Buy or burn less dry? What would you do?

[BillLion]

I've learned so much here in such a short time. So thank you for all the collective insight!

So, here's my situation:

I started gathering, splitting and stacking my own firewood for the first time starting January this year (this upcoming season will be my 3rd burning season with a fireplace insert).

I have maybe 2&1/2-3 cords CSS wood (a combo of Norway maple, black locust, elm, apple, pin oak & sugar maple), but some definitely won't be ready to burn this season and some is on the fringe. That leads to my question.

Would you buy all/most of your wood this year to have really dry wood for next season (as many here prefer) and get ahead of the curve. OR would you burn wood say that registers up to 25% moisture content knowing the burns won't be as efficient as could be, but are at least still free?

I welcome your perspective...

 

[DaveGunter]

I've learned so much here in such a short time. So thank you for all the collective insight!

So, here's my situation:

I started gathering, splitting and stacking my own firewood for the first time starting January this year (this upcoming season will be my 3rd burning season with a fireplace insert).

I have maybe 2&1/2-3 cords CSS wood (a combo of Norway maple, black locust, elm, apple, pin oak & sugar maple), but some definitely won't be ready to burn this season and some is on the fringe. That leads to my question.

Would you buy all/most of your wood this year to have really dry wood for next season (as many here prefer) and get ahead of the curve. OR would you burn wood say that registers up to 25% moisture content knowing the burns won't be as efficient as could be, but are at least still free?

I welcome your perspective...

Do whatever it takes to get ahead of the curve, once you're there it is so much easier to stay ahead.

 

[Gary_602z]

Buy only if you can verify what you are buying is drier than what you have. Chances are it won't be.

Gary
Or if it is wetter and a super price buy it and get it drying to get ahead for future years.

 

[Augie]

Burn what you have, rig a simple solar kiln and make sure you have dry wood for next year, I know it is heretical but I used a simple solar kiln to get oak ready(read below 20 percent) in one spring/summer. I will use the solar kiln and be able to get one full year ahead, and Ill never need to be more ahead

 

[CMAG]

I picked up a ton of Envi blocks for this season to keep me ahead, "Seasoned wood for sale"...... "The tree was seasoned before we cut it down"

 

[JP11]

Go the envblock route. you KNOW that's dry.

unless you find someone selling wood that's for sure dry. like kiln dried where you can see the process.

JP

 

[Realstone]

Check your CL ads for free pallets. They are dry and partly processed. Stack nice too! Just gotta watch for the nails.

 

[Realstone]

Found these on your Hartford CL:
(broken link removed to http://hartford.craigslist.org/zip/4057930587.html)
(broken link removed to http://hartford.craigslist.org/zip/4043030802.html)

And this little beauty:
(broken link removed to http://hartford.craigslist.org/zip/4060113772.html)

 

[BillLion]

Thanks, for the input guys. The reason I posed this to everyone is I consistently read about an ideal scenario of being 2-3 years ahead of schedule, and I'm wondering if most people would actually buy wood short-term if necessary in order to achieve that.

I pay $250 here for mixed hardwoods (oak, maple, black locust etc.) so it isn't as cheap as some places nor is it as expensive as others. Still much cheaper than oil or gas, but not as cheap as burning the FREE stuff I've gathered!

 

[BillLion]

Thanks, for the input guys. The reason I posed this to everyone is I consistently read about an ideal scenario of being 2-3 years ahead of schedule, and I'm wondering if most people would actually buy wood short-term if necessary in order to achieve that.

I pay $250 here for a cord of mixed, seasoned hardwoods (oak, maple, black locust etc.) delivered, so it isn't as cheap as some places nor is it as expensive as others. Still much cheaper than oil or gas, but not as cheap as burning the FREE stuff I've gathered!

 

[JP11]

It's a quandry. You need to scrounge TRIPLE what you need for a year.. in order to get ahead.

Herculean efforts, or a purchase are a way to get ahead.

I just don't think buying wood for THIS year's burn is a good idea. You are way more likely to not get dry wood.

