Out of Wood :-(

[DoubleB]

I am contemplating cutting my own starting this spring and getting out of this nasty, scamming, wood sales game.

I cut my own too. But, just to make sure you don't overlook something...If you have already been comfortable with the idea of paying for dry wood, then you might consider buying less-expensive firewood advertised as green, and seasoning it yourself. You would have to find space and time to let it season regardless if you cut and split yourself.

 

[Soundchasm]

Just make sure you use most of your five senses if you get into less seasoned wood. Keep an eye out for blackened glass, and I can smell unseasoned wood burning. The unseasoned stuff will be heavier. Listen for wood hissing while it burns. I don't think you need to taste anything...

Anyway, all of these things can be compensated for by getting a Sooteater and sweeping monthly. It doesn't take long at all to gunk up a system by burning wet wood.

And don't feel bad. It took me 12 years to find out how much wood I need with two stoves. This will be the first year since 2002 that I won't run out of wood and I'll have a good start on 15/16. It's been a lot of work but I finally have a sense of the rules of the game I'm playing.

 

[forvols]

Well I am in the same boat...been burning more this year and must say my electric bill is over 100 bucks less per month...but I did not collect more wood this year..now I am using some we punky 3yr oak and popular supplemented with ECO BRICKS...LL for sure..get wood season it and cover....also for the price have some eco bricks on hand.

 

[FishKiller]

I agree with nordic... these "arctic vortex's" are the norm now. warms to the 30's then blows hard northwest and the temps drop to sub-0. i started burning full time 3 years ago, and burned 3 cords. last year was over 5 but i figured it was an abnormal year. Now, i'm 3 in this year and my "2 years ahead" might get me through this year. i refuse to buy wood, and have a decent spot to cut. but i also scrounge a lot. its easy to grab a log here and there when you see them. come fall, you'll have a cord or two from that alone. at the end of the day, the only way to know what your burning is to cut it yourself.

 

[DougA]

I think all of us burned more wood than we counted on this year and last. I'm just thankful I spent a few extra days on the splitter this summer.

 

[Swedishchef]

So far, for me, I didn't burn any more than last winter. Last winter we had a cold snap that lasted 4 weeks. And the same is happening (and lasting longer).

I didn't burn more wood but I did have a higher power bill

Andrew

 

[Paulywalnut]

Crazy. I've never seen 10% oak.

 

[Beardog]

9 cord under the snow piles, maybe 3 weeks worth under dry cover. Once that is gone, I am likely done. No doubt I have saved a ton of $$$ on oil this year and been much warmer than I would burning the fossil fuel. About mid March I am sick of the moving of wood and will turn on the oil burner again. Will put more under cover for next year though, I hate running out.

 

[wardk]

I know what the op is going through , the wood pile looks huge before burning season but this time of year look pretty small. Had to go into the bush yesterday and get some more, fortunately no snow here got 3 large standing dead firs about 1.5 cords , should be good till the end of burning season. Thankfully we have not had the winter the east has had.

 

[Swedishchef]

I know what the op is going through , the wood pile looks huge before burning season but this time of year look pretty small. Had to go into the bush yesterday and get some more, fortunately no snow here got 3 large standing dead firs about 1.5 cords , should be good till the end of burning season. Thankfully we have not had the winter the east has had.

I have about 1 cord left. It had better last! Or I'll be starting to burn furniture!

Andrew