So the temperature is dropping, Heating bill is rising, and my smokey old open fireplace is sucking dollar bills up the chimney. Then I stumble upon the world of EPA certified efficient wood burning inserts at my local hearth store while looking at some glass doors to seal up the hole. So now I've got my QuadraFire 4100i installed along with the stainless steel chimney liner and everything is going great.
Unfortunately, I've only got half a face cord of wood (who'd want any more with an open fireplace). So I turn to the local retailer with "seasoned guaranteed to burn" firewood. I got it delivered, and it burns, kind of, but it seems like all the energy is going into drying the wood. So I headed down to the local harbor freight and picked up their $19.99 moisture meter to check out my predicament.
The half face cord I have left over is a beautiful 10% moisture content. Burns like a dream. I'm starting to think of it like candy in the world of firewood.
The new stuff, however, around 25% moisture content on average.
What I'm wondering, is 25% wet enough to complain about, or demand a partial refund?
Am I just being picky and 25% is fine for burning?
How low should I let the moisture content get before I start burning it? (20%?)
How long (ballpark) you think that might take in the North East?
Are there actually places that'll sell wood under 20%? (And if anyone knows any in Central New York that'd be great)
I'll appreciate any experience you can share with me.
Unfortunately, I've only got half a face cord of wood (who'd want any more with an open fireplace). So I turn to the local retailer with "seasoned guaranteed to burn" firewood. I got it delivered, and it burns, kind of, but it seems like all the energy is going into drying the wood. So I headed down to the local harbor freight and picked up their $19.99 moisture meter to check out my predicament.
The half face cord I have left over is a beautiful 10% moisture content. Burns like a dream. I'm starting to think of it like candy in the world of firewood.
The new stuff, however, around 25% moisture content on average.
What I'm wondering, is 25% wet enough to complain about, or demand a partial refund?
Am I just being picky and 25% is fine for burning?
How low should I let the moisture content get before I start burning it? (20%?)
How long (ballpark) you think that might take in the North East?
Are there actually places that'll sell wood under 20%? (And if anyone knows any in Central New York that'd be great)
I'll appreciate any experience you can share with me.