I'm 72 and have burned firewood all my life, evan my parents burned wood. This has got to be one of the Very Best presentations that I have ever seen on firewood and I'm pleased to say that I DO NOT make any of the 11 mistakes mentioned! I have gotten free firewood for as long as I can remember, from folks that just need trees cut and i cut them and take the wood. As mentioned, it is a lot of work and most people dont want to work that hard, but for those that do....the opportunities are endless. Thanks for the great video...finally I find someone who really understands firewood and what it takes to manage it! Thanks for this outstanding video!!
And from those mistakes we learned what we SHOULD do: 1. Cut the wood soon enough 2. Cut enough wood 3. For those that buy the wood: don't wait! Buy it early, often and buy extra! 4. Get your wood where you are going to need it 5. Split the wood 6. Split it smaller now! 7. Have a mixture of sizes 8. Stack your wood 9. Leave the wood uncovered during the spring and summer 10. Don't be lazy, it takes time, it's a process, be organized :)
Chris, I just clicked on this video and just again noticed, as I often do, that you respectfully always keep your intro brief and you get right to your video. A pet peeve of mine is often creators submit content with a long repetitive intro that often has me wanting to fast forward through. I understand and can appreciate them wanting to promote their brand but often it is just too much. I like how you get to the point of your video. Thank you
Thanks, I am the same way! What I HATE most is a tile that has nothing to do with the video and a long scenic start with music and girls/wives in yoga pants and tight shirts prancing around the machinery or a story about their kids dance recital for many minutes before any form or relative stuff! But maybe I am the strange one!
@@InTheWoodyard - There’s a fishing channel that cooks all their catches. The guy has his wife on there prancing and cooking in a cut off shirt way too small. The side boob is glorious. But gratuitous and obviously for clicks. At 30 she’s a dime. When gravity hits it’ll be 50 shades of gross.
Let me inform you sir. I am 70 years old, and I was raised in a stone farmhouse built in 1836. We heated exclusively with firewood from the 1950's to the 1990's. Burning it in a coal furnace. We always cut wood in the winter my dad said it was easier to split when the sap was down. We used a double blade ax and a sledge and wedges. we cut living trees and dead trees. We started the fire with dry or dead wood and once it was going good, we threw in the green living trees wood because dad said that green wood lasted longer. I don't know if it was luck or what, but the chimney was never cleaned, and we never had a chimney fire. We burned Ash, Wild Cheery, Elm, and Locust. Did he know what he was doing I do not know but we were sure as hell warm. Hell, we often had to open the door because the house was hot.
Having cut firewood for the last 40 years I learned all you mentioned in your video the hard way. I'm afraid that at 77 there is a point where I won't be able to cut or heat with firewood. Cutting and splitting firewood does keep me busy and I find it keeps me fit. Thank you for your videos.
#meto! I've been heating with wood for thirty years now. For twenty of those years I cut all my own wood. For ten of those years I managed tree cutting and firewood prep for a wealthy landowner friend. Last ten years, I retired and moved to a gorgeous place but where I don't own or manage any woodlands, I get it delivered in the spring and then stack, dry and tarp it. But I'm 75 and have serious arthritis in my hands, in part from picking up and carrying heavy wood with my fingers and thumbs. The woodstove next to my writing/eating/everything table is one of my joys, both the heat and the feeding of the stove. I'm going to miss it when I can't do it any more.
I hope you can keep burning many more, I'm near you, age is a mean girl, but I keep pushing, just move slowly, stack some each day, in one hour I can stack 3 days heat in an hour, it all adds up
Me and dad cut firewood every year. Have for 11 years now. And you have one heck of an operation going. Our property has a lot of standing dead, have since we started. Over the years we have to cut more and more down for “next year” or even “two years out”. Kindling is highly under appreciated. You can have all the wood in the world. You gotta have kindling or you’re done.
Jason m. I have 4 Acres of Woods and My dead limbs that I Clean up, Small Branches I use for my Kindling. That is really a All Year Chore and I’ll bundle them up so i have them come Winter. It is Free and Great to Start my Woodburner. Kindling is Very Important.
I'm a "wee wummin" in Scotland and still learning about all things to do with multi-fuel stoves since we had ours installed, with very little experience of them growing up. I have used a fire with peat and coal, but that was it until a few years ago. We are not organised at all with our wood etc, and this is some brilliant advice. What I've taken from this is that we, in our rainy climate, with very little very cold, snowy/icy weather, don't actually have to build wood stores and can put pallets along the back of our house, stack and probably not even have to cover. This will give it a chance to dry under the eaves away from the driving rain, which tends to come from the other side. Now I just have to clear some space, perhaps put some weed membrane down and start the process. Our stove is more of an "emergency" prep, but I think we'll need it more and more in the next few years, thanks to the insanity which has been brewing via the World Economic Forum.
