Firewood seasoning.

Grenage

I had a bulk bag's worth of 'seasoned' ash delivered last weekend; although it sounded rather hollow, it was awful to burn and the ends became visibly damp as moisture was driven out.  I split a piece and dug out a moisture meter - it reads around 38% in the centre.

After a harsh disagreement we've gone our separate ways and I've left it in the store.  I'm going to get some more wood, but how likely is the stuff to be useful within the next few months.  I've written it off for the year as while our store is open, it sits in the shade of the house.

dunstonh

Personally, we buy seasoned wood and leave it for another 6-12 months before we use it.  Just to be on the safe side.
Given the amount of rain we have had over the last few months, could it be rainwater rather than lack of seasoning?  (depending on how open your store is to the elements)
If its at 38% now then January and Feb is unlikely to see any real improvement.

Grenage

dunstonh said:

Personally, we buy seasoned wood and leave it for another 6-12 months before we use it.

I think we'll do the same in future, although I've recently discovered the wonders of free wood on facebook marketplace so I'll probably just collect and split my own next year.

It could just be rain water from before it was delivered, but I'll write this lot off until next winter.  Cheers!

Ectophile

I'm with dunstonh.  If I need to buy wood, I try to get it in the spring, so I can leave it in the log store for a full summer.

When I gather my own firewood, I always keep it for at least two years.  One year stacked in piles and another in the log store.  I would prefer to keep it all in a log store, but I would have to buy another one to fit it all in.

Grenage

I picked up a few nets last night and they were also too damp.  I think I'll do the same in future and just write this year off.

Ectophile

If you only want the occasional fire, then the manufactured heat logs are a good alternative.  They are made from compressed sawdust, and burn well if they have been kept dry.  Keep an eye out for special offers.

Generally, the darker they are, the slower they burn.

Keep them dry, because if they are kept in a damp place, they have a habit of disintegrating back into a pile of sawdust.

Grenage

Hi Ectophile,
We did try some the other week.  A little slow to get going, but really decent once burning away.

dunstonh

Is there anywhere local to you that does kiln dried logs? 

clive0510

what you got wont be much good this winter. leave it over winter somewhere dry and ventilated, so it doesnt rot or get wood lice or beetles in it, and this time next year, different story hopefully.

Grenage

I bought a load of the compressed heat logs to see us through the occasional fires; I got a good price online.

At least I'm well stocked for next year!

Cash-Cows

I was so disappointed with seasoned wood I decided it was not worth the purchase price. Our wood is now delivered as lengths of tree trunks, which we chain, chop and store ourselves. It's a fraction of the cost but more work. 

Wood takes time to season. I'm of the opinion that i always want two summers on it before I'll use it.