wet cord Vs dry cord

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cwill

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Oct 13, 2010
182
W. MI
I was finishing up splitting for 13-14 and noticed that the stacks for 12-13 have shrunk about 3" since last summer. my stacks came out to 3 cord when it was all fresh splits, now it is less than 3. Question is does everyone figure wet stacks or do you do a % over to end up at the desired number of cords?
 
They do shrink as they dry. Never thought about re-calculating the new cord amount because for all I know, the dry wood will make more available BTU's than wet wood. Wet wood has to waste heat changing internal water to vapor before it can burn. Maybe the dry wood BTU availability more than makes up for shrinkage.
 
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Maybe the dry wood BTU availability more than makes up for shrinkage.

Tough crowd here to talk about shrinkage.

KC
 
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As the moisture leaves the wood it shrinks. When we purchase wood, it is technically dry-seasoned, so as I understand it when they speak of cord, they are referring to post shrinkage. LOL.
 
Typically wood is measured after it has been stacked but this means that it is green wood. When I measure how much wood we burn for the winter it is measured with the dry wood and not the green wood measurement.

Most times we stack (green) in rows over 8' long and 4 1/2' high so it will be close to the cord measurement after it has dried. Wood sellers? Lord only knows but around these parts I do not know of an honest one. They load their trucks and tell the buyers there is x cord of wood and evidently most do not measure or argue. For example, one fellow cut some wood on our place and I asked one of his workers how much wood the truck held. He told me but added that when it was sold his boss stated it was 1 more cord than I was told. Then later I asked the owner how much and his worker was right! He told me the higher figure. So I measured. No way was either of them right...
 
I was finishing up splitting for 13-14 and noticed that the stacks for 12-13 have shrunk about 3" since last summer. my stacks came out to 3 cord when it was all fresh splits, now it is less than 3. Question is does everyone figure wet stacks or do you do a % over to end up at the desired number of cords?

Good thing to know though, stack your green wood 3 to 4" higher to have a full cord of dry wood.
 
Actually, I don't worry about just exactly how many cords of wood I have on hand...especially not down to the ± 4% level of precision. I can tell by looking at what I've got without measuring anything whether or not it's enough for a couple of years' burning. Yes, wood loses volume and mass as it loses water. This is a good thing. But wood doesn't just evaporate...which is also a good thing. Wet cord, dry cord...who cares? Split it and stack it and don't worry about it. :)
 
Well said Fossil.
 
Good thing to know though, stack your green wood 3 to 4" higher to have a full cord of dry wood.

It shrinks. Therefore its volume decreases.

I buy 12 cord on a truck, but it looses some air spaces when I process and stack it. 12 becomes 11.
Then it dries. 11 becomes 10.
But, as others state, its value increases as it dries. If I were to sell it, I'd price it per cord accordingly.
For my own measure, I stack green wood 4.5 - 5' tall, so I always know I have a "generous" cord.

Interesting question.
 
The measure for purchasing a cord of wood is so warped that the 5% loss due to shrinkage is nothing compared to the air loss we all surly receive from the seller of the wood who uses a backhoe to load your cords LOL. The more educated buyer gains 10% more wood +-(dont be afraid to ask and inquire prior to delivery ("simply ask the seller if after you have properly stacked N racked the wood it will measure to a proper cord of 4'x4'x8' and does his company stack it prior to payment? and also ask "how long has this hardwood been seasoned for and what type of wood"?) the kind old retired couple who just call up for a 3 cord delivery that gets dumped at their doorstep and frankly most other people who do not make it known they have any concern regarding these things loose a large piece of what they otherwise deserve and should expect. Trust me on this folks... the fact is most sellers want and need to gain every inch they can (but they only gain it from folks who are not educated enough to know better OR dont ask about these specifics beforehand! very good thread to make folks aware, well done.
 
What I think is most logical is that you are consistent in how you track your stacking & usage such that you have a good idea what you need for coming years.
 
