Lots of stage 2 Creosote in thimble....

[begreen]

Yes, it sounds like you are ready for the cold weather. This should be a much more fun burning experience too.

 

[Woodsplitter67]

Yes I know that is the proper way to test the moisture content. I hadn't done that the first time around. I just did now and got a bunch of readings anywhere from 17 - 25% depending on the species and size of the split. Also, it has been hot, rainy, and humid as anything here the last 2 days, so that likely is not helping anything. I do feel this wood is fully ready to go this coming winter.

how much wood do you have .. and what species is more like the 25%MC

 

[Ctwoodtick]

With a couple more months of drying till burning season, you should be dry enough.

 

[MichaelAL]

how much wood do you have .. and what species is more like the 25%MC

I have a little more than a cord leftover from last year, and the species that is higher MC is oak (not surprising). I am in the process of trying to find a supplier around here that can deliver at least close to properly seasoned additional stock for this season. 3 cord more is how much I intend to get. There is a guy that will deliver kiln dried oak (guaranteed 15% MC) but it is $425/cord

 

[MichaelAL]

With a couple more months of drying till burning season, you should be dry enough.

No matter what it will be better than last years wood!

 

[Ctwoodtick]

No matter what it will be better than last years wood!

The oak may lose a percentage point or two before you burn it. It won’t burn as well as your drier wood but It shouldn’t produce the amount of buildup as before.

 

[kborndale]

I have a little more than a cord leftover from last year, and the species that is higher MC is oak (not surprising). I am in the process of trying to find a supplier around here that can deliver at least close to properly seasoned additional stock for this season. 3 cord more is how much I intend to get. There is a guy that will deliver kiln dried oak (guaranteed 15% MC) but it is $425/cord

The chance of buying wood that isnt kiln dried and will be ready to burn this year is very slim. If you are buying your wood you are going to have to get it a year in advance and season it yourself. Kiln dried is nice, but at that price its cheaper to run the furnace. Also, I would not believe his claim of 15%. They often only cook it long enough to kill the bugs.

 

[MichaelAL]

Hi All,

I may need to start a new thread as this one is pretty old, but since it is all a part of the ongoing discussion...

I have burned

Yea that is a lot for only going through two cords of wood, now as we enter fall time and things are drying out, take a few random splits and resplit them, test the fresh face with a moisture meter (lowes - $30.00) you want to be between 15% - 22% for optimum wood, you can burn up to 25% but at that point you need to burn with the air control up, and you will be fighting short burn times, less heat output and creosote build up.
Also since your only entering your second season it would be wise to clean you chimney after every cord, this will give you an idea of how your doing and if you need to burn hotter or can lessen the air intake and let it ride for same heat output but with longer burn times.

Hi All,

I may end up starting a new thread as this one is pretty old, but since it is all a part of the ongoing discussion... Kenny, I took your suggestion and cleaned my entire liner again as I just finished burning my first cord of the year (maybe just a tad more than a cord actually). Anyway, I still got quite a bit of creosote. See pictures attached. I am confident that my wood is well dried (20% or less) based on testing it per everybody's instructions with a fresh split and meter into the clean face. My question is 'is this a lot more creosote than should be expected after burning just one cord?' Assuming this is just the reality of how much creosote my setup will be producing, and there are no obvious/quick solutions to reduce the buildup, how many cords is it safe for me to burn between cleaning the liner? Doing it is a bit of a PIA and I would rather not have to do it 3-4 times a year (I expect to burn 3-4 cords/year).

Thanks all.

 

[mellow]

I wonder how much air that cleanout cap is leaking, if your getting a bunch of cooler air mixed in with the exhaust gasses that will create creosote as well. I would try burning an incense stick near it the next time you burn to see how much smoke gets drawn into that cap.