What are your experiences with ash firewood? Does cutting and stacking it in April or May allow it to season sufficiently for use by the following winter?
Ash firewood drying time?
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Ctwoodtick
Minister of Fire
Probably. Just don’t split too big and you should be good
The point of ash is that it burns even when it's really too wet to burn cleanly.
I'd get a moisture meter and split the biggest few splits in half and measure on the newly exposed inside faces. That'll tell you the worst case you have.
I'd get a moisture meter and split the biggest few splits in half and measure on the newly exposed inside faces. That'll tell you the worst case you have.
Yeah i cut my neighbors live ash, and he was burning the branches as i was bucking the trunk. Amazing really. That said i'm gonna make sure it's under 20% before it goes in my stove.
Circle_B_MN
Member
Wisco Shepherd
Minister of Fire
This. I burned 20-24% ash last year with minimal buildup. Did have the air a bit more open and gave it a few days by the stove.
Yess I heard that too, ash still burns clean even if it’s wet. I’m not saying I will do it. I rather have my wood dry
So i just tested my "Ash" that was c/s/s 7/23.
18% on outside, 24% inside fresh split on a large 5"-6" trianglish with bark still on it.
(It also just feels damp, definitely not baseball bat dry . Thud not crack when hit together.)
Now i'm questioning if it is ash? got to go back and check the bark pattern.
18% on outside, 24% inside fresh split on a large 5"-6" trianglish with bark still on it.
(It also just feels damp, definitely not baseball bat dry . Thud not crack when hit together.)
Now i'm questioning if it is ash? got to go back and check the bark pattern.
Yeah something doesn’t seem quite right after 2 summers and still 24%. Unless it’s sitting out in the rain all the time and can’t shed the moisture fast enough between rain/snow 🤷🏻♂️
Yup it is Ash, just confirmed yesterday, it has the diamond bark. And it gets almost no sun and it's not covered and is actually pretty blocked from wind.. But even so still seems to slow. I don't top cover any of my stacks and they do dry. This small Ash stack is in a new location in the yard as i ran out of room. But that said None of my stacks get much sun. Way to many trees in my small yard.
Wisco Shepherd
Minister of Fire
I think the wind matters more; sheds (better shade than trees...) work fine. At least for me.
Though I don't check moisture content anymore before three years are passed.
Though I don't check moisture content anymore before three years are passed.
Yes i think it's the lack of wind. And the sun i don't think ever touches it.
It's the small dark section so not very much, but i do want to free up that space.
Oh and that's my shorty/uglies drying bed in the foreground. (Ipe deck rail repurposed).
That spot actually does get some sun.
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My buddy in Maine cuts, splits and stacks Ash in he spring/summer and burns it in the Fall. Says it’s fine. He is a stubborn Yankee and won’t listen to me. Personally I would let it season for at least a year but many Mainers burn what they split the same season. He does brush his chimney every two months.
I'd bet 90% plus do this. (Minus the sweeping).
That's why you have to learn how to do things correctly the first time.
Most people don't learn and don't change so that's why it's so important to get the word out on (in our wood burning case) burning Dry Seasoned Wood and what Dry Seasoned Wood Actually is.
Wisco Shepherd
Minister of Fire
I bet it was pine that caused it, because everyone knows pine causes chimney fires.................
No he only burns hardwood from his 80 acre property. He burned oak and Ash too quickly 3 to 5 months. Only after another Mainer told him to let the Oak season did he listen to me. Pine is fine if seasoned to 20% or under.
Wisco Shepherd
Minister of Fire
He probably said. "A good chimney fire cleans out the flue without going on the roof".
Glad the other "Mainer" set him somewhat straight.
We non Mainers or Down Easters surely don't know anything about anything.
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