I especially enjoyed the shout out to crotch wood. If I didn't have a hydraulic splitter I might not do it, but I have many times taken these so-called "dregs" when trees were divvied up, because I had the means to deal with them. I sometimes refer to the trunk, mostly knot-free, and easy to split by hand, as the "tenderloin" of the tree, but it is more often the crotch wood that goes in our stove at bedtime.
Ha ha ha! Moving from warm Oklahoma to very cold Ohio 30 years ago, I had to learn all about cutting and heating from wood. I made ALL of these ten mistakes early on. But I learned. Great video. (PS - I never made the bonus mistake. I use all the limb wood.)
Fantastic video. Every day is a school day. I am 63 years old and run a wood stove all winter here in the UK. I never tire of learning off people like you. Never assume you know it all. Sharing information on RUclips is a fantastic thing to do.
I collected saw chippings, mixed with old ingredients (PVA glue, flour, sugar & water). Put the mix in used non recyclable coffee cups, egg cartons, small boxes. Pressed to compact & remove some water, then left under cover but open to dry. Time-consuming & and messy, but why waste material if it's a sunny day.
Everything you said is 100% true. Lazy should be number one on the list. People always give me a bunch of crap for cutting wood in the spring and summer and then they flip out when I tell them this wood is not going to be burned this year. Hunting season it cracks me up to see pickup trucks up and down the road with wood. knowing they plan on burning it weeks later. Great channel new subscriber!
Thanks a bunch Mr. Stacker, there are 400+ videos on my channel you need to get caught up on and a new one every morning at 5:30 am! Thanks again, now get busy watching!
I used pallets to stack all my firewood on and when I cut logs to bring in I take the bobcat and stack logs on pallets to keep them clean so when there cut into rounds the chain will stay sharp longer. Have a great day be safe.
Great info. After cutting my own firewood for over 30 years here in Wisconsin, I see that I have been following everyone of your tips to the letter, maybe not so much in the beginning of cutting firewood, but the last 15-20 years, and everyone of those tips are sound advice.👍
Big thanks to you Chris for this and many other great videos on your channel. I'm a woodstove owner for over 10 years now, and since 7 years I added as a hobby processing of wood from tree to firewood. I love how preparing the wood frees up the mind, as well as the heat when burning it. But one can always learn some more about this topic so you have got yourself a new subscriber. Keep making these great vids! Greetings from the Netherlands
Thanks so much for watching Kevin, I have over 1200 videos on the channel for you to watch and a new one every morning...see you here at 5:30 am tomorrow!
I've burned wood for more than 40 years and love the work and the reward...that wonderful heat inside my house on a cold winter day. This video is full of great advice for everyone who burns wood for heat.
Great info Chris. I harvest and burn mostly Ash from my own property and I started a small roadside stand a few years ago. Your tips and observations are very helpful. Keep up the great work.
Just discovered your video. Terrific stuff. Been burning wood for nearly 50 years. Nothing heats like it. Learned all your tips the hard way! I cut/split wood for 2 years out. Now the grandson's help split and stack each summer. Great for life experiences and work ethic. I stack on concrete pad by my barn. Getting difficult to get decent pallets for free so I use 2" branches cut to length as the base. Doesn't dry quite as well, but close and the branches are there for smaller "spring fires." It all burns! Designing a plan for proper woodlot management is critical...and fun! Looking forward to watching more of your work.
Those old farmers knew a thing or two about ear corn. Cribs were always off the ground; siding was slats; roof covered and plenty of air flow; usually long and narrow. And built so that you could park machinery inside. Dad was still doing ear corn into the early 1980's. Very similar to firewood processing.
Havnt had a wood stove since the early 90's but am planning on getting a stove installed so, good points to ponder. Lot of great information. Good to know ive got to get my wood ready a year before.
Spot on. We’ve been burning with wood for about 20 years. You learn fast that if you don’t cut it, don’t split it then you don’t have it to burn lol and it’s always a grind. Trying to stay ahead of the game! I’ve had a couple of late seasons, where small limbs and branches saved us from turning on the heat. Great video, Chris.
Great video. I’ve been heating with wood for over 10yrs and had to learn all these techniques as I went along. The first year I ran out of wood and had to buy a cord or two. I built a large wood shed 10x10x8high the following year and filled it. I built another shed the following year 4x8x6high and another the same size the next. This gave me a great gauge on how much wood I burn per season and I empty one shed and start filling it moving on to the next to keep my wood seasoned!! Happy burning 🔥
Such a great tip for getting the wood off the ground. That is such a big deal to get it up and off the ground. I do both stack some for quick sales and I pile most of the other wood up on pallets. The trick to piles is go tall as you can it will act like a roof and shed the rain off it. In the winter I cover to keep it from freezing solid from the snow. This is just what I do and it works for me. I know your way works, personal preference in the end. Good pointers all around😊
Really good info! Cut my own, and use these methods. Instead of pallets I have lots of cedar trees that I split into strakes and use to keep my wood off the ground. Thx!
