What am I in for?

[wizards8507]

This was my first season heating with wood and we did pretty well with two cords of not-quite-seasoned (~25%) mixed hardwoods that we bought not knowing any better. Looking to start stocking up, I ordered three cords of green wood at $160 per, which is a steal around here. The guy shows up today with the first "cord" and dumps at least a cord and a half of the cleanest, heaviest oak you've ever seen. I know I hit the jackpot in terms of BTU per dollar, but I'm concerned about the logistics. My questions:

1. Do I have to bust up some of these big wedges to get them to season or is it enough that they're split, period?

2. Does oak REALLY take 2 to 3 years to season? I don't have a ton of room if I'm going to need to store my 2017-18 supply in addition to the rest of this order.

3. How far along the seasoning process are we (in terms of time) if we're currently reading 35%? My seller got the wood "from a guy" and didn't know how old it was.

 

[peakbagger]

Great stuff for the winter of 2018 to 2019. Split it small and plan on stacking it in single rows in sunny spot with a top cover that allows air circulation over the top.

 

[SeanBB]

The thinner the split the quicker it will season. I allow three years for oak, sometimes it seasons quicker. Most important is airflow. Find a location that gets a lot of wind, top cover if you get a lot of rain but leave the sides open.

 

[bholler]

I spilt small and stack single row top covered and I get it under 20% in a year. But many people cant get that done it all depends on climate but yes if you want it to dry faster you need to split it down more.

 

[Ctwoodtick]

If you have an open, airy space to dry your wood and split small, you might be alright for this coming winter. For point of reference, I have one yr old oak split on the small side that measures a bit under 25%. My stack configuration is pictured in my avatar in drying location I would consider "fair". These are double rows up on pallets with a few feet between pallets. Stack left uncovered in our drought here in Connecticut. A better spot in the yard would have dried it a little more. Top covering your oak may help it lose an extra couple of percentage points, which is very noticeable in the stove.
This all said, it is true that 2 to 3 yrs is best for oak, and probably all firewood. That allows you to use bigger splits along with not having to be concerned with moisture content. I have space for about 2 yrs of wood, so it is a bit tough to be way ahead like some are. I have found that things work fine with the super dense woods, as long as you try to wait as long as possible on the and to not use big splits.
Btw, be careful if you are using small splits in the stove, as this can heat up the stove quick. Turning the stove air supply down quicker will help. Would not load stove full of small splits.

 

[peakbagger]

By the way even with a single row you should probably switch to alternating the layers 90 degrees with gaps between the logs. The objective is to get as much warm air around each piece of wood as possible.

The alternative is to search the site for info on solar kilns. A greenhouse with good air circulation can really dry wood quick.

 

[sportbikerider78]

Oak and maple are just so heavy and solid. Get it split small. Personally, I think wind and sun are the most important thing. Get those temps up and good things can happen. I have even found apple to dry much quicker than oak.

People have wrapped their stacks in plastic wrap to cook the wood and dry it quicker. I'm going to try it as an experiment this summer.

 

[Ctwoodtick]

Oak and maple are just so heavy and solid. Get it split small. Personally, I think wind and sun are the most important thing. Get those temps up and good things can happen. I have even found apple to dry much quicker than oak.

People have wrapped their stacks in plastic wrap to cook the wood and dry it quicker. I'm going to try it as an experiment this summer.

I would think attention to the wood being ventilated would be important with this.

 

[wizards8507]

Finished stacking the first cord yesterday, which has been tough to do after work since my stack area is not well-lit. Today we're getting wind gusts up to 60 MPH and the smell coming off the pile is AMAZING.



This is what the guy sold me as "one cord." I'm estimating the stack is about 5 x 24 x 1.25, plus a little extra stacked behind the oak tree in the left of the photo.

 

[kavu]

Finished stacking the first cord yesterday, which has been tough to do after work since my stack area is not well-lit. Today we're getting wind gusts up to 60 MPH and the smell coming off the pile is AMAZING.

View attachment 195453

This is what the guy sold me as "one cord." I'm estimating the stack is about 5 x 24 x 1.25, plus a little extra stacked behind the oak tree in the left of the photo.

A cord is 128 cubic ft. Those dimensions are 150 cubic ft. Looks like you came out ahead for one cord.

Use this site to calculate what you have.

http://www.maine.gov/ag/firewood.html

 

[Babaganoosh]

I would think attention to the wood being ventilated would be important with this.

I've done the shrink wrap thing and it works. Works very well actually.

 

[kavu]

I've done the shrink wrap thing and it works. Works very well actually.

Did you have any mold problems?

 

[Babaganoosh]

Did you have any mold problems?

It gets small vents. The moisture laden air escapes and the condensation drips down and runs out. In the beginning of the process a lot of water initially comes out. Then it slows down. After the process slowed down I unwrapped it to make sure it got enough wind thru it to dry it out. There's lots of variables you can experiment with.

 

[kavu]

It gets small vents. The moisture laden air escapes and the condensation drips down and runs out. In the beginning of the process a lot of water initially comes out. Then it slows down. After the process slowed down I unwrapped it to make sure it got enough wind thru it to dry it out. There's lots of variables you can experiment with.

Any pics or description of where to put the vents and how many? I may give it a try.

 

[wizards8507]

A cord is 128 cubic ft. Those dimensions are 150 cubic ft. Looks like you came out ahead for one cord.

Use this site to calculate what you have.

http://www.maine.gov/ag/firewood.html

Yup, that was my point. This seller has been more than fair, to the point where I've started paying him more than his asking price.