Would you burn it?

[Bubbas Boys]

We have 1.5 cords of Chinese elm that I was saving for next year. When I figure what we have for this year I am concerned that the wood for this year might be to little. The Chinese elm tested 28% today (yes I did a fresh split). I shouldn't need it till late Jan orFeb if at all. Would you burn it or by some dryer?

 

[Woody Stover]

I don't think it will dry all that much by then....might be tough to burn. If you can find some drier wood you may want to grab it. But I would check it with a moisture meter before I committed; Lotta guys say it's "seasoned" but to me it's all wet wood until proven otherwise.

 

[Wood Duck]

If you can find drier wood to buy, then you have to make the decision you asked about. I doubt you can buy drier wood, so the elm is probably the best you will have this winter. Burn it, I say.

 

[Bubbas Boys]

What is the worst result I would be facing? Needing to check the chimney for sweeping more often, less BTU?? What am I up against? Is that% unheard of burning?

 

[Woody Stover]

What is the worst result I would be facing? Needing to check the chimney for sweeping more often, less BTU?? What am I up against? Is that% unheard of burning?

Yeah, that's pretty much it. Check your chimney often and brush as needed. You can get by on it. Heck, before I started reading here and got fired up about getting ahead, I used to burn dead Red Oak that was stacked less than a year, some of it probably 30+. It wasn't fun trying to get it lit, would take off when the load dried out etc but I muddled through...

 

[claydogg84]

I'm burning some of that right now mixed with other hardwoods. The elm burns pretty quickly so mix it with better stuff if you can. I would try to burn a couple pieces and see what happens. If you're getting a lot of moisture and hissing coming from the ends then you know you're a bit early.