JP

 

[MrWhoopee]

Just remember, if you burn the wood you currently have, which is not really ready yet, you will be in the same situation next year. This is the first year that I have actually gotten ahead. It has taken a lot of effort, but I now have 3+ years of wood and I'm still cutting. From here on, I will only have to cut 3-5 cords per year, though I don't know if I will be able to limit myself now that I've got the habit. If you can buy dry wood, do.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Thanks, for the input guys. The reason I posed this to everyone is I consistently read about an ideal scenario of being 2-3 years ahead of schedule, and I'm wondering if most people would actually buy wood short-term if necessary in order to achieve that.

I pay $250 here for mixed hardwoods (oak, maple, black locust etc.) so it isn't as cheap as some places nor is it as expensive as others. Still much cheaper than oil or gas, but not as cheap as burning the FREE stuff I've gathered!

Bill, it does take a lot of work and time to get 3 years ahead. Most can not do that in one year, so you just keep on cutting a little more than you need each year until you get there. If it takes you 5 years, that is okay and for sure you'll then find it much easier year after year. Besides, then if something bad happens and you can't cut for a year, you still have your backside covered.

As for buying wood, that could get you to the 3 years ahead sooner. Just don't plan on buying wood that you can burn in the same year you buy it. Oh you can do it with some types of wood but it is a long ways from ideal and can make wood burning a bit more of a chore than many want it to be. In addition, you'd best keep a really close eye on the chimney and clean as needed. Even if that means you have to clean 3-4 times per winter. We've done that in the past. It is not fun for sure and we also had problems keeping the house warm enough....but we got through that winter. Surely would hate to have to do it again though...

btw, that mixed hardwood you are stating on buying, 2 years minimum drying time for those.

 

[Laurent Cyr]

I picked up a ton of Envi blocks for this season to keep me ahead, "Seasoned wood for sale"...... "The tree was seasoned before we cut it down"

CMAG, how much did a ton cost you?

Laurent

 

[Wood Duck]

I'd burn what I have and keep an eye on the chimney to be sure I don't get a buildup. I'd also gather wood like crazy to get ahead.

 

[CMAG]

CMAG, how much did a ton cost you?

Laurent

310

 

[BillLion]

Bill, it does take a lot of work and time to get 3 years ahead. Most can not do that in one year, so you just keep on cutting a little more than you need each year until you get there. If it takes you 5 years, that is okay and for sure you'll then find it much easier year after year. Besides, then if something bad happens and you can't cut for a year, you still have your backside covered.

As for buying wood, that could get you to the 3 years ahead sooner. Just don't plan on buying wood that you can burn in the same year you buy it. Oh you can do it with some types of wood but it is a long ways from ideal and can make wood burning a bit more of a chore than many want it to be. In addition, you'd best keep a really close eye on the chimney and clean as needed. Even if that means you have to clean 3-4 times per winter. We've done that in the past. It is not fun for sure and we also had problems keeping the house warm enough....but we got through that winter. Surely would hate to have to do it again though...

btw, that mixed hardwood you are stating on buying, 2 years minimum drying time for those.

Thanks for the feedback and encouragement.

I may very well run out of space before I can get to 12-15 cords on hand, but we'll see.

I definitely have my chimney professionally cleaned each season. And this year (just last week) I had a full-length stainless steel liner installed. The previous homeowner installed the insert and they had a liner less than 1/2 length which didn't even meet local code. I think by pushing all the smoke through a more narrow surface more quickly it should help guard against creosote buildup.

As for the wood, I've bought wood from this guys for 2 years now, and it's solid. I still have half a cord left from last season and it's currently registering 12-17% MC on the pieces I've tested (after splitting them), so I think I'm OK. Just looking forward to getting self-sufficient!

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

I say keep gathering and splitting till you see the light at the end of the tunnel, you can do it, i did and its been less than a year, keep looking and talking about it, you will find it.....if not, buy it in the winter for 2014/2015

 

[Cold Is Dumb]

You burn what you have. If that's something you buy, well then ok, but it's rare to buy something that's ready to burn. 25% MC is not ideal, but it's not the end of the world either. Maybe you clean the chimney more often this year, sometimes that's the way it goes. If you can use pallets to start with, then mix your wood in after it's rolling, you'll make do.

But yeah, that's not a long-term solution. Can you cut more for next (and subsequent) seasons? Or will you be in this situation each burning season? I made 25% and higher work for me prior to finding this site, you'll enjoy burning much more when you can get wood below that.

