Where to get dry wood

Leif

Last night I bought some hard wood logs for a wood burning stove, opened one net and they were sodden, with white mould on many surfaces. The garden centre refunded the money which was good. So, a bit wiser, I went round various places checking the logs with my moisture meter. All were well over 20%, most were 30% to 40%. I am told I can burn seasoned wood, 20-30% moisture content, but I'd rather stick to 20% and less. Where do people get wood from?

I've a stash of wood in the garage, but that'll take another year before it is ready. I bought some pellets today, they are compressed sawdust I think, better than nothing.

Lastly, is there any harm in burning paper and cardboard? I burn some to start the fire of course, but I have quite a bit of cardboard lying around.

Lube

Best get them locally try google your area and seasoned logs

say "Blackpool seasoned logs"

You can burn paper and cardboard in moderation it creates a lot of ash so can chock a fire

muckybutt

Loads of kiln dried suppliers on line, alternatively look for local bespoke furniture or conservatory manufacturers, they often sell the off cuts.

I use a furniture manufacturer near me where its all seasond / dried hardwood, burns fantastic and is a lovely aroma outside.

You could also look at peat or compressed wood briquettes, there are quite a few variables you can play about with. I wouldnt recommend paper or cardboard though, poor heat output - loads of ash - can cause chimney fires, ok for lighting a fire thats as far as I would go.

A._Badger

Buying wood in nets from garages and garden centres is almost always a mug's game. It's rarely very good and inevitably overpriced

In theory the place to go is a specialist log supplier but my experience of them has been less than inspiring over the years. I found a new supplier this past summer and his first delivery was fine - excellent, in fact..So was the second, but a recent delivery of ash was wet and I got the usual "oh, you can burn ash the moment it's cut".

Well, yes, you can, but you wouldn't want to and you shouldn't have to.

The problem is that the sale of stoves as lifestyle trophies has resulted in a serious shortage of properly seasoned wood and a lot of people coming into the business who are in it to make a fast buck.

If I don't find a reliable supplier soon, I think I'm going to have to stick with smokeless fuel all the time. Mucky's advice is good, but any furniture makers etc in my area worked out the value of spare wood long ago!

Swipe

The biggest mistake you can make is to order wood at this time of year. Order it in spring or early summer when it's the last thing on people's minds. That way, you pay less and get another 6 months of seasoning time if you stack it undercover and exposed to wind

Leif

Thanks for the helpful advice. I'll ask my neighbour about local furniture makers, he used to be an upholsterer so he should know. That's a good point about buying in the spring. Fortunately I have a multi-fuel stove so I am not limited to wood.

A._Badger

Swipe wrote: »

The biggest mistake you can make is to order wood at this time of year. Order it in spring or early summer when it's the last thing on people's minds. That way, you pay less and get another 6 months of seasoning time if you stack it undercover and exposed to wind

Unfortunately, I get through so much with a 14kw stove that I simply don't have room to store enough. A large carport full from front to back in June/July is emptied in no time at all.

That's another thing the lifestyle magazines don't tell prospective stove buyers - how much space wood takes and the effort needed to dry and, sometimes, chop it.

Skulls

Try some Hotties or Heat logs both types of briquettes. I tried the Heat logs and ended up buying a ton pallet of them for £290 delivered, they should last until the spring, I hope. Best move I've done since buying my new wood burner, now on my third stove.

Greenfires can supply the hotties or for the Heat logs just Google, delivered almost anywhere.