Really Good News on the Wood Drying Front

[Parallax]

The other day, I picked up a moisture meter and freshly split a few pieces of wood. The stuff we're currently burning was measuring mostly 14% or 15% (though as high as 18% in a few spots). It's what passes for hardwood around here and it's been drying for more than a full year. Possibly two or more years.

When that runs out, we have ten cords of Douglas fir, all cut and stacked in our woodshed. I was concerned because the hardwood is running out and the Doug fir was cut this past June. However, when I measured it, the readings were ranging from 18% to 22% (as high as 24% in the knot of a couple of splits). It's not as dry as I'd like it but the stuff that hasn't been cut yet was coming in around 40%, so it's clearly dried quite a bit in just a few months. If we had to burn it right now, it would probably be alright and hopefully our dryer stuff will hold out another month or two.

Also of interest, some old decayed logs that I'd cut and split were well over 50%. I figured rotting wood would be dry. Apparently not. Does it make sense to dry and burn that stuff or should I just chuck it in the woods to keep decomposing?

 

[Woody Stover]

The rotters won't put out much heat, depending on just how rotten they are, and they absorb water which is why you got high moisture readings.

 

[Parallax]

The rotters won't put out much heat, depending on just how rotten they are, and they absorb water which is why you got high moisture readings.

Thanks. They're pretty damn rotten and pretty darn wet.

 

[Grisu]

I guess that wood had become punky. It soaks water like a sponge. If you want to make the effort you can dry it out in a protected spot and use it as firestarter. Burns almost like paper once dry and will be very light, similar to balsa wood.

 

[Parallax]

Cool. That's really helpful. If I dipped them in paraffin wax, would probably be even better.

 

[Grisu]

Cool. That's really helpful. If I dipped them in paraffin wax, would probably be even better.

I would only try that with a very small piece. Dry, punky wood starts fast and burns quickly already. Not sure what adding paraffin wax would do to it. However, drying it out will take some time and it absolutely needs to be protected from moisture.

 

[Parallax]

Thanks. Will see if I can get it to dry (outdoors, because I don't want that stuff in my garage or even the woodshed). Right now I've got it covered with plywood. Perhaps I'll add a tarp.

 

[Bagelboy]

I usually keep the punky stuff for our outside fire pit. Come cooler nights, I burn this stuff. In some way, shape, or form, I try to use all wood I have. Even painted 2x4s and trim go into the fire pit. It makes excellant kindling!

 

[begreen]

Thanks. They're pretty damn rotten and pretty darn wet.

Relegate them to compost, they're already on their way.

 

[SteveKG]

I find that rotted wood seems to absorb moisture from the atmosphere. Can't prove it, but I've seen it increase in moisture sitting under cover.

 

[begreen]

If it's alder, once it starts rotting there is no stopping it. The tree decomposes very quickly which is a good thing when it's lying on the forest floor. It's a good source of nutrients for other trees.

 

[240onts]

Agreed. Once it's rotting leave it where it is. My friend gave me some logs years ago (18"-2' wide, 18" long). Outsides fell apart but the cores were ok. More time than it was worth and this was oak and ash.

 

[Parallax]

Since I've already got it cut, split and stacked, I'll give it some time to dry and see if we get anywhere. If not, can just toss it back to the trees.

 

[begreen]

I used punky alder and maple in my bee smoker. It produced the most smoke, not what one wants in a wood stove.