Newbie needs Fast advice

[dyerkutn]

I am having a new T5 installed the week of the 15th so I have been on a mad hunt for firewood. I am in surburbs of Boston where it is difficult to get really seasoned wood and a decent price. I decided I would get some kiln dried for fall and then get some seasoned to season more. Found a guy about 90 minutes from me who will sell me 2 cords of kiln dried (dried just before delivery) for $400 a cord---claims no more than 10% moisture in the center of the wood. I arranged to have it delivered next Sat. This is significantly cheaper than any other kiln-dried in the area which range from 500-650.

Could there be any tricks here--anything I should watch out for?

 

[katwillny]

Being from NY and never having to pay for wood that sounds very expensive. But it sounds like its the going rate up there. If you have a moisture meter Id reccomend you take it with you. Id also think he would have one since he has a kiln. any change you can get a hold of any maple? any maple split in the next few weeks should be good for burning this coming winter. Thats what i used this winter and it was at 13-15 percent depending on the size of the split.

 

[PapaDave]

Split a few random pieces of that before you accept delivery and check with a MM.
I don't trust unless I've had prior acceptable dealings.
Call me jaded.

 

[DanCorcoran]

For $400, you can't afford not to invest in a moisture meter. You can get one for no more than $30 and it'll save you a lot of heartache if the guy is misrepresenting the wood.

 

[dyerkutn]

You can get one for no more than $30 and it'll save you a lot of heartache if the guy is misrepresenting the wood.

Where do I get one--went on line and they seemed to be $150-$200

 

[dyerkutn]

it'll save you a lot of heartache if the guy is misrepresenting the wood.

So if he is--is the worst thing that can happen that I will leave it around my place to dry out more and look for something drier?

 

[fox9988]

http://www.lowes.com/pd_78059-56005...gps-_-gps-_-gps-_-3136919&CAWELAID=1024196475
I don't why it says temperature meter. It's not, read the description and the specs.

 

[fox9988]

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=moisture+meter

 

[smokinj]

Toss some into the fire when he gets there......

 

[fox9988]

At $400 a cord, isn't electric/gas/oil/biobricks cheaper? It would be for me. If you don't get next year's wood drying, you will be in the same position. That's a lot of $ after buying a new stove. If you buy two year's worth now, you might pick through it and get lucky enough to find some dry enough to burn this winter. I made it through the winter on oak c/s/s in Feb '12. Not ideal but I had no problems.

 

[dyerkutn]

At $400 a cord, isn't electric/gas/oil/biobricks cheaper?

Could be--I spend about $2000 for oil heat right now but $ is not the only consideration.

The closer you get to a city the more expensive everything is--at least around here. And if you don't have the ability to haul....

However, good news--i went on craigslist and it seems there are lots of people around here dying to sell me a cord or two and deliver and even stack.

 

[katwillny]

and deliver and even stack....
Most people around here only deliver they dont stack. I scrounge, cut, split and stack myself as do most people on this forum. its my therapy.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Could be--I spend about $2000 for oil heat right now but $ is not the only consideration.

The closer you get to a city the more expensive everything is--at least around here. And if you don't have the ability to haul....

However, good news--i went on craigslist and it seems there are lots of people around here dying to sell me a cord or two and deliver and even stack.

dyerkutn, so long as you stay away from oak you might get very lucky with some of that craiglist stuff. Get it split and split it rather small. Stack it so it is off the ground and stack it where the wind will hit the stack. The more wind, the better. In your area, probably covering the top of the stack would be good but for sure you know enough to not cover the sides. Good luck.

 

[dyerkutn]

I scrounge, cut, split and stack myself as do most people on this forum. its my therapy.

I envy you--I will never be able to join that club--but I can get to the wood burning my own way, and I still thank everyone on these forums who is willing to share their knowledge with an outsider like me

Maybe someday I will pick myself up and live with my brother in WA--he is definitely part of the club---and I will take my stove with me.

 

[Woody Stover]

dyerkutn, so long as you stay away from oak you might get very lucky with some of that craiglist stuff. Get it split and split it rather small. Stack it so it is off the ground and stack it where the wind will hit the stack. The more wind, the better. In your area, probably covering the top of the stack would be good but for sure you know enough to not cover the sides. Good luck.

I would try this if you can save a bunch of money. You may be able to find a dealer who's got something that's been split for a while. Split it down smaller if needed. Soft (Red, Silver) Maple will some of the fastest-drying stuff you can get. Could you split and stack, just not scrounge? If so, maybe a tree service could drop you off some soft Maple for free...saves them the dump fee. Lots of it comes down in the spring storms.

