This is my third year burning and I an now into my 2 cords + of Elm (1st time burning elm). Seems to produce a lot of ash and coal build up. What a pain. Anyone else get this with Elm?
Elm and ash issue
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RobC
Minister of Fire
That is true for elm. Elm can also be hard if not impossible to split. Not a real desirable wood for burning but if it's free, for example, that may make it worth the effort. Elm is also loaded with water so make sure it's dry before burning.
Simular to Pine, some Popular and Willow.
Rob
Simular to Pine, some Popular and Willow.
Rob
I see the opposite in the Tarm. Seems like elms produces less ash than the hard maple or cherry I have burned.
homebrewz
Minister of Fire
I just scored some elm (buddy and me each got a face cord and will go back and get more) that had been dead standing for some time. Unfortunately, most of it is not completely dry. I guess that's why its nearly impossible to split. I've found the really dead and dry ones aren't too bad to split, but still a pain. I haven't noticed more or less ash, but have noticed it coals nicely.
midwestcoast
Minister of Fire
Backwoods Savage
Minister of Fire
Elm has always been welcome in this house.....as long as it has been cut after the tree is dead and the bark has fallen off. It burns better then and also splits much, much easier. We have never noted extra ashes from the elm though.
mesuno
Member
My only experience of burning elm was when we used to make batches of charcoal for the BBQ at home. We had one batch where we threw in a load of mixed branches. The poplar, chestnut and ash were fantastic... the pieces of elm came through still green! The bark hadn't even blackened after 2 hours in the fire. Most of the logs were still green when charred (from garden clearing).
I'm sure seasoned wood would be a different story, but that experience stuck with me.
I'm sure seasoned wood would be a different story, but that experience stuck with me.
I got the elm for free (helped an Uncle take down a big one) and I took most of the tree (which included the small branches). So I think I may have figured it out - I have been burning alot of the very small rounds - so lots of bark. Which could explain the ash. Fortunately most of the small pieces will be gone soon then the big splits come. Hope it works out because I have a couple cords of it and it is in the current rotation for getting burnt now.
midwestcoast
Minister of Fire
It can be sopping wet when green. I've seen water will pour out of a stump for many hours after cutting.Mesuno said:
savageactor7
Minister of Fire
Where I am elm is my best wood...so right away that should tell you we're behind the 8 ball. Seasoned properly it's a good burn and we like it. 90% of the time we burn just a few splits WOT so coals are not a problem. Locust has to be the king of woods when it comes to coaling up imo.
firefighterjake
Minister of Fire
Ah, pity the poor elm . . . it has such a bad reputation. Me . . . I like elm. Sure, it may split pretty tough by hand . . . but when you have a hydraulic splitter . . . and wait for it to be standing dead . . . then splitting isn't such a chore. I've never noticed any real issue with excessive coaling or ash . . . and in fact I tend to like elm . . . a nice middle of the road BTU wood . . . I definitely wouldn't lump it in with pine, willow or poplar (which would be my shoulder season woods.)
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