Wood too dry?

[ArsenalDon]

I put in a load of wood tonight, packed it tight like usual...a nice big load with big splits...the splits came from a round that was really dry...one could say rotted dry...it was light as feather...the load will not take off...what is the deal? I thought dry was good? I figured this load might go up quicker, but not die out and not take off!?!?

 

[bmblank]

Dry rot. All the good burnable stuff rooted away. In my experience what's left burns like paper. Not much btu value left.

 

[ArsenalDon]

Dry rot. All the good burnable stuff rooted away. In my experience what's left burns like paper. Not much btu value left.

Great....I either have stuff too wet or too dry....cannot wait until next year...neah...2 years from now when I can burn stuff that is just right...says goldie locks...not too wet, not too dry...juuuuuuuust right.

 

[Jon1270]

Great....I either have stuff too wet or too dry.

No, it's not too dry, it's too rotted. Making it wetter won't help. It may even be too damp now, but just seem dry because it's light.

Also, there's really no such thing as dry rot. Wood doesn't rot unless it's damp enough to support the microorganisms that eat it, though it's certainly possible for it to rot and then dry out.

 

[bmblank]

Of course it isn't rotted because its to dry, but that's a common term for it,a far as I know. Usually happens through cycles of drying and getting wet again in my experience. It basically rots on a cellular level and the fibers hold the rotted portions together.
Not allot of btus, but I've never had any problems burning it. Can't have a fire made entirely of this stuff, but throwing a couple pieces in a roaring fire is no problem.

 

[Jon1270]

but that's a common term for it,a far as I know.

Agreed; it's just that the "dry" in "dry rot" is misleading.

 

[oldspark]

PUNKY.

 

[golfandwoodnut]

PUNKY.

agreed

 

[AJS56]

PUNKY.

Yup, that's what we call it - punky. Light in weight, can be a little soft or crumbly. Basically it has rotted. It will burn, but not much btu's. We try to use those pieces during the day when we are activley tending the stove. Or better yet, leave them outside for bonfires!

 

[Paulywalnut]

Throw it in when you have a fire with big coals. It'll burn.