As I've been going through my first winter as a wood burner, I started out burning almost exclusively the two tons of Envi-Blocks that I had bought over the summer.
I recently acquired about a 1/2 cord of hardwood, which I would estimate to be semi-seasoned. Definitely not green (most of it does have that hollow 'pop' sound when hit against each other or dropped onto a concrete floor, rather than the dull 'thud' associated with green wood), but it does have a moderate amount of sizzle when burned.
I am certainly aware of the negatives associated with burning unseasoned wood. However, I was wondering if I were to burn some of this semi-seasoned wood at the same time as two or three 6.5-pound Envi-blocks, the overall moisture content of the load would be driven down, and wouldn't cause any big problems with creosote and whatnot. The Envi-blocks are said to have somewhere between 5% and 8% moisture by weight, so would that offset the somewhat excessive moisture from the regular hardwood?
Essentially, my Envi-block supply will run out around maybe the first week of March. If, however, I can supplement the supply with some of this cordwood, I think I can stretch it out to maybe the 3rd or 4th week of March, which is pretty much the end of heating season in these parts, at which point I can begin planning for next year!
Thanks for any ideas/analysis you folks might provide!
I recently acquired about a 1/2 cord of hardwood, which I would estimate to be semi-seasoned. Definitely not green (most of it does have that hollow 'pop' sound when hit against each other or dropped onto a concrete floor, rather than the dull 'thud' associated with green wood), but it does have a moderate amount of sizzle when burned.
I am certainly aware of the negatives associated with burning unseasoned wood. However, I was wondering if I were to burn some of this semi-seasoned wood at the same time as two or three 6.5-pound Envi-blocks, the overall moisture content of the load would be driven down, and wouldn't cause any big problems with creosote and whatnot. The Envi-blocks are said to have somewhere between 5% and 8% moisture by weight, so would that offset the somewhat excessive moisture from the regular hardwood?
Essentially, my Envi-block supply will run out around maybe the first week of March. If, however, I can supplement the supply with some of this cordwood, I think I can stretch it out to maybe the 3rd or 4th week of March, which is pretty much the end of heating season in these parts, at which point I can begin planning for next year!
Thanks for any ideas/analysis you folks might provide!