We're in Australia and I've been heating with firewood for 35 years. I completely agree with your tips. Although we don't get snow where we are so the only time our wood is covered is just before it's about to be burnt. Some tips I knew subconsciously but listening to your explanations has made me more aware. I've also started checking moisture content before burning. Less than 15% is best, lower if possible. It's rare, but sometimes I've had termites eating wood stacked on the ground. Another reason to get it up or at least insulated from the ground.
Good morning Chris,another good video with a wealth of information, liked when talking about limb wood, move camera, “ like that, yes there’s a tree up there “. Nice way to start the day , coffee with Chris , thank you
Great points Chris. I have collected my firewood for free for the last 15 years--I appreciate the last tip. If given the opportunity I use all parts of the tree for wood burning. It is so amazing how many people give away branches that they have taken the time to cut and stack.
We've been heating our house (on and off) with a Riteway wood/coal heater for the last 38 years and everything he says is spot on. Great video. It's early December, 2022, and we've already used about 1.5 face chords. Cheers from N.E. Ohio.
Just as an FYI, in Ohio, it is illegal to use face cord as a unit of measure in commerce. Only cords or tons are legal, with an exception for bundled wood.
loved this video. great advice. i burn about 2.5-3 cord a season here in southern maryland. probably been burning for 25 years or so. some i buy, some i process. i only have 3 acres and have some monster poplar which burn great for shoulder seasons. i love your comment "it all burns" because as long as its dry, it does. if its free, its for me. This year we took down an old maple in the back yard that was starting to drop some of its limbs. we found a couple of spots with black ants and decay so it was a good thing. we cut and kept a lot of the limb wood and probably disposed of the 1" stuff in a brush pile over back. your comment about crotches made me chuckle because that is some of the hardest to split part of the pile. makes my old 27 ton craftsman moan and groan.....lol. absolutely look forward to watching many more/past episodes as i'm new to your channel.
Great content, learned most of that from burning to heat my home but it's always good to hear from a pro that thinks the same. Just one tip I can add, when I'm buying wood some people advertise dead trees as "seasoned wood" simply because it's not flowing sap. I find it will burn but has low heat, smokes because it's wet or starting to rot and just not worth the trouble. If you're unsure of the dryness of any wood get a moisture meter, cut the piece in 2 and measure moisture content at the cut, I try to get around 17% or a little lower.
Thanks Chris...pragmatic advice for the newbies...and unfortunately some not so newbies! Another important point that might not be seen as relevant to the subject is insulation of your home...I live in a cold climate in a log home I built. I put a lot of insulation in the walls and loft and am very surprised how little firewood I burn nowadays. I have felled, bucked and split my own firewood for about 40 years. Take care, Chris, BC, Canada.
Appreciate the knowledge guy! In the spirit of sharing information, here's a tip for anyone reading: I've learned that wrapping wood or covering the sides is a horrible idea! I had a full cord of box elder split and stacked but I was gonna stay out of state for the winter right? Brilliant me thinks "the more it's covered, the better". I cover the top and then I wrapped the sides in that same white plastic in the video. Well, half of it started to rot! If the sides are covered, any moisture that does get in will stay in! Only cover the top!
I got a cpl rolls of plastic sheeting (6 mil) i think & i was gonna double it up and cover the tops of the stacks like you mentioned earlier, and also some pole barn tin. I notice Kenny had quite a bit of barn tin to cover his stacks. Great content my friend! Ill be back tomorrow and you should too. GNI
I fined that dealing with cutting, splitting and care of my firewood is the most satisfying thing I ever do. That’s not to mention the great feeling I have when my kids come to get a load. It’s perfect for getting your mind off of things and you get some exercise. Can’t wait to teach my two little grand dudes how to work a splitter.
Dropping your trees in winter, when all the leaves are well gone, means there's lots less water inside the trunk itself. Green leaves on the branches means gallons of extra water inside the trunk (as well as a hassle to deal with on the ground). Wait until the tree looks dead and save yourself a year or two drying.
Great tips. I live on a narrowboat in the UK. We can legally forage deadwood from the towpath and the Canal and River Trust (the body that manages the canals) also regularly takes out problem trees and leaves the cut wood for boaters to use. This year was the first I have foraged enough wood to get through next winter without resorting to coal. The entire roof of the boat is covered with split wood that has been baking under raised solar panels all year (the best woodpile covering you can get 😃) and I have a bunch more in a pile at my sister's house, stacked exactly as you suggest here.
