Moisture content for OUTDOOR firewood

[Amin1992]

Hey guys. so this was our first winter with a wood stove! Learned a ton here and through experience and can't wait for next year.

Though we burned a ton more wood over the winter, we reserve a third of a cord for outdoor campfires in our fire ring and campsite.

I know that firewood for the stove should be less than 20% moisture content. However, any clue on what can burn in an outdoor campfire? Obviously not looking for efficiency.

We have a ton of oak and maple that isn't seasoned for this year, probably at 28% give or take. Wondering if we can burn some of that outside or if we'd need the help of kerosene to get it going.

Thanks guys

 

[GENECOP]

Very small splits with dry kindling might get it going...

 

[Stinkpickle]

I like mine every bit as dry, so it doesn’t smoke us out. But it should burn with a decent breeze, though.

 

[kennyp2339]

I burn a lot of "slash" or branches that are not big enough for firewood, generally stuff thats 4" and under, I suspect that most of those branches are 35% and under, I just make a hot fire with known dead stuff then add the wetter stuff as I go, not really a lot of smoke either, sometimes lots of hissing and noticeable moisture coming out the ends.

 

[firefighterjake]

My not-so-super-secret to getting a slash or bonfire going is cardboard . . . enough cardboard and you can pretty much burn any wood regardless of how fresh cut it may be.

 

[Amin1992]

awesome tips, thank you all!