This is for new people.

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.

corey21

Minister of Fire
Oct 28, 2010
2,249
Soutwest VA
Decided to burn some of last winters left over red oak not ready to burn yet.

It was cut in march 2011 so make sure you season your red oak for at least 3 years.

Right now 400 stove top 2 med splits criss cross normally i run at at 500 to 600 with the same amount of birch or black gum.
 
I should also mention i had to leave the air half open the whole burn to maintain fire and flue temp.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Backwoods Savage
Why in the world did i choose this wood for a bed time load been 2 hour babysitting the stove so it wont gunk up the pipes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: zap and mfglickman
Why in the world did i choose this wood for a bed time load been 2 hour babysitting the stove so it wont gunk up the pipes.

any gunk built up in one night is easily burned off by a nice hot morning fire, provided there isn't a reservior of fuel already stuck to the flue. this has worked for me for 38 years of woodburning. i clean my own chimneys (3 flues total) and i never have any buildup. i feel like the maytag repairman.
 
  • Like
Reactions: corey21
Getting close to when i clean the pipes out each year.
 
Decided to burn some of last winters left over red oak not ready to burn yet.

It was cut in march 2011 so make sure you season your red oak for at least 3 years.

Right now 400 stove top 2 med splits criss cross normally i run at at 500 to 600 with the same amount of birch or black gum.

As much as I love oak it is a PITA to burn if you cant dry it long enough ! We do not have a lot of room to dry on our property so unless it is free I don't get oak anymore. When I do it goes on the back of the stacks where I forget it exists until it falls 2 or 3 years later and I have to re-stack it again ;lol.

Pete
 
  • Like
Reactions: Backwoods Savage
As much as I love oak it is a PITA to burn if you cant dry it long enough ! We do not have a lot of room to dry on our property so unless it is free I don't get oak anymore. When I do it goes on the back of the stacks where I forget it exists until it falls 2 or 3 years later and I have to re-stack it again ;lol.

Pete

I have enough birch and black gum also in a few months i have a stack of poplar split last month

But i think the oak needs to be moved off my car port and get some sun.
 
Check local listings, but burning a test fire of questionably seasoned wood is usually best done outdoors in a fire pit. You can get a pretty good feel for things by how well it burns, the amount of smoke it puts out, and the amount of water coming out of the ends. I did this with some oak I considered burning this year. It ain't ready yet. Maybe next year.
 
Heck seems any of the softer woods that I have used this year will run hotter but not for very long. If the damper is wide open and left to burn I think it could over fire.
 
I have enough birch and black gum also in a few months i have a stack of poplar split last month

But i think the oak needs to be moved off my car port and get some sun.

Need wind more than sun. Both are nice though.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.