuming we get a few fine days next August, I hope the weather gods don't plan to wash the Olympics away........ ;-)
 
Thanks Woodchip I'll get it back out from the shed......but out in the open? What about rain? Sorry NOOB here.

It's not that big to split, just small branches cut to correct size for me.....nice friend.

Fifi
 
Fifi said:
Thanks Woodchip I'll get it back out from the shed......but out in the open? What about rain? Sorry NOOB here.

It's not that big to split, just small branches cut to correct size for me.....nice friend.

Fifi
Click to expand...

Don't worry about rain or snow wet on the wood. The water only penetrates a fraction of an inch, and dries out in hours on a sunny windy day out in the open, a little longer in weather that's not so good. And seconds in the fire itself as long as you have a small supply of dry stuff to get a fire started to begin with. You can cover the top only of your woodstack with something, a tarp or whatever, if you want (but never the sides), or just bring a small supply indoors before a big rain is expected.

The key to seasoning wood properly and quickly is air circulation, and the more the better.
 
Fifi said:
ah I see I think I'm beginning to understand thanks, is it that the moisture I need to get out is like stored inside the tree stuff?

fifi
Click to expand...

Yes, exactly! Gyrfalcon explained it perfectly so I can't add much to that except to try and locate the wood so the prevailing winds blow through the wood to better dissipate the moisture.. Sun is a plus but wind is king when it comes to wood drying.. I do this with my wood for a year then place it in the shelter with the side tarps all rolled up during summer and fall then in late fall roll the tarps sides down.. This allows maximum drying time and then protects the wood from rain and snow.. This stuff is much more important when you burn with an EPA wood stove.. Fireplaces burn at high temps with lots of air so creosote not as big a problem..

Ray
 
Fifi said:
ah I see I think I'm beginning to understand thanks, is it that the moisture I need to get out is like stored inside the tree stuff?

fifi
Click to expand...

Yeah, exactly, the moisture inside the tree stuff. Takes much longer for that stuff to dissipate from the tissues of the wood into the air than water-wet on the surface from rain. Also why it's important to split down anything thicker than a couple inches before stacking it to dry so there's more surface exposed to the air. (It'll dry or "season" eventually, but it takes much longer if it's not split.)

People sometimes use the terms "dry" and "seasoned" interchangeably, which leads to confusion if you're new to this, so be alert to what's meant when you read. Usually, when people speak of "dry" wood here, they mean "seasoned."
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

L
Need advice on which wood stove to buy
Replies
4
Views
584
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
marty319
marty319
M
New member, looking for advice on wood insert vs. pellet insert.
Replies
10
Views
415
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
EbS-P
EbS-P
D
Slammer Replacement Advice
Replies
25
Views
879
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
mellow
mellow
I
Wood Stove Clearance Assistance
Replies
4
Views
381
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
begreen
begreen
A
Wood Stove in existing prefab fireplace?
Replies
11
Views
752
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
Aelee
A
Top Bottom
Back