First timer here - good presentation, good advice. Thank you! I think I would have passed your exam, especially with keeping wood up off the ground, but it has been a learning process. I've been heating entirely with wood for 40 years, in the California foothills. Finally bought a good quality wood stove (Jotul 602) which is making me enjoy wood heat even more. For my wood piles, I use old scavenged lumber, 2x6 and 2x4, usually 9 or 10 feet long, supported on broken concrete pavers, so I have good clearance off the ground. The concrete pavers are about 2" thick, and I get them at the local lumberyard - these are broken pieces they can't sell, and otherwise have to be hauled away, so it's a win-win. I put effort into getting the base mostly level on the uneven ground. I then drive T-posts at the ends of the rows to support the piles. Mostly I do crown the rows for drainage but I could do better on that. I use black 4 mil plastic for covers. I usually scatter scraps of old carpet on top of the piles to minimize ripping the plastic on the sharp edges of the split wood. In early fall, I move a winter's worth of wood -about 2 full cords of black oak and incense cedar (kindling) to a lean-to style woodshed close to the house. Tarps with grommets hang from the shed "ceiling" to keep windblown rain or snow off the fuel. There's usually two years worth of wood under the black poly, ready for the following winters. To hold down the plastic, I use the concrete, but lately converting to old tire chains which drape nicely over a tall pile of firewood, keeping the sides of the tarps down. Living on nearly 4 acres of ponderosa pine and incense cedar forest, I have an endless supply of kindling: fallen cedar branches are the best. I cut those to short lengths with an old Ryobi powered miter saw, a big handful of sticks for each cut. These are neatly placed in old milk crates and plastic recycle bins, and protected from winter rains. Inevitably, I wind up with a significant amount of odd shaped small pieces that don't stack well. So as to not waste those, I fashioned a "cage" from welded wire fencing which sits on a pallet. All those pieces go in there, and dry out over the hot summer. Then I load them into recycle bins and use them up early in the season. Lucky for me, I can load wood into a small 2-wheeled garden cart and roll it into the house and right up to the small wood rack I have close to the stove. So keeping wood indoors isn't the back-breaking job it might otherwise be.
AWESOME! It sounds like you have a great system! I would love to show the folks here what it looks like. Can you email me some pictures of all your processes or set up ? I can keep you anonymous also if you want! chrisinthewoodyard@gmail.com Thanks!
Use the tarp covers that full bunks of lumber from the mills get wrapped in. Those work well. Youve seen a truck load of 2x4”s on the back of a semi going down the road… each stack is covered up. Hardware stores toss em. Go get some😊
I put the bark up always that way the wood always has a roof over its head when rain comes in from the side. and my wood is @ 2 years old so it is dry.
Hey buddy! Great video. I am in southeast Kentucky and I cure my wood at a minimum of two years. Your spot on with your info and I appreciate guys like you educating the future wood burners. Well done buddy.
Thank you for sharing with us your wealth of knowledge based on real world experience. As one who is hoping to inceasingly sell firewood for supplemental retirement income, you provide valuable wisdom to keep me "out of the woodshed" with potentially unhappy customers. 8^)
I’ve Had a small wood stove in my single-wide for 20 years. It is the life of my happiness here, comforting and meditative. All of your tips ring true to me. It’s my way to start each day, splitting and stacking wood. There are a lot of trees needing to be cut up, Alder and Fir, And as you said, the branches are great. They love to get going because there are a lot of spaces between them. I’ve learned to use cardboard from boxes. At my food co-op they are anxious to get rid of them (let them be out in the damp air here in Oregon and they become easy to tear up). Dry the pieces inside. This adds moisture to the air just like my laundry hung around the chimney. As a kid it was my duty to bring in the wood for a kitchen stove. I found you gave tips I thoroughly agree with.
I live in northern Wisconsin. I'm 70 years old and have been burning wood most of my life. I agree with everything you have said. Thank you for educating the inexperienced.
Thanks for sharing. The biggest mistake that I've seen with firewood is that people make a make a complicated science out of something that is very simple. Splitting & stacking & drying techniques etc.(The old timers are the worst) The only science to firewood is that you stack it, and give it plenty of time to dry. Manage the woodshed so you're burning the oldest wood. If they fit them my stove, I don't split them down, less work and longer burn times. I love the big round pieces. I pride myself on taking as much work out the process as I can. Fire starter sticks and a small propane torch will take all the time and work out of starting fires. After watching fire starting videos, I want to make a video called "Starting a fire in 30 seconds"
Nice video. I'm always sorting into 4 groups when I'm cutting, stacking and bringing into the house. These are by size and wood species; starting fires i use small pine, high heating to warm up the house is plumb or oak or red cedar, low heating for afternoons pine, and overnight big oak rounds or stumps.
My first year using wood to supplement heating. I had 5 60’ white oak removed and asked them to cut it up into 16-18” pieces so I could use a log splitter to cut it. The branches were ground into mulch (although like you mentioned I would have preferred to use it in the wood stove but they were ‘lazy?’). I ended up with smaller cut pieces from the rounds because I knew it would dry quicker if not too thick. Anything I could not stack (misshapen, crotch and knots) I did leave in small piles on sandy ground with full day sun and will use them for either supplemental or when small enough kindling. I moved and flipped these pieces to dry quicker and I don’t think I will be disappointed. I ended up with around 3 cords ( all stacked off the ground in varying areas of sun and wind. 4 of the 6 are covered with a tarp just on top with a little overhang to keep rain out.) Sometimes I uncover them when no rain is forecast but lately they stay covered because I don’t want them seasoning too quickly. I plan to use the 2 uncovered and the weird shaped ones first but again I’m not solely dependent on wood heat. I think for a newbie I should be fine. I have loved the whole process but I don’t want to make it a career 🤭🤣. Thanks for your helpful advice and especially the confirmation that I’m not a total idiot 🤭🤦♀️. Peace be with your brother!
