Timber - how long to dry before using in Stove

littlevillage

I have heard that some timber (Ash) can be burnt in a Stove without drying it at all ? its just got a very low water content naturally

Other timber Hardwoods (Oak etc.) need long time to dry.

But how long ? and how do you know when the timber is dry enough to burn ? is touch dry enough, or do you wait until you see those tiny cracks on the ends... which could take a year or two.

I am assuming that if the timber is soping wet its just taking too much energy out of the fire to actually dry it out first .. so its actually giving off no heat while its burning.

but can too much moisture in timber cause trouble for my chimney (I have the Aluminium chimney lining)


Anybody any knowledge ?

macjohn

littlevillage wrote: »

I have heard that some timber (Ash) can be burnt in a Stove without drying it at all ? its just got a very low water content naturally

Other timber Hardwoods (Oak etc.) need long time to dry.

But how long ? and how do you know when the timber is dry enough to burn ? is touch dry enough, or do you wait until you see those tiny cracks on the ends... which could take a year or two.

I am assuming that if the timber is soping wet its just taking too much energy out of the fire to actually dry it out first .. so its actually giving off no heat while its burning.

but can too much moisture in timber cause trouble for my chimney (I have the Aluminium chimney lining)


Anybody any knowledge ?

No, touch dry is not enough.
It needs to be "seasoned". Basically this means drying it with wind and sun to be air dried. So the timber is stacked where it has airflow but covered. (google seasoning timber and you will have a weekend of reading!)

It needs to get down to around 20%.
Yes, those little cracks, or you could pick up a moisture metre for around €15 ish. Big time difference in a year or two but yes depending on the species of wood could take up to two years. Softwood in a year or less.
People selling timber often use the word "seasoned" fairly loosely so you need to check and find good supplier before buying in bulk.

After spending big big money on stoves no point in putting crap fuel in it that is inefficient and can cause chimney problems.
People spending thousands on stoves and fitting and then using a wet bag of 5euro blocks surprise me, and even more when they shocked that not great heat from them! (as you say the blocks just sizzle as the water is boiling)

In modern efficient stoves you will notice a huge difference with firewood that is seasoned with the secondary burn from the gases where there will be nice swirling flames. In turn this is great heat.

Most of the timbermen say that even though ash has low water content it still over 30% (min) and thus needs to be seasoned.

elverstown

Hi,
I agree with Macjohn, somewhere I saw a graph showing energy released/water content in a gasifying boiler, (possibly Atmos ), output drops dramatically as moisture content goes up.
their are people selling kiln dried firewood, and I think their is an association promoting quality firewood.

Qualitymark

You could use a moisture meter http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-Wood-Moisture-Meter-Humidity-Tester-4-Pin-with-LCD-/190978964611

Seamus1964

Stocking and using wood for burning is a three year cycle - first year you stock them and let them dry - let them also dry over the second year too - use them on third year.
Using damp wood is more damaging for a chimney than moistened coal - it will build up extremely hard soot in your chimney that even chimney fire will not burn out..

littlevillage

Thanks for the advice guys,

Problem I have is that I have not been particularly diligent in cutting and drying timber over the last 1-2 years .. so I have pretty much none of my own at the moment. What I do have is a couple of Ash trees that I cut down in the last two weeks .. so I am letting that timber dry (as best I can) and hope to burn it when the whether gets really cold, maybe two months time or so.

I came across this URL also .. it rates the different types of timber and whether or not they need much drying.

http://www.stovesonline.co.uk/woodburning_chart.html

As you can see they claim you can burn Ash if its touch dry.

Steven81

Years ago we cut and burnt, last 2-3 years we cut around dec-jan time and stored in shed allowing air and sun to dry it out. There was a big difference and like what another user said it is better for the chimney. We have insert stoves so can control heat.

Would definitely dry for 6 months plus especially over a spring/ summer period and see for yourself