Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

LookingM4FnearUCONN OP t1_ite5wxp wrote

Reply to comment by phoebeandsunny in How do I start a fireplace and not smoke? by LookingM4FnearUCONN

Idk what this means!

2

US-Freedom-81 t1_ite8h6w wrote

Having properly seasoned wood is the most critical part of getting a good fire going. Knowing that your wood is seasoned can be done by understanding what the moisture content of the wood is. Buy a moisture meter off Amazon that has two metal prongs. you want your wood to be around 20% or less moisture

6

LookingM4FnearUCONN OP t1_ite8vbv wrote

Okay will do thanks

1

buried_lede t1_itfvius wrote

lol, in other words, it's old -not green wood that's freshly cut

2

LookingM4FnearUCONN OP t1_itfyzy9 wrote

Well the wood I got wasn’t green and split very easily but idk how old it was

1

Passion_Full t1_ite8yha wrote

You don't want to use fresh green wood (like recently chopped) it needs to be thoroughly dry throughout to ensure it will make a fire not smoke

5

LookingM4FnearUCONN OP t1_ite9ag4 wrote

Man I screwed up then. Is there any way to fasten the drying? I spent a whole weekend chopping and cutting it up!

2

Passion_Full t1_ite9ft3 wrote

Not that I'm aware of. Generally, we chop wood one year, store in a place to dry out, and the use that the following year. You can purchase small packs of seasoned wood as well.

5

LookingM4FnearUCONN OP t1_itea1pl wrote

Dang okay. Thanks

1

sweatydillpickle t1_item0e9 wrote

The fastest way to dry it is to stack it up as a ‘face cord’ so it’s only one stack deep. Make sure it’s ~6 inches off the ground and cover the top with a tarp that doesn’t overhang the sides by more than a foot. To speed drying you need to expose as much surface area to the breeze as possible and keeping a small tarp on top will keep rain off of it without blocking airflow. If the wood is sizzling in your fireplace it’s too wet. Over time you will learn the sound and weight of dry wood versus wet. We’re on our 5th year with a wood stove and im still learning. Try to stay about one year ahead on your wood supply.

3

buried_lede t1_itfvmdc wrote

Yeah, store that for next year and buy some from a fire wood dealer who has dry (seasoned) wood

2

SectorZed t1_itfzuct wrote

You can buy seasoned wood from places. We used to buy kiln dried wood and it lit up extremely fast.

4

as1126 t1_ite7pzm wrote

Four seasons outside to dry and very little chance of moss or dampness. Do you buy wood or you have a stack outside?

2

LookingM4FnearUCONN OP t1_ite8has wrote

I had a guy dump some huge branches/trunks in my yard and I chopped them up

3

jjdiablo t1_itedawx wrote

There’s your problem right there. That wood has too much moisture, and will do nothing but hiss and make lots of smoke. Hold off and burn that wood in 12 months.

If you want to try a fire with the small wood bundles that gas stations sell, you will learn how easy it should be to light a fire. Those bundles are usually kiln dried so they can be burned immediately. Problem is they are like $6-$7 for a few pieces, usually too expensive if you will be burning a lot . But it will be good practice.

6

as1126 t1_ite8l34 wrote

Burn them next year. This year, buy some. Keep it off the ground.

5

Ordinary_Guitar_5074 t1_ite81x0 wrote

That’s too long. It’s going to start turning to pulp after the first year. I think wood is seasoned after one year.

−4

as1126 t1_ite8a2v wrote

So four seasons is not one year? What did I miss?

6