Thanks man! I recently moved into my sister's mountain home and have been getting her ready for Winter. We're stocking up for the boiler and I'm looking to make her effort more efficient. I really appreciate your input!
Many years ago, I split all my wood by hand. I got into the habit of stacking the wood outdoors as rounds for 2 years before splitting, as that made the splitting easier. I split in March and April each year and stack the splits under an overhang where it is exposed to wind and some sun but is protected from rain. I still do it this way now that I have a hydraulic splitter, as at least the rounds lose some weight, making it easier to get onto the splitter. Moisture content ends up less than 10% even though my state, Ohio, is not very dry. I burn 6 cords/year. i use a 20 ton electric splitter, so I must bring the wood to the splitter. But I ike the low noise, low heat and no fumes from the electric model, as well as lower maintenance.
i been heating with wood for 42 years. good advice. one thing i like to do is use a wet wood in spring and fall when you dont need the high btu's. lasts longer to, yeah it makes a bit more creostote but thats what i do. i never put wet wood in during the winter. Works for me although i have wood backed up for 5 years.
My dad used to cut, load, haul, unload, split, stack then load up again and go sell for years. And being this was back in the 80's & 90's we being his son's worked right beside him. Not like these kids today. I just wanted to say to folks who are watching this that this man knows exactly what he is talking about. Very thorough in his explanation...
I cut for 3 years in advance. I'm in the great southwest but at 8000', it gets cold here. I'm off grid, by choice, so wood is my only heat. At 62 I'm not getting any younger and one day I won't be able to cut my own firewood. That said I need to keep a surplus on hand. I rarely burn more than 3 cords and most often much less.
Sound like you did it right! off grid and wood heat!! My dad was always 5-7 years ahead on wood until he turned 75 then just had a couple years ahead and said each year for 5 years that he was done cutting. Now at 84 he is done burning too, he likes to turn up the thermostat!!
#11. Don't use too much at once. If you put in more wood than you can control you will over fire your stove, and it won't last as long. Metal will start to liquify at 800 deg. You won't see it warp until it is too late.
Yes Sir...I enjoyed this presentation. Since I have been felling, limbing, bucking, loading, transporting, unloading, splitting, stacking my own wood (as well as extra for others through the years)..... I have a great appreciation for those this knowledgeable who share that knowledge! Thanks!
Number 12 (In my opinion): wood that is cut to whatever length and sold as part of a face cord. The trend in my area is wood that is cut from 8 to 12 inches or even 20 inches or more. I like to see everything 16 +/- 1.5 inches.
A guy I know, always tosses bark that falls off his wood; he doesn't like it...? I find, that bark burns just as well as the wood - even makes great coals. I have maple trees, that constantly drop small branches. I pile those branches, and after a summer of drying - they make great kindling!
Nice tips but you didn't mention a good time to cut wood is in the winter, not hot and the moisture content of the wood is lower to start with than warmer times.
Lol, you're the freaking man! I run a landscaping company -- But, firewood is my passion. For my home -- for my parents, friends & tons of customers. It became an all winter job setting up for the next year -- & we work on it throughout the year on slower weeks. Clients we sell to, often don't understand most of the things you mentioned.....I have to refer them to your great videos, and verbatim explain all the "tips & tricks" you mention. I have my guys split down to "fist" diameter, so it will dry in time for anyone who needs it within a year or less. If you split bigger, it takes so much longer to dry. Thanks for all you do!!
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I'm 72 and have burned firewood all my life, evan my parents burned wood. This has got to be one of the Very Best presentations that I have ever seen on firewood and I'm pleased to say that I DO NOT make any of the 11 mistakes mentioned! I have gotten free firewood for as long as I can remember, from folks that just need trees cut and i cut them and take the wood. As mentioned, it is a lot of work and most people dont want to work that hard, but for those that do....the opportunities are endless. Thanks for the great video...finally I find someone who really understands firewood and what it takes to manage it! Thanks for this outstanding video!!
Thanks so much for watchin, there are 1200 videos on my channel all about firewood and a new one every morning!
And from those mistakes we learned what we SHOULD do:
1. Cut the wood soon enough
2. Cut enough wood
3. For those that buy the wood: don't wait! Buy it early, often and buy extra!
4. Get your wood where you are going to need it
5. Split the wood
6. Split it smaller now!
7. Have a mixture of sizes
8. Stack your wood
9. Leave the wood uncovered during the spring and summer
10. Don't be lazy, it takes time, it's a process, be organized :)
thanks!