 

[BillLion]

You burn what you have. If that's something you buy, well then ok, but it's rare to buy something that's ready to burn. 25% MC is not ideal, but it's not the end of the world either. Maybe you clean the chimney more often this year, sometimes that's the way it goes. If you can use pallets to start with, then mix your wood in after it's rolling, you'll make do.

But yeah, that's not a long-term solution. Can you cut more for next (and subsequent) seasons? Or will you be in this situation each burning season? I made 25% and higher work for me prior to finding this site, you'll enjoy burning much more when you can get wood below that.

Yeah, the goal is to get ahead for sure. I have pretty to good access to free wood. It's finding the time to process it and the space to store it. I may have to end up settling for 2 years ahead, but that's still better than where I am now. But we'll see...

 

[weatherguy]

To get ahead Id buy some but was always perusing CL for free wood and got the word out, eventually I managed to get 3 years ahead. Now I just replace what I burned, if its a slow scrounging year I but unseasoned wood for $135-150 cord to fill up my racks. Do whatever you have to do.

 

[firefighterjake]

Me personally . . . I would burn what I have . . . but get some free pallets . . .. they will help with starting the fire and keeping things going . . . also keep a close eye on the chimney and realize that burning wood may not be quite so easy this year as it will in future years.

In the meantime I hate to say this . . . but if you're burning wood and scrounging or processing your own wood there is a certain level of time commitment one has to put into the work to get ahead. I've always said that for me personally burning wood is cheaper than burning oil, but the trade off is I have to commit many, many hours to processing the fuel . . . something that the big oil companies have already done for me. The other option if time is more valuable than money at this point is to buy some wood and have it delivered . . . unseasoned if you have the time and space. The good news is that once you are ahead of the game processing wood to replace the wood you used up in the previous heating season is much easier.

 

[SolarAndWood]

As for the wood, I've bought wood from this guys for 2 years now, and it's solid. I still have half a cord left from last season and it's currently registering 12-17% MC on the pieces I've tested (after splitting them), so I think I'm OK. Just looking forward to getting self-sufficient!

If you have a guy that delivers dry wood and the out of pocket cost is an option, I'd buy it for this year and whatever you need to have enough for next year too. Then, any work you do this fall will be dry by the time the 2015-16 season rolls around. While getting 3 years ahead is great, getting at least a year ahead is huge.

Wood storage is tough especially if you are in the burbs. I burn 6-8 cord a year and hear about my 3 year supply from everyone. Maybe you can find a place to keep your stockpile and only bring home enough for the season every September? I filled a large area to make my site work. Good luck.

 

[BillLion]

Me personally . . . I would burn what I have . . . but get some free pallets . . .. they will help with starting the fire and keeping things going . . . also keep a close eye on the chimney and realize that burning wood may not be quite so easy this year as it will in future years.

In the meantime I hate to say this . . . but if you're burning wood and scrounging or processing your own wood there is a certain level of time commitment one has to put into the work to get ahead. I've always said that for me personally burning wood is cheaper than burning oil, but the trade off is I have to commit many, many hours to processing the fuel . . . something that the big oil companies have already done for me. The other option if time is more valuable than money at this point is to buy some wood and have it delivered . . . unseasoned if you have the time and space. The good news is that once you are ahead of the game processing wood to replace the wood you used up in the previous heating season is much easier.

Yeah, I agree. And I actually enjoy doing the work. It's just with work and stage of life (3 young kids) the time is sometimes challenging. It may end up being I need to to maintain a combo of buying some wood and processing some wood each year for now.

 

[BillLion]

If you have a guy that delivers dry wood and the out of pocket cost is an option, I'd buy it for this year and whatever you need to have enough for next year too. Then, any work you do this fall will be dry by the time the 2015-16 season rolls around. While getting 3 years ahead is great, getting at least a year ahead is huge.

Wood storage is tough especially if you are in the burbs. I burn 6-8 cord a year and hear about my 3 year supply from everyone. Maybe you can find a place to keep your stockpile and only bring home enough for the season every September? I filled a large area to make my site work. Good luck.

Yeah, I'm in the burbs, and VERY few people around me keep to much firewood in their yards in my neighborhood (the lots are tight together and not huge). Offsite isn't a bad idea to consider. Thanks!