Question about oak.

[Sully]

Well we were running low for this year so I got a cord of oak. Went the craigslist route. He got me on the hook with actually having some knowledge of wood and moisture. Delivered in the rain and at night. Wth. Lol. Checked splits probably about ten. It was ok. Some as low as 16 one at 35. But majority was either 22 or below. I know we are aiming for 20 but in middle of winter at a good price I went with it.

To the question is oak just are harder wood to get started ? With out old "mixed" stack we had no problem getting fire going. That to was not perfect wood but I could always get it going and I could get up to 800. This oak seems to be harder for me to get the inferno we used to get unless door is open. It's almost a good thing I guess because it is not flying out of control to 800. But it's only going to like 5 550. And staying there. Is it better to mix oak? I'm sure my answer is going to be use it next year but I'm not ready to end my season this early

 

[midwestcoast]

Well, if you have anything drier to mix it with it will definitely help. Yes marginal Oak is harder to get going than other (lighter) species at the same moisture level.
If nothing to mix it with it's up to you whether you struggle on or call it a season. At those moisture levels bringing some inside to sit by the stove (maintaining clearances) can help, so can splitting smaller and re-loading earlier when theres a nice bed of coals to start it off.

 

[Paulywalnut]

Oak burns by itself quite we'll when dry. Locust and mulberry on the other hand need a helper like ash or hard maple.
Oak is great stuff, maybe you have some of the wet stuff in there keeping it from taking off.

 

[jatoxico]

Probably is wetter than you would like. +1 on splitting smaller. Lumber scraps, pallets, make due. Been there.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

As a rule the denser the wood the more difficult it is to start

 

[JA600L]

Throw some good kindling or wood pellets underneath it to help it along.

 

[Sully]

It's going to the stacks. If j can't find decent wood in next week or so that's going to be a wrap.

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

It's going to the stacks. If j can't find decent wood in next week or so that's going to be a wrap.

So sorry to hear. Figure out how much wood you need for next year and buy double now, stack it single row and in the sun and wind and you will be good to go next year.... Ps don't be so easy to give up, pick through what you have and will have and use the driest that you've got...

 

[Sully]

So sorry to hear. Figure out how much wood you need for next year and buy double now, stack it single row and in the sun and wind and you will be good to go next year.... Ps don't be so easy to give up, pick through what you have and will have and use the driest that you've got...

That's what I did today , repair the sits and loaded with anything close to 20. I will do with th rest as well. I've been collecting all winter and have about 5 cords now with more to to go. Lesson Learned. Better to learn during a mild winter than a bad one

 

[Sully]

At least this wood made me laugh. My kids were yelling " we did not eat yet we did not eat yet" I held up a piece of this oak and said eat up. The wife yelled from the other room, "nice and moist should be good eating". I had to laugh

 

[Ram 1500 with an axe...]

If you have 5 cords split, find your driest and put it in the garage, if you get a sunny day,let it lay in it for and hour or so, good luck, keep it out of the rain and snow. I have wood that is less then 20% and doesn't burn as good if it rained recently..... Good luck...

 

[midwestcoast]

I know it's too late & you're already on your way with the next couple year's wood, but for the record, to any first year burner in search of dry firewood in January who might stumble upon this thread Stay Away From Oak!! Once you are a year or more ahead, Oak is great. When you're trying to find something dry enough to burn to get through the first winter OAK IS THE WORST! Spoken from experience.

 

[tfdchief]

I burn a lot of Oak. But it has to be seasoned. I like for it to be 3 years. Then it catches and burns great. Nothing better. Anything less than that, it can be a problem.