Chris, I just clicked on this video and just again noticed, as I often do, that you respectfully always keep your intro brief and you get right to your video. A pet peeve of mine is often creators submit content with a long repetitive intro that often has me wanting to fast forward through. I understand and can appreciate them wanting to promote their brand but often it is just too much. I like how you get to the point of your video. Thank you
Thanks, I am the same way! What I HATE most is a tile that has nothing to do with the video and a long scenic start with music and girls/wives in yoga pants and tight shirts prancing around the machinery or a story about their kids dance recital for many minutes before any form or relative stuff! But maybe I am the strange one!
A mem
Great point, Dale.
@@InTheWoodyard - There’s a fishing channel that cooks all their catches. The guy has his wife on there prancing and cooking in a cut off shirt way too small. The side boob is glorious. But gratuitous and obviously for clicks. At 30 she’s a dime. When gravity hits it’ll be 50 shades of gross.
Yep. The intros with dramatic background music while walking down a trail then completely servicing the machine cracks me up.
Let me inform you sir. I am 70 years old, and I was raised in a stone farmhouse built in 1836. We heated exclusively with firewood from the 1950's to the 1990's. Burning it in a coal furnace. We always cut wood in the winter my dad said it was easier to split when the sap was down. We used a double blade ax and a sledge and wedges. we cut living trees and dead trees. We started the fire with dry or dead wood and once it was going good, we threw in the green living trees wood because dad said that green wood lasted longer. I don't know if it was luck or what, but the chimney was never cleaned, and we never had a chimney fire. We burned Ash, Wild Cheery, Elm, and Locust. Did he know what he was doing I do not know but we were sure as hell warm. Hell, we often had to open the door because the house was hot.
Sounds nice!
Agree! Seen that. Once fire is hot it will burn the green wood perfectly and yes it helps it last longer which is really important. Both have uses.
Having cut firewood for the last 40 years I learned all you mentioned in your video the hard way. I'm afraid that at 77 there is a point where I won't be able to cut or heat with firewood. Cutting and splitting firewood does keep me busy and I find it keeps me fit. Thank you for your videos.
That is awesome! Thanks for watching!
#meto! I've been heating with wood for thirty years now. For twenty of those years I cut all my own wood. For ten of those years I managed tree cutting and firewood prep for a wealthy landowner friend. Last ten years, I retired and moved to a gorgeous place but where I don't own or manage any woodlands, I get it delivered in the spring and then stack, dry and tarp it. But I'm 75 and have serious arthritis in my hands, in part from picking up and carrying heavy wood with my fingers and thumbs. The woodstove next to my writing/eating/everything table is one of my joys, both the heat and the feeding of the stove. I'm going to miss it when I can't do it any more.
I hope you can keep burning many more, I'm near you, age is a mean girl, but I keep pushing, just move slowly, stack some each day, in one hour I can stack 3 days heat in an hour, it all adds up
God bless u I’m 63 with health Probs know I’ll b there 1 day
Good video. I have burning wood for 40 yrs. Cut early and cut often. Good honest work that is definitely rewarding in more than one way.
Well said! Thanks!
Me and dad cut firewood every year. Have for 11 years now. And you have one heck of an operation going. Our property has a lot of standing dead, have since we started. Over the years we have to cut more and more down for “next year” or even “two years out”. Kindling is highly under appreciated. You can have all the wood in the world. You gotta have kindling or you’re done.
Yup, kindling is very nice to have!
Jason m. I have 4 Acres of Woods and My dead limbs that I Clean up, Small Branches I use for my Kindling. That is really a All Year Chore and I’ll bundle them up so i have them come Winter. It is Free and Great to Start my Woodburner. Kindling is Very Important.
I'm a "wee wummin" in Scotland and still learning about all things to do with multi-fuel stoves since we had ours installed, with very little experience of them growing up. I have used a fire with peat and coal, but that was it until a few years ago. We are not organised at all with our wood etc, and this is some brilliant advice. What I've taken from this is that we, in our rainy climate, with very little very cold, snowy/icy weather, don't actually have to build wood stores and can put pallets along the back of our house, stack and probably not even have to cover. This will give it a chance to dry under the eaves away from the driving rain, which tends to come from the other side. Now I just have to clear some space, perhaps put some weed membrane down and start the process. Our stove is more of an "emergency" prep, but I think we'll need it more and more in the next few years, thanks to the insanity which has been brewing via the World Economic Forum.
Good luck with your new stove! Thanks for watching from across the pond!
I especially enjoyed the shout out to crotch wood. If I didn't have a hydraulic splitter I might not do it, but I have many times taken these so-called "dregs" when trees were divvied up, because I had the means to deal with them. I sometimes refer to the trunk, mostly knot-free, and easy to split by hand, as the "tenderloin" of the tree, but it is more often the crotch wood that goes in our stove at bedtime.
Yup, "the crotch is where the heat is!!!"
Ha ha ha! Moving from warm Oklahoma to very cold Ohio 30 years ago, I had to learn all about cutting and heating from wood. I made ALL of these ten mistakes early on. But I learned. Great video. (PS - I never made the bonus mistake. I use all the limb wood.)
