Got some two year red oak that was seasoned in my pole barn. Sounds like a bowling pin when I smack it. I getting about 16% on my mm with a fresh split. I threw a couple of pieces on the fire pit and it sizzled pretty good for about 5 minutes. What gives?
Still sizzling
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It is a 40'X60' with one of the 60' side completely open with a couple of opening on the metal sides. Airflow appears to be good.
When you tested the mc and got 16% reading did you split the wood in half first? You want to test the middle of the split. Not the outside.
Soundchasm
Minister of Fire
I think Hogwildz had a post where he had some 2-3 YO white oak that cooked off moisture from dead-center for 10-15 minutes before burning for hours. Must be the nature of the beast.
YES. I got my largest log at the bottom of the pile and split and within 30 seconds got the reading. I did test on my palm and got 31%.
1
Butcher
Minister of Fire
It's possible to test cellular moisture content in the teens inside a new split, yet at the same time there could be higher MC on the outer surface (rain/atmospheric). That is, moisture content doesn't have to be uniform throughout a log, especially if the bark is still attached or the outer wood (sapwood) was allowed to get a little punky/spongy.
Was this piece from near the sides of the pole barn and could possibly get some precipitation/dew/fog exposure?
Was this piece from near the sides of the pole barn and could possibly get some precipitation/dew/fog exposure?
So these are full rounds that have not been split? Is yes they will take longer to season. Really, 16% mc is not bad. It's ready to go. If you burn them in hot fire they won't sizzle.
paul bunion
Minister of Fire
At 16% your firewood is still about 1/7 water. A 7 pound piece will contain about a pint of water. So there is still some water to be cooked out of it. Your pieces happened to let you see it sizzle.
If it's just hissing for a while, not bubbling out the end of the split, it should burn pretty well. I would test some more pieces to get a more accurate sampling of that stack.
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