So I grabbed one of these the other day for $22 at Lowes. If anyone wants it that cheap then go to lowes and have them price match Home Depot. HD doesn't carry them in store around here but Lowes does and they will honor the price.
Now I'm not sure how accurate this thing is. I seem to be trying to burn really wet wood despite the meter telling me it isn't. I know to split the wood and check the inside and not to check when the wood is cold. But I did this and I was still getting low heat, hissing and wet wood ends when burning. I did do the soap and blow method and even got some bubbles coming out but it seemed they were more toward the outside of the split then the insides. Meaning the inside is not dry enough. Below is example of some numbers I was seeing. This was tested outside and temp was about 50 degrees (maybe too cold?)
Ends 11-15%
Middle 15-17%
Fresh split middle 18-22%
This was white ash that fell in May, cut in May, split in September. The Ash might have been already dying when it stood because of the Emerald Ash Borer Beetle was feasting on it. I realize 22% is over the recommended 20% but it's pretty close and a lot of sites say up to 25% is seasoned. I had the wood stacked in a single row with top cover only and off the ground. I have since removed the cover all together hoping the sun would speed this along. We had a drizzle one day but no downpours. I will cover it again before the soaking rain we are suppose to get this weekend.
So for anyone that has the MMD4E at what moisture content are you getting really good burning with your wood? If it matters this is in an open fireplace. I am not an owner of an insert . . . yet.
Now I'm not sure how accurate this thing is. I seem to be trying to burn really wet wood despite the meter telling me it isn't. I know to split the wood and check the inside and not to check when the wood is cold. But I did this and I was still getting low heat, hissing and wet wood ends when burning. I did do the soap and blow method and even got some bubbles coming out but it seemed they were more toward the outside of the split then the insides. Meaning the inside is not dry enough. Below is example of some numbers I was seeing. This was tested outside and temp was about 50 degrees (maybe too cold?)
Ends 11-15%
Middle 15-17%
Fresh split middle 18-22%
This was white ash that fell in May, cut in May, split in September. The Ash might have been already dying when it stood because of the Emerald Ash Borer Beetle was feasting on it. I realize 22% is over the recommended 20% but it's pretty close and a lot of sites say up to 25% is seasoned. I had the wood stacked in a single row with top cover only and off the ground. I have since removed the cover all together hoping the sun would speed this along. We had a drizzle one day but no downpours. I will cover it again before the soaking rain we are suppose to get this weekend.
So for anyone that has the MMD4E at what moisture content are you getting really good burning with your wood? If it matters this is in an open fireplace. I am not an owner of an insert . . . yet.