 

[katwillny]

their knowledge with an outsider like me

Outsider? are you kidding, anyone who has ever touched a firewood split and burned a part of their body messing with stoves is one of us Nutsos.

 

[ansehnlich1]

I wouldn't rush into a $400/cord deal, it's spring, you won't be burning much more this season. I'd see if I could get some split stuff dumped, and stack it myself in a single row. Ask that guy that's selling the kiln dried stuff about availability in July, see what he says. If he says SURE, I have the stuff year round, then I'd concentrate on finding some cheaper stuff, but hey, that's just me.

 

[Dix]

I wouldn't jump into $400 a cord firewood either.

Scan Craigs list, check the local Penny Saver. I'm sure you can do better. Just get it now, and get it seasoned.

 

[Tuneighty]

Until recently I had to rely on others for a saw and truck. I found a local wood burner with both. I put in my time as labor to split our haul. I was first able to purchase a saw, and now a truck (it was a long time coming.) $800 can get you a really nice saw. I understand your wanting to burn this year, but think ahead as well. Contact all of your local tree services, I would think being in the city they too have limited space to store.

I also relied on kiln dried. I LOVE IT. Even though I am (finally) working on 2014/2015 season, I will probably still buy some next year. That price may change my mind though ( $145/Cord down here.) That said, I have been able to tell what is ready and what is not just by weight. This may not always be the case, but you will understand once you have the load. I have also found that even the heavier stuff reading at 24% on the MM burned better than the Ash I cut this year that was 20%. My first cord I separated all the heavier stuff and am saving it for years to come. With each following cord I mixed it with the rest and it burns good. This is just my experience with an old smoke dragon.

 

[dyerkutn]

I think from all this advice I will cancel the $400/cord I ordered. I found a cord+ of maple on CL for $225--local guy who cut and split and seasoned (14mo.) for a stove he never put in. ANd a local kiln-dried dealer who suggested I order 1/3 of a cord and try it out first. These seem like reasonable 1st steps. I would like some very burnable wood to use on the new stove when it is installed next week and something very dry to start in the fall while I am drying other stuff out.

I can not split but I can stack--especially if I order in smaller batches and build up slowly.

Thanks for all the wisdom everyone.

 

[dyerkutn]

anyone who has ever touched a firewood split and burned a part of their body messing with stoves is one of us Nutsos.

Ha Ha--my neighbors will probably think so when they see more and more wood piling up in my yard-

 

[bogydave]

I think from all this advice I will cancel the $400/cord I ordered. I found a cord+ of maple on CL for $225--local guy who cut and split and seasoned (14mo.) for a stove he never put in. ANd a local kiln-dried dealer who suggested I order 1/3 of a cord and try it out first. These seem like reasonable 1st steps. I would like some very burnable wood to use on the new stove when it is installed next week and something very dry to start in the fall while I am drying other stuff out.

I can not split but I can stack--especially if I order in smaller batches and build up slowly.

Thanks for all the wisdom everyone.

14 months maple should be good to burn now.
It's Spring & you just want to burn the new stove We understand.

Won't use much wood the rest of this burn season
so anything you get will be even better for next burn season.

NOW, you've just entered the arena & got a taste of buying wood & hoping it's dry.
Most all wood takes the minimum of a year to season (oak 3 years)
Sellers rarely have dry wood !

So "VERY VERY SOON" :
Get/buy some wood CSS (Cut, Split, Stacked) off the ground with space between the rows.
so it is seasoned, & is dry & ready to burn this coming winter
(other than oak , oak takes 3 years to dry, many say it's worth it)


Have fun & enjoy the new stove

 

[weatherguy]

Id buy as much as I could afford/fit in your yard now and let it season, I know lots are smaller out your way so you may not be able to get 3 years ahead like most of us try and do. I know of a place in Acton that sells kiln dried cheaper than $400, not sure if thats too far for them to deliver to you.

 

[blacktail]

If you can get some evergreens like pine or hemlock, they'll season a lot faster than hardwoods.

 

[dyerkutn]

I know lots are smaller out your way so you may not be able to get 3 years ahead like most of us try and do.

My backyard is plenty big for storing wood--I am sure I could put many cords back there--just need to get it set up for stacking and covering

I know of a place in Acton that sells kiln dried cheaper than $400, not sure if thats too far for them to deliver to you.

Weather guyActon is great only about 20 minutes from me--I would appreciate the contact info

If you can get some evergreens like pine or hemlock,

I am keeping my eye open--haven't seen any dealers with that--they all like hardwood (oak, ash, etc.) but will keep looking in CL.