mass_burner
Minister of Fire
Looking at the longterm forecast, shoulder season should start this weekend. I have 8 bags of pellets saved for that.
I am years ahead (30-40 cords stacked), so no problem getting into next years wood which I did. My wife thinks I am nuts, but had a slow winter at work and don't mind the cold weather so much. I had a major oak scrounge last summer and cut a lot of box elder and elm last fall thru December and a lot of splitting Jan-March - even sold a couple loads for some $$. I have a lot of dead elm and all the box elder I would ever want in our woods. Always some decent dead or fast drying wood to find while waiting for the oak to season.
I think people set aside additional wood that they feel won't be necessary to burn in the current or upI still don't get the this years and next years wood thing. I just have seasoned and unseasoned, I'll burn til the weather warms and then work on refilling the wood racks that are empty. I understand you have to plan ahead and make sure your wood is seasoned for future years but there's plenty of wood that seasons in one year if need be. Unless there's some type of wood shortage where some of you live.
I understand that but if you have seasoned wood why not burn it? Just replace it, there's no way of knowing exactly how much you'll burn any given year. I can fit 13 cords in my stacking area, so probably 3 years worth give or take. I just keep burning until it warms up then refill as soon as possible to give the wood plenty of time to season. If I know I won't have much seasoned wood for the upcoming year because I have too much oak and/or hickory I'll get ash and maple since I know that seasons quick.I think people set aside additional wood that they feel won't be necessary to burn in the current or up
Coming season, when they get caught like this year, being on a three year plan makes it less likely to run into that type of a situation, so you are probably in quite better shape then all dipping into next years wood stash....
haha,,,they are gonna be all over you!I decided the power company could KMA, and I got a small load of wood from my neighbor. 35%MC, but far better than what I had. Burns just fine.
That's a slippery slope, too. Next, it's the furniture.I was thinking the other day, I could probably split my splitting round if it never warms up.
yes, and the wife has 5 pairs of those shoe stretchers made of solid maple, bet those would burn good.That's a slippery slope, too.
Look around, I bet you could find some old wooden salad bowls that are never used...
I understand that but if you have seasoned wood why not burn it? Just replace it, there's no way of knowing exactly how much you'll burn any given year. I can fit 13 cords in my stacking area, so probably 3 years worth give or take. I just keep burning until it warms up then refill as soon as possible to give the wood plenty of time to season. If I know I won't have much seasoned wood for the upcoming year because I have too much oak and/or hickory I'll get ash and maple since I know that seasons quick.
For those out or nearly out of wood - find some free pallets - good for taking the chill out of the house during shoulder season (just take it easy on the amount you put in the stove - burns real hot
Well, I agree with burning the wood that you have, not getting hung up in is it this year's wood or next year's? But after the wood is split and stacked, I try to figure out how much I have. I try to allow 5 cords per winter, which is usually more than I burn (although maybe not this year!). So if I have 20 cords, I say that I'm 4 years ahead. If I say that I'm dipping into next year's wood, all it means is that I'm using more than that 5 cords I set aside for this winter. I'll keep burning until it warms up also, and I'll burn all 20 cords before I pay the propane guy!
Ouch - definitely need to be careful - sounds like they were not! Cheers!The previous owners of my house took your advice! When I went to look into why the ashpan wouldn't close all the way, I found about 4" of compacted nails crammed into the very back!! The firebox and ashpan is probably 30" deep, so it took a long time and some frustration to get all of those suckers out!
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