What I think is most logical is that you are consistent in how you track your stacking & usage such that you have a good idea what you need for coming years.
I agree. My problem this winter was it was below zero more days than normal. I used about a cord more this year than last.
So having the supply of dry spruce was needed, maybe not next year, but as long as it don't rot, I like having some extra.
I dont think I can get closer than +/- 1 cord of how much I'll use per year. So I go with the thinking, "You Never have too much wood" & the extra worked out well for 20-11/12 winter. I even have about 1 cord of spruce extra for next winter. (just hope I don't need it :) )
Who knows, the lower 48 may get winter this coming season, having the extra wood you all saved from this past (non) winter may be needed, it will be seasoned well :)
 
I agree. My problem this winter was it was below zero more days than normal. I used about a cord more this year than last.
So having the supply of dry spruce was needed, maybe not next year, but as long as it don't rot, I like having some extra.
I dont think I can get closer than +/- 1 cord of how much I'll use per year. So I go with the thinking, "You Never have too much wood" & the extra worked out well for 20-11/12 winter. I even have about 1 cord of spruce extra for next winter. (just hope I don't need it :) )
Who knows, the lower 48 may get winter this coming season, having the extra wood you all saved from this past (non) winter may be needed, it will be seasoned well :)

Good point. I keep track of usage for each year (based on consistent stacking metrics) and plan to have more than needed ready. Worked hard to get ahead and should have the 2015/16 wood completed by end of May..... with enough planned for each year that exceeds my largest years usage. This year was about 20% less than last year, so it clearly varies significantly.
 
I agree. My problem this winter was it was below zero more days than normal. I used about a cord more this year than last.
So having the supply of dry spruce was needed, maybe not next year, but as long as it don't rot, I like having some extra.
I dont think I can get closer than +/- 1 cord of how much I'll use per year. So I go with the thinking, "You Never have too much wood" & the extra worked out well for 20-11/12 winter. I even have about 1 cord of spruce extra for next winter. (just hope I don't need it :) )
Who knows, the lower 48 may get winter this coming season, having the extra wood you all saved from this past (non) winter may be needed, it will be seasoned well :)

I used a cord less. If you want it, please feel free to come get it. I'll even help you load it Dave.
 
I used a cord less. If you want it, please feel free to come get it. I'll even help you load it Dave.

Sounds good.
Got directions on google earth, 3,817 miles. I get 19 MPG with the truck (no trailer) 201 gallons of gas to get there.
At best, 15 MPG with a trailer loaded with a cord of oak. 254 gallons for the return trip.
I loaded the 500 gallon fuel tank in the trailer & now no room for the wood. Dang, we had a good plan .
It was a good idea though LOL :)

Maybe it would shrink some on the return trip & I'd average 16 mpg :)

Wasilla to Chesaning.jpg
 
Can't fault you Dave for passing on Dennis's offer for a free cord since you drive through Chicago on the way. I wouldn't drive through Chicago for a free cord either.
 
I stack my wood in round stacks about 5.5 feet tall. They sprink 6 inches or more in the first year. That is about 10%! I am ripping myself off! As others have suggested, I bet useable BTUs actually increase because I lose water, not wood in the seasoning process.However, since we measure by volume not by energy content, I am getting short changed.
 
I don't worry much about shrinkage. My stacks are at least 5' high and nearly 4.5' wide green. I figure 20 cubic feet per foot of stack when computing cords on hand or consumed.
 
You can always buy dry cordwood and it will not shrink. Of course... the wallet will shrink instead.
 
Dave's plan was pretty good except for that part of going through Chicago. That is a no-no for sure! Be like a Yooper and cross the Straits because that way you get to see the UP too. Northern MI is 1000 times better than Chicago.
 
I have never done well going through Chicago!!! And I grew up and live near NYC!
 
Best way to see Chicago is in your rear view mirror.
 
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