Hi from Western Wisconsin

[Sconnie Burner]

Been a lurker for the summer. I started renting a house from a friend in February. He has a quad 3100 step-top that heats the house greatly. I am very anxiously awaiting the cold temps to reap the rewards of my hard work this early spring. I've been reading tips and scrounging wood since early spring (mostly dead standing elm) and have roughly 6 months worth cut, split, and stacked since early June! Not really a noob to the wood gathering scene as I have helped both sets of grandparents do it since I was about 5. Was allowed to run the splitter at age 7 and have been running and maintaining a chainsaw since I was about 14. I am new to the actual burning though. And been educated from this site on how long wood actually takes to dry. I look forward to learning everything I can by reading tips on the forum!

 

[KindredSpiritzz]

I am very anxiously awaiting the cold temps to reap the rewards of my hard work this early spring.

easy there big fella, im not ready for summer to end, specially after last winter.

 

[Nick Mystic]

It sounds like you might end up burning a lot of marginal wood if you've only had it seasoning since June of this year. Keep a close eye on the build up of creosote inside the screen of the rain cap to let you know when you need to get up on the roof for an inspection and possible sweep. As soon as you start to notice some smoke coming out of the stove when you reload you should check the cap first to see if it's getting clogged up. Good Luck.

 

[Sconnie Burner]

I think/hope I should be good. It was dead standing elm with most if not all bark missing on the trunks. It has well pronounced cracks in it already and I have it top covered. I will definitely keep an eye out for creosote though. I did check it with the multi-meter method I found on this site, and it reads out to be where it should be. I did find the dead standing oak to be not ready though (not included in the count anyways) Come burn time I will check it all again, I assume once the humidity in the air drops so will some more of the moisture content of the wood? There is still 2 months or so before I expect to be burning. I will add that I already have almost another winters worth c/s/s. And plan on doing more once the temps drop a little here.

 

[WiscWoody]

Hi and welcome to the site! I'm from the south metro area of the Twin Cities so I'm familiar with River Falls but I moved up to the northland a few years ago in Winter, WI. Land of many Musky filled lakes, Black Bear and lots of free hardwood for the asking. I'm looking forward to the change of seasons too but it can wait a bit yet and it will. I have too many things going on yet before it's time to snow! Lol. I didn't even get to cleaning the stove and piping until a few days ago... If your cutting dead standing wood you could be ok for the coming winter. Time will tell.

 

[Jerhurt]

I can't wait till winter It's my favorite season

 

[Woody Stover]

I think/hope I should be good. It was dead standing elm with most if not all bark missing on the trunks. It has well pronounced cracks in it already and I have it top covered. I will definitely keep an eye out for creosote though. I did check it with the multi-meter method I found on this site, and it reads out to be where it should be. I did find the dead standing oak to be not ready though (not included in the count anyways) Come burn time I will check it all again,

Welcome, Sconnie. I find Red Elm here with the bark falling off, and it's dry or fairly dry. The Oak....usually not ready unless it's a small tree. Some upper branches on a larger Oak can be OK, but I usually end up stacking the bulk of it. You can check again later but I wouldn't expect too much drying to happen between now and then.

 

[ihookem]

I still didn't get near enough fishing in this summer so reading about dudes that can't wait to raid their wood stash in August seems wrong in a sick way.

 

[blades]

HI ,welcome, tough year to dry wood. So humid the last few days its raining inside. Might want to top cover stashes with sections of pallets on top of stacks then the top cover ( promotes air flow) now. For me I am going to have to set up some sort of quick and dirty kiln system, got good air flow but not much sun and my stash for this year is super soaked from our lovely weather and I have a feeling weather wise its going to flip quick, but don't hold me to that ( I don't get paid like the weather guy's unfortunately) Main part of this years fuel is buried behind what needs to be split yet( for 2017) so been bustin my tail on that so as to be able to get at it.

 

[lindnova]

Elm with the bark off is the best wood as far as fast dry. The upper parts are usually nearly ready to burn, but the lower trunk still has moisture. You will likely be A-ok. As others have said, watch the cap and check to make sure you aren't getting creosote.