Very cool!
Fantastic video. Every day is a school day. I am 63 years old and run a wood stove all winter here in the UK. I never tire of learning off people like you. Never assume you know it all. Sharing information on RUclips is a fantastic thing to do.
Yes, I too learn a lot from the people who watch and comment on my channel!
I collected saw chippings, mixed with old ingredients (PVA glue, flour, sugar & water). Put the mix in used non recyclable coffee cups, egg cartons, small boxes. Pressed to compact & remove some water, then left under cover but open to dry.
Time-consuming & and messy, but why waste material if it's a sunny day.
Everything you said is 100% true. Lazy should be number one on the list. People always give me a bunch of crap for cutting wood in the spring and summer and then they flip out when I tell them this wood is not going to be burned this year. Hunting season it cracks me up to see pickup trucks up and down the road with wood. knowing they plan on burning it weeks later. Great channel new subscriber!
Thanks a bunch Mr. Stacker, there are 400+ videos on my channel you need to get caught up on and a new one every morning at 5:30 am! Thanks again, now get busy watching!
I used pallets to stack all my firewood on and when I cut logs to bring in I take the bobcat and stack logs on pallets to keep them clean so when there cut into rounds the chain will stay sharp longer. Have a great day be safe.
Good idea Arthur! I like it!
Great info. After cutting my own firewood for over 30 years here in Wisconsin, I see that I have been following everyone of your tips to the letter, maybe not so much in the beginning of cutting firewood, but the last 15-20 years, and everyone of those tips are sound advice.👍
Thanks a bunch for watching!
Man!?
You be doing it wrong for 15years bro???
Take all the wood,cut,split and stack all the wood. Then sell all the wood!! Good stuff Chris!
Yup, that's it!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with wood drying, I'm 70yrs old and still learning new stuff 😊
Yup, I am still learning too!
Last couple videos have been exceptional. Thank you Chris !! Still have lots to learn
Thanks a bunch for watching!
Another nice one Chris. Informative, entertaining, all delivered with your inimitable humour. 👍🏻
Glad you enjoyed it, I try hard to be inimitable !
Thanks from Portland Oregon on your tips! 🪓🪓🪓
Thanks for watching!
thanks Chris, Im John from north east texas learning firewood and splitting wood your videos are very helpful as a new person into splitting fire wood
Hello John! Thanks for watching!!
Big thanks to you Chris for this and many other great videos on your channel. I'm a woodstove owner for over 10 years now, and since 7 years I added as a hobby processing of wood from tree to firewood. I love how preparing the wood frees up the mind, as well as the heat when burning it. But one can always learn some more about this topic so you have got yourself a new subscriber. Keep making these great vids! Greetings from the Netherlands
Thanks so much for watching Kevin, I have over 1200 videos on the channel for you to watch and a new one every morning...see you here at 5:30 am tomorrow!
Excellent...this guy knows his stuff and he's straight up about it all.Great channel.
Thanks for the kind words Richard!
Love this! I love finding someone informative and sensible!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks Chris for taking the time to do this. Some very useful tips there and interesting.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I think you have earned a PhD in firewood!!! Great advice!!!
I wish! I just like making and learning about it myself so I figure I can share what I know with others. Thanks for watching!
Great tips to prevent similar mistakes, thanks Chris! -Brad
Thanks Brad!
Brilliant video, can totally relate to much of your advice.
Thankyou from the U.K🇬🇧
Thanks Stuart!
I've burned wood for more than 40 years and love the work and the reward...that wonderful heat inside my house on a cold winter day. This video is full of great advice for everyone who burns wood for heat.
Thanks!
I don't recall ever making a mistake... but totally agree with everything you said. Good info.
HA! That is a good one, the no mistake trick! Thanks for watching Harvey!
Great info Chris. I harvest and burn mostly Ash from my own property and I started a small roadside stand a few years ago. Your tips and observations are very helpful. Keep up the great work.
Good stuff! Thanks for watching Phil!
Morning Chris. Hopefully people understand how much work you put into your Firewood business.
Great explanation for the newcomers👍
Thanks AL!
Thank you for taking the time and sharing your knowledge. Very helpful🙂🪵
Glad it was helpful!
Just discovered your video. Terrific stuff. Been burning wood for nearly 50 years. Nothing heats like it. Learned all your tips the hard way! I cut/split wood for 2 years out. Now the grandson's help split and stack each summer. Great for life experiences and work ethic. I stack on concrete pad by my barn. Getting difficult to get decent pallets for free so I use 2" branches cut to length as the base. Doesn't dry quite as well, but close and the branches are there for smaller "spring fires." It all burns! Designing a plan for proper woodlot management is critical...and fun! Looking forward to watching more of your work.
Thanks Scott, there is over 900 videos on my channel waiting for you to watch!
Wow. A long video but pure gold. This is really worth watching!
Glad you enjoyed it!
bravo awesome video. Just started firewood business and this was on point.
