3+ years and same problems with wood stove

Hello,
I have received great advice from this forum and I am very appreciative of a place to come for questions to be answered. I am no expert on wood burning stoves, but I have had the one I have now for 3 seasons. It is an EPA approved New Englander. The first year was a disaster. I bought wood and it was all pretty green. But, the next year, I had cut my own oak, it was split and seasoned for about 11 months. We had a very good year last year.

This year, I cut my own oak and hickory, split and seasoned for 10-11 months. This year has been another disaster. Wood won't burn, get a rolling hot fire -leave door open for 10-15-20 minutes or more, then shut the door and fire goes out. I checked my flue and stove pipes - all are clean. Flue is in good shape (it had never been used before I used it 3 years ago). SURELY all of these EPA approved stoves cannot be this persnickety about wood! I am about to tear what little hair I have out I do not have the room to store 2-3years of firewood so it can season for 2 years. I have folks at church that have newer, epa approved stoves, and cut their wood a few months before they burn it and do not seem to have any problems at all. I am seriously considering to an old Fisher Stove (if I can find one). This is ridiculous

Any help or suggestions (or sympathy) would be greatly appreciated.

BTW...got done writing this post, went to check the fire (door on wood stove is cracked open) fire was completely out ARRRRRRR!

Thanks for the advice. I just do not understand why others who have EPA approved stoves that I know can get by with wood they cut well after mine is cut, split and stacked - and 11 months isn't long enough. Oh well...I guess it is what it is. Thanks folks. It's just really frustrating.

Shari said:

As you already know: it's the wood.

Your best bet would be to find an experienced EPA wood stove burner in your area who has excess well seasoned wood and see if they would be interested in swapping out wood with you.

Yes, all the EPA stoves are persnickety.

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That would be a great idea, but - around here - most people don't cut their wood until November I have known of and seen them out cutting wood in December and January to burn right then.

setitonfire said:

Have you tried purchasing kiln dried wood from your supermarket or hardware store? From everything I've read on this site, 10-11 months is no where near enough time for the oak to dry out properly. Try 2-3 packages to kiln dried wood to test if it's an issue with your fuel or how your managing the stove.

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I've got some dry kiln oak kindling (came from Lazy boy factory - a man in our church works there). It will burn ok. But, you could almost breath on it and catch it on fire.

So, I guess the answer - if I stay with this stove - is to have 3 years worth of wood on hand. One - to burn (2 years seasoned), one with a year's worth of seasoning for next year, and a third just cut for 2 years out. WHICH means, I won't have a decent fire at this point for at least 2 years, because I only have enough on hand for this year. That seems just crazy. There is no buying "seasoned" wood around here. I do not know of anyone who has to deal with wood in that way. I don't have room to store 18-20 rick of wood. Well...I guess it is, what it is.

oldspark said:

Maybe its not Oak or another slow drying wood, maybe it was dead and somewhat dry when cut, buy yourself a MM and remove the guess work.

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What is an MM? Moisture meter?

dmmoss51 said:

Have you had your chimney cleaned recently? You said last year was a good year, but you were probably also burning green wood then which would have a greater tendency to build up creosote in your chimney which is not only dangerous in terms of chimney fire it could also greatly reduce the draft making this year harder.

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Chimney is fine. I clean it at least twice per year. I checked it they other day, and it was fine.

USMC80 said:

Exactly right. Find yourself some Ash, Silver Maple, sassafrass etc. 8-10 months split and stacked and your set. Poplar too

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Thanks. That is probably some good advice for me. I have mixed other woods in, but I went with only oak and hickory this year ( I have a smidgeon of maple). I really like oak. But, will probably have to cut some other for next year.

BurnIt13 said:

Tell us about how the oak is stacked. If you had a bazillion cords of oak stacked...you have the luxury of time and can stack it 10 rows deep if you wanted. Since time is not on your side I would recommend stacking it in single rows with access to plenty of airflow and sunshine. Keep the wood out of the shade if possible.

I am a new burner (3 yrs now) and have gone through what you going through now. After year one I made sure to get ahead 3 years because all I have is oak.

I C/S/S some 3 cords of oak during the spring of 2011. It is now 18-24%. I burnt a load of it two nights ago and although it burns better than it ever has some of the really large splits still sizzled a little bit. It is stacked in single rows but doesn't get full sunshine.

Moral of the story:
In ideal conditions with plenty of wind and 100% sunshine, oak "may" season in two years when stacked in single rows. In typical conditions, 3 years is about normal. 4+yrs if you are like my dad and store your wood in the forest.

After I learned my lesson the first winter I cut and stacked maple, cherry, and ash in the spring of 2012 for burning that winter and this winter. The oak that was split in 2011 will be saved until 2014-2015.

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I stack my firewood in an open carport (roof only). I leave about 1 foot of space between rows. Carport is in sun most of the day. It is off the ground,stacked on boards with bricks under the boards.