Optional moisture content?

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U.P.Boiler

Member
Nov 15, 2015
29
Michigan , UP, Moran
Running a standard wood boiler ( non- high efficiency) whats the optional moisture content for burning wood with out mixing other drier pieces, compressed bricks or coal in with it ? Ive burnt seasoned 2+ year split and seasoned and have also burnt 1st wood cut and split within 6 months Which is giving the the best BTU for the burn ?

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I'm not an expert here. But I would bet it's still the dryer the better. So 15-20%. My reasoning is that moisture uses up your btu turning the water into steam instead of just heat. The steam also has a cooling effect on your chimney and furnace. Wasting heat and causing creosote.


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I also have a standard, non gasser boiler. 20% or less will always give you the most btu's. When it gets colder out I will pitch a larger say 12-15" unspilt higher MC stick of wood in and fill it on up with seasoned 20-25% MC wood. I'm pretty sure I'm not getting the most BTUs possible this way but I do get much longer burn times mixing high MC wood in, in this fashion. Just figure out what gives you the best burn times and go with it. The beauty of these old boilers is that you don't have to worry about "getting ahead" for years. Just keep it fed.


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