I ordered it from harbor freight, a cheap one, but it certainly works. The wood I have for this year was with no question seasoned, but wanted to make sure. I split a couple of pieces and got in the 10 % - 15% range so I'm happy with that. Now when I'm bucking tomorrow, I'll test 4to5 pieces of the dead stuff. Cool little contraption.
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Battery eating little dudes though, I think I am going to take the batteries out of it next time, the last set went dead and I only used it a couple of times.
I like my meter too. It seems 20% and under is suppose to be good to burn but most of the stuff I have bunted so far is 19-20ish and it doesn't seem to burn all that well to me. I am going through my pile splitting already split wood trying to find some drier stuff and have some down around 15-% that I am going to try. Wish mine was as low as 10%. Maybe next year.
thewoodlands
Minister of Fire
That is not right I hope you know, either your MM is not reading correctly or you have another problem, wood that is 20% is good to go any day of the week in any stove that is working correctly. Forgot to ask is that on a fresh split?bspooky said:
i really have no idea. Lots of oak in the woods, so maybe. I don't even know if anyone here can identify. I could post a pix tomorrow, and maybe someone here can have a go at it.zapny said:
oldspark said:
Fresh split. I won't have a fire tonight, but tomorrow I have some 17ish percent wood to start off with and then I am throwing the 20 per centers on. I just got a new stove too so it could be user error. :-(
I am actually going through and splitting my already split wood for two reasons, a) separating wood into three piles (17% and under, 17.1%-20% stay in the garage in two piles, and the above (most I am taking out is 22-25% range) 20% is heading back outside. This is probably the 4th time I have moved this wood around. LOL Also, b) I am splitting split wood because my insert is a whole lot smaller than the fireplace box was!
I burnt some 25% oak for a test a while back and it burnt like a dream with no sizzlers so yes I think you are in a learning curve or your chimney dont "suck" enough.bspooky said:
steeltowninwv
Minister of Fire
weatherguy
Minister of Fire
20% should go up like its soaked in gasoline, start a thread with your set up and some of these experts will help you figure out whats going on.
Woody Stover
Minister of Fire
My General from Lowe's had a tendency to turn back on when I had it in my pocket. I put a rubber band around it to keep the power button from being pressed every time I bent over to pick up a split.oldspark said:
My experience has been that I get a few hissers or some visible moisture on the ends at around 20%. The wood doesn't burst into flames instantly when placed on hot coals but the moisture is expelled quickly and the wood burns fine.weatherguy said:
Beer Belly
Minister of Fire
I also got a Moisture Meter from Harbor Frieght....something around $13....it does have a margain of error....I believe about +/- 4%
My batteries went dead and it was setting in my tool box, the funny thing about it was they were better batteries I had bought in a store here not the ones that came with it, pretty sure I only used it twice.Woody Stover said:
IMHO 20% wood should start right up and mine always has, I dont get sizzlers at 25 % wood, maybe you had some surface moisture, no way should 20 % wood do that, a true sizzler (green wood) would have moisture come out the end at about 28 % or so.
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