Best big box store wood to buy?

[arkyheat1]

Got to the wood market late this year. I'm having a cord of oak delivered this weekend that was cut down 14 months ago and being split for me this week, but I think it's still going to be pretty wet and I will have to wait to use it next year.

SOOO, that's not going to help much THIS year. In the meantime, what's my best alternative? In Arkansas, the retail places that sell way over-priced wood in sacks are Walmart, HD, Lowes, and Kroger (grocery).

Any experiences on which stuff is the least crappy brand to tide me over this season?

I also have lots of access to pallets...what are y'alls thoughts on burning pallet pieces in a freestanding stove?

 

[chazcarr]

A lot of the wood they sell I have noticed is still too wet to burn good. Plus it is sold at such a high price that other forms of heat are usually cheaper.

Not sure what is around Arkansas but I assume there is a TSC around? If so try picking up some of these or these.

They will be a better bargain and burn better than store bought wood.

Also most pallets are OK to burn as long as you know they are not chemically treated. Lots of posts about it here. Branding such as HT usually means heat treated and they are fine to burn.
Just remember that pallets burn quick and hot so don't overload or you'll have a runaway fire quickly.

 

[Sprinter]

Pallets would be good, but other than that, look for an all-wood, no wax compressed wood product. North Idaho Energy Logs is a good example of something that can be burned by itself (carefully), or along with split wood that is not quite ready for prime time. Not sure if NIEL's are available in Arkansas or not, but maybe.

 

[prezes13]

Agree with both posts. My favorite so far are Ecko Bricks. Pallets are usually free but a bit of PITA to deal with.

 

[sportbikerider78]

Find some dead standing trees to fall.

 

[arkyheat1]

Thanks, guys. Very helpful. We have TSC around here, so I'm going to go check out some of those Eco bricks. Cold front moves through at about 2pm...hope I can beat everyone there!

 

[blades]

Heat treated pallets are not necessarily dry either - heat treatment is to kill bugs not for drying

 

[Wood Duck]

Aren't there any firewood dealers in your area? Buying by the armful at the hardware store is going to be far more expensive than buying by the cord from a local firewood dealer. You probably can't buy seasoned wood, but maybe you can find some that is slightly seasoned and will burn OK. If you can visit the dealer in person, maybe you'll find some stacks in his lot that are older and drier than average and you can arrange to buy those.

 

[Sprinter]

You probably can't buy seasoned wood, but maybe you can find some that is slightly seasoned and will burn OK.

"Slightly seasoned" could work if you mix it with some Biobricks or similar. But I'd try to stay under 25% moisture content without a dry supplement. Pallet wood (if it's truly dry and not contaminated) can also be a supplement to wood that is up to maybe 30% if you're careful. There are ways to burn wood that is not ideal, but it takes care and some ultra dry material. Problem is that it's kind of unlikely that you'll find any wood that's even 30%, but it's worth a shot. You'll need a meter and an ax to know for sure, though.

 

[firefighterjake]

I would think buying the wood in small bundles would be wicked expensive ... better idea is to see if there are any other folks selling seasoned or semiseasoned wood and using pallet wood to help ... other option is to go with compressed wood products.

 

[WiscWoody]

I just can't imagine a Walmart store selling firewood for a wood stove or a fireplace except the small bundles that the local stores sell for $5.

 

[spirilis]

If you must buy from stores, go for the compressed sawdust products. Don't bother with the bundles.