Wet Logs

MoneyGeoff

Hi,

I bought a cubic metre of logs from an online store. It was expensive and I'm not happy about the quality of the logs. They are wet to touch and some are mouldy. The water content is 40% whereas previously (from a different vendor) it was 25%.

If I'd paid £40 per cubic metre of ebay I'd probably accept it and dry them out myself, but at £120 per cubic metre I was expecting them to be seasoned, dry and ready to use.

I've sent off a complaint. Is it reasonable to ask for a refund/replacement? I checked the website and unfortunately 40% is within the advertised range

Thanks.

greatgimpo

Looks like you may have bought your logs for 2014.

Williwoodburner

The only way to ensure dry properly seasoned logs is to process your own, most sellers havent got the room to split and stack hundreds of cubic meters of wood properly so store in the round and split shortly before supply.
Best solution if you buy logs is to buy now for next season and stack outside in a windy spot with top cover.
The only other alternative is briquettes, you will be very lucky to find a supplier with dry properly seasoned wood, especially at this time of year.

regards

Willie.

A._Badger

I think Williwoodburner is right. I've given up trying to find a supplier who has properly seasoned logs - even in late Summer. Instead I buy as many as I can get, as far ahead as possible, and season them myself.

savemoney

I tend to buy mine back end of Summer and get a full pickup load rather than 1/2 load I then store then in racks in a old garage. I leave garage door open when its dry to allow for air. Not sure of water content as my meter went catapult last year. You could as suggested get briquettes they very dry and burn really hot but are more expensive but when you allow for the heat they give off they probably not much more. I got loads when on offer @ aldi last year whilst I dont use many I just use them to give burner a boost

Edit you have to keep the briquettes in a dry place

MoneyGeoff

Thanks all, I'll do that in future. If I'm seasoning them myself though I may as well buy the cheapest ones going. Do I have any grounds to get these taken away and refunded so I can buy from elsewhere, or I'm lumbered with them?

jaybeetoo

MoneyGeoff wrote: »

Do I have any grounds to get these taken away and refunded so I can buy from elsewhere, or I'm lumbered with them?

:rotfl:

It depends on how they were advertised.

muckybutt

I would say that being as they are advertised as upto 40% moisture content you wont have any comeback, chalk it down to experiance and season them for the next year.

ilikecookies

Unfortunately I don't think you've got much wriggle room in this case.
As folks point out you can at least season is and use it at a future date so you are not down on the deal per se.

But I'd agree that for the price you paid it is annoying. You could try at least try writing/emailing the seller, stating you are not happy and requesting a discount as a goodwill gesture. Unlikely to wield results but you never know.

MoneyGeoff

Thanks all. I agree I don't have any come back on the 40% moisture content. My main annoyance though is that the are sopping wet. They've clearly been out in the rain for some time. If they were dry at least I could start using them but they are so wet they are unusable

BirnamBear

Can understand your frustration,this is our 5th winter with two woodburners and after various hits and misses I have now found a superb kiln dried wood supplier with hardwood at <15-20% moisture content.

It's like the Rolls Royce of wood after previous experiences.