Well, if this summer "here in Michigan" is any indication of this up coming winter, feels like we are in for a good one! and just for your FYI, I had two stacks of hard wood oak,hickory etc One being in a HH stack, and the other conventional stack. And the HH stack is definitely drier ! Ok so the solid red oak pile did get a little more shade, but right next to HH. I like the HH myself. They work well. And it's a nice conversation piece.... This will be second full year of burning and I feel very confident in doing so. Thanks guy's for all your help and advice.