Burning wet 'green' wood in open fire

ireland.man

It's my second question here in two days so obviously I'm having a great time...

I just got a pile of logs, probably freshly cut (some still covered in moss and mud on some of them). My question is if it's at all safe to burn them in a small fireplace (I've recently cleaned the chimneys and would have a fireguard up)? I know it could lead to a build-up of creosote in the long-run but in the short term (months) would it be too risky? What do others think here... anyone burn green wood?

Dtp1979

ireland.man wrote: »

It's my second question here in two days so obviously I'm having a great time...

I just got a pile of logs, probably freshly cut (some still covered in moss and mud on some of them). My question is if it's at all safe to burn them in a small fireplace (I've recently cleaned the chimneys and would have a fireguard up)? I know it could lead to a build-up of creosote in the long-run but in the short term (months) would it be too risky? What do others think here... anyone burn green wood?

Do not burn damp timber. You'll destroy your chimney, and the heat output will be terrible. But most importantly it'll be terrible for the chimney

FT7

ash is the only timber you could use fresh with some degree of efficiency as mentioned others will have poor heat and cause a build up of tar on the chimney

ireland.man

Is there any way to quickly dry (or somewhat dry) this timber? I have a good bit of it and from what I'm learning it's useless until next Winter at least...

shane0007

If the timber has a high moisture content, the energy that is within itself will be used first to burn off that moisture. That's why it will not burn properly & not give off any measurable amount of heat.

FT7

ireland.man wrote: »

Is there any way to quickly dry (or somewhat dry) this timber? I have a good bit of it and from what I'm learning it's useless until next Winter at least...

it will dry fastest logged, stack it loosely where the the wind and sun can get through it but not rain

an open lean too type shed is best

what type of time is it?

I sell fire firewood, I am now felling next years supply.

shane0007

Would you believe there is actually a wood pellet manufacturer in this country that dries their wood to achieve the Argrement level of moisture content with oil boilers! You could only find it in Ireland!!!

ireland.man

FT7 wrote: »

it will dry fastest logged, stack it loosely where the the wind and sun can get through it but not rain

an open lean too type shed is best

what type of time is it?

I sell fire firewood, I am now felling next years supply.

Thanks for the tips. So stacked and in a good drying position but would there be a noticeable difference in two months say?

This'll teach me to ask questions before buying...

shane0007

IMO you generally want at least 6 months but that would depend on time of year & the weather.

ireland.man

So out of curiosity- how much would people pay here for a 6X4 trailer load of freshly cut wood?

demanufactured

ireland.man wrote: »

So out of curiosity- how much would people pay here for a 6X4 trailer load of freshly cut wood?

I wouldnt pay anything for freshly cut wood, Id pay for seasoned wood though.

shane0007

ireland.man wrote: »

So out of curiosity- how much would people pay here for a 6X4 trailer load of freshly cut wood?

If seasoned, about €100 for hardwood & less for softwood. In a 6 x 4, it would have to be piled fairly high though.

godwin

ireland.man wrote: »

anyone burn green wood?

No , never. I have had an open fire for 20+ years and it's a waste of time burning fresh timber , it will never take flame and in some cases it will kill your fire. Take what timber you have stack it on a pallet to keep it off the dam wet ground and wait till next year , no need to cover it.

demanufactured wrote: »

I wouldnt pay anything for freshly cut wood, Id pay for seasoned wood though.

Commercial timber(leylandii,pine etc) €50 , Good timber(Beech,Ash) €75

Over the last year I have been buying forestry timber , €50 a square metre , but it needs to be cut and transported by me , but there is a hell of a lot of timber in a square metre

Billy Bunting

ireland.man wrote: »

So out of curiosity- how much would people pay here for a 6X4 trailer load of freshly cut wood?

A friend brings me a trailer load down from Belfast occasionally, £35/m3, fills a 6x4 trailer.

scudo2

shane0007 wrote: »

Would you believe there is actually a wood pellet manufacturer in this country that dries their wood to achieve the Argrement level of moisture content with oil boilers! You could only find it in Ireland!!!

Zero emmisions electric cars powered by fossil fuel !

doctorchopper

ireland.man wrote: »

Thanks for the tips. So stacked and in a good drying position but would there be a noticeable difference in two months say?

This'll teach me to ask questions before buying...

Did you split it first, it will dry faster than just cut into logs. I split mine into 1/4's then stack it. seems to dry the quickest that way

FT7

ireland.man wrote: »

So out of curiosity- how much would people pay here for a 6X4 trailer load of freshly cut wood?

we charge €75 per cubic meter delivered, for seasoned dry hard wood

FT7

doctorchopper wrote: »

Did you split it first, it will dry faster than just cut into logs. I split mine into 1/4's then stack it. seems to dry the quickest that way

yes it will dry faster , and also some wood splits easier when fresh

Andrew_Doran

Dtp1979 wrote: »

Do not burn damp timber. You'll destroy your chimney, and the heat output will be terrible. But most importantly it'll be terrible for the chimney

Not to mention annoying any neighbours you might have bigtime!

Dtp1979

Andrew_Doran wrote: »

Not to mention annoying any neighbours you might have bigtime!

How?

CrinkElite

godwin wrote: »

No , never. I have had an open fire for 20+ years and it's a waste of time burning fresh timber , it will never take flame and in some cases it will kill your fire. Take what timber you have stack it on a pallet to keep it off the dam wet ground and wait till next year , no need to cover it.




Commercial timber(leylandii,pine etc) €50 , Good timber(Beech,Ash) €75

Over the last year I have been buying forestry timber , €50 a square metre , but it needs to be cut and transported by me , but there is a hell of a lot of timber in a square metre

Could you cut that on site before you take it away?

How do you go about contacting the forestry.

The Coillte site says minimum load of 30m^3 Delivery only.
I'd never have the space for that amount.

freddyuk

"Bag" the pile with a sealed polythene envelope and install a dehumidifier running off a solar panel system. It'll work off the mains but not quite so "green".
Buy a moisture meter and when it gets to 10% you are good to go.