Morning Wood

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johnpma

Feeling the Heat
Jan 29, 2014
365
W. Mass
I usually load the stove up before bed after the 11pm news. That gives me about 5 hours of burn time, and I wake at 5AM to a glowing bed of coals. I purchased a case of those "eco-bricks" for $6.00 (12 bricks) gotta say it's nice to just toss two of those on the coals and go make a coffee while it gets rip roaring again. From there I start all over with my wood before leaving for work. I have to mix my very dry wood with my "somewhat" dry wood splits as I get down into my supply.

Anyone heating exclusively with the eco-bricks/logs and not using fire wood? I know there are dangers to over loading but using them is like instant heat. Just wondering if I should look for a cord of dry wood online or finish out the year with these bricks.
 
I usually load the stove up before bed after the 11pm news. That gives me about 5 hours of burn time, and I wake at 5AM to a glowing bed of coals. I purchased a case of those "eco-bricks" for $6.00 (12 bricks) gotta say it's nice to just toss two of those on the coals and go make a coffee while it gets rip roaring again. From there I start all over with my wood before leaving for work. I have to mix my very dry wood with my "somewhat" dry wood splits as I get down into my supply.

Anyone heating exclusively with the eco-bricks/logs and not using fire wood? I know there are dangers to over loading but using them is like instant heat. Just wondering if I should look for a cord of dry wood online or finish out the year with these bricks.

It will probably be very difficult to find a cord of dry wood at this point in the season. It can't hurt to try, just be sure you ask the seller the right questions before allowing them to show up at your property. When was the wood cut and split? Did it lay around in a pile or was it neatly stacked uncovered or top covered? Do you have a moisture meter to check moisture content of a fresh split? If not, do you mind if I take a couple readings before you unload? What will you be delivering the wood in? For the last question the bed of a pick up truck is not a good answer even if it is 8 ft unless they have the sides built up and it is a heavy duty p/u. Even then I would be skeptical unless the price was really good. Good luck and let us know your findings.
 
thanks for the awesome input. I got a bead on a guy who does tree work who has seasoned wood but its out deep in the woods tarped under a lot of snow. The last cord he sold me burned awesome. With this deep freeze it may be a bit before he gets to me
 
The availability of one or the other might determine your answer. Somewhere someone told me that pellets become hard to find as the season winds down.
I just saw the ecobricks at tractor supply out front by the door. They are making room for greenhouse supplies now. I dont know if they go on sale when people demand them most.
You probably wont get your moneys worth out of seasoned wood. At this time being shorted is very common. Dealers get top dollar now.
 
The availability of one or the other might determine your answer. Somewhere someone told me that pellets become hard to find as the season winds down.
I just saw the ecobricks at tractor supply out front by the door. They are making room for greenhouse supplies now. I dont know if they go on sale when people demand them most.
You probably wont get your moneys worth out of seasoned wood. At this time being shorted is very common. Dealers get top dollar now.
Just another reason to get on the 3 year plan...
 
I am unsure if my wood supply is going to get me through this season; will be tight.

So I purchased a couple packs of Hot Bricks (another brand since the local supplier was out of Eco Bricks).

I like it as an option for mixing in with some not quite seasoned stuff to stretch out my supply, but I wouldn't want to use them exclusively.

I don't know, I guess I just really like the real stuff. Certainly some advantages to the sawdust bricks, but cost is a factor when I can scrounge the real deal for free! Also, not as pretty.

But heat was decent, no doubt.
 
I usually load the stove up before bed after the 11pm news. That gives me about 5 hours of burn time, and I wake at 5AM to a glowing bed of coals. I purchased a case of those "eco-bricks" for $6.00 (12 bricks) gotta say it's nice to just toss two of those on the coals and go make a coffee while it gets rip roaring again. From there I start all over with my wood before leaving for work. I have to mix my very dry wood with my "somewhat" dry wood splits as I get down into my supply.

Anyone heating exclusively with the eco-bricks/logs and not using fire wood? I know there are dangers to over loading but using them is like instant heat. Just wondering if I should look for a cord of dry wood online or finish out the year with these bricks.

I tried some of the Eco-Bricks and they were just fine. I decided to get some more in case I ran out of wood, called TS first, and they were sold out. I'd get those for insurance and then start on your regular plan.
 
guy I know came through for me and delivered me another 1/2 cord of well seasoned oak. I'm mixing it up with some of the greener wood and seem to be doing well. Side note, I took advantage of the 20 degree warm up :) and ran a brush up the liner a couple times. I got about a sandwich bag worth of creosote with the combo I've been burning since January.
 
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