After reading many, many posts here on moisture meters, I had to get one. I'm going to have my first EPA stove insert installed in the next few weeks and was anxious as to knowing that my "ready to go" firewood was indeed ready to go.
I bought the General model from Lowes, and I'm glad I did. It is a great teaching tool for newbs like me. I've burned wood harvested off my own property for years in my open fireplace. Some of it seemed to burn well, some not.
I tested some wood I've had drying for several years. Split it, tested along the grain and all ranged from 14-17%. It was a relief to know that I have a good supply of ready to go wood.
Then I tested some just-split wood from rounds I'd had sitting for about a year. It tested close to 30%
THEN I tested some rounds that I cut that day. It tested at 50+% So it sounds like the $30 meter is more than accurate for firewood purposes.
I know that the burning vets here think of moisture meters as a waste of money, and I can see their point of view. With enough experience, you wouldn't need one.
But for someone unsure of his firewood's condition, they can give you piece of mind and help avoid frustration until you become a firewood pro.
My 2 cents!
Greg
I bought the General model from Lowes, and I'm glad I did. It is a great teaching tool for newbs like me. I've burned wood harvested off my own property for years in my open fireplace. Some of it seemed to burn well, some not.
I tested some wood I've had drying for several years. Split it, tested along the grain and all ranged from 14-17%. It was a relief to know that I have a good supply of ready to go wood.
Then I tested some just-split wood from rounds I'd had sitting for about a year. It tested close to 30%
THEN I tested some rounds that I cut that day. It tested at 50+% So it sounds like the $30 meter is more than accurate for firewood purposes.
I know that the burning vets here think of moisture meters as a waste of money, and I can see their point of view. With enough experience, you wouldn't need one.
But for someone unsure of his firewood's condition, they can give you piece of mind and help avoid frustration until you become a firewood pro.
My 2 cents!
Greg