Fantastic! Keep cuttin'!
Thank you for helping me learn about firewood, buying stacking splitting costs and different way’s people refer to cords ect. Great videos 🙏🏻👍🤗😁
Glad to help Mel!
Those old farmers knew a thing or two about ear corn. Cribs were always off the ground; siding was slats; roof covered and plenty of air flow; usually long and narrow. And built so that you could park machinery inside. Dad was still doing ear corn into the early 1980's. Very similar to firewood processing.
Robert, you are exactly correct!
That’s what I use for firewood now. The old corn crib. 4’ wide by 60’ long x2. I stack as high as I can then throw on top until it’s 10-12’ high.
Just bought a house with several fireplaces. This video was incredibly valuable. Thank you for sharing your expertise!
Glad it was helpful! Now get cuttin'!
Patrick, (words of advice) if yer new house has "traditional" fireplaces, get yerself a quality airtight insert, youll never look back!
Havnt had a wood stove since the early 90's but am planning on getting a stove installed so, good points to ponder. Lot of great information. Good to know ive got to get my wood ready a year before.
Go for it! Nothing like wood heat!
Do not wait! Go find that stove and stove parts.
Good point about keeping a crown on top of your woodpile. Goodnight Irene.
Thanks Brian!
Spot on. We’ve been burning with wood for about 20 years. You learn fast that if you don’t cut it, don’t split it then you don’t have it to burn lol and it’s always a grind. Trying to stay ahead of the game! I’ve had a couple of late seasons, where small limbs and branches saved us from turning on the heat. Great video, Chris.
Great point!
Warm yourself 2 or 3 times..
Great video. I’ve been heating with wood for over 10yrs and had to learn all these techniques as I went along. The first year I ran out of wood and had to buy a cord or two. I built a large wood shed 10x10x8high the following year and filled it. I built another shed the following year 4x8x6high and another the same size the next. This gave me a great gauge on how much wood I burn per season and I empty one shed and start filling it moving on to the next to keep my wood seasoned!! Happy burning 🔥
Great job! Keep cuttin'!
Chris thanks for the helpful counsel on mistakes to avoid. Stuff happens, but seasoned 🪵 doesn’t! It’s no accident, it’s hard work and keeping at it.
Yes it is just a lot of time and work!
Thanks Chris, good info there, had to laugh at the "lazy" tip that's so true, enjoy these chat/info videos.
Glad you enjoyed it Peter!
Such a great tip for getting the wood off the ground. That is such a big deal to get it up and off the ground. I do both stack some for quick sales and I pile most of the other wood up on pallets. The trick to piles is go tall as you can it will act like a roof and shed the rain off it. In the winter I cover to keep it from freezing solid from the snow. This is just what I do and it works for me. I know your way works, personal preference in the end. Good pointers all around😊
I too, do some tall stacks when space is at a premium and for the best drying up is better!
Really good info! Cut my own, and use these methods. Instead of pallets I have lots of cedar trees that I split into strakes and use to keep my wood off the ground. Thx!
Great idea!
We're in Australia and I've been heating with firewood for 35 years. I completely agree with your tips. Although we don't get snow where we are so the only time our wood is covered is just before it's about to be burnt. Some tips I knew subconsciously but listening to your explanations has made me more aware. I've also started checking moisture content before burning. Less than 15% is best, lower if possible. It's rare, but sometimes I've had termites eating wood stacked on the ground. Another reason to get it up or at least insulated from the ground.
Thanks so much for watching!!
Good morning Chris,another good video with a wealth of information, liked when talking about limb wood, move camera, “ like that, yes there’s a tree up there “. Nice way to start the day , coffee with Chris , thank you
Thanks Mike! I am glad someone was paying attention!
Chris, I have been watching your videos for a month and I absolutely love them. Keep up the great work! I hope to get back into firewood this year.
Awesome! Thank you!
Great points Chris. I have collected my firewood for free for the last 15 years--I appreciate the last tip. If given the opportunity I use all parts of the tree for wood burning. It is so amazing how many people give away branches that they have taken the time to cut and stack.
Yup, it al burns!
I have a pile that I threw all the scraggy, twisted, crotchy limb wood in.....its so hard to "stack"...but it burns great!
Excellent video! I appreciate the knowledge that you're sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent coverage. Thank you sir.
Thanks for watching Michael!
We've been heating our house (on and off) with a Riteway wood/coal heater for the last 38 years and everything he says is spot on. Great video. It's early December, 2022, and we've already used about 1.5 face chords. Cheers from N.E. Ohio.
Thanks for watching Lindsay!
Just as an FYI, in Ohio, it is illegal to use face cord as a unit of measure in commerce. Only cords or tons are legal, with an exception for bundled wood.
loved this video. great advice. i burn about 2.5-3 cord a season here in southern maryland. probably been burning for 25 years or so. some i buy, some i process. i only have 3 acres and have some monster poplar which burn great for shoulder seasons. i love your comment "it all burns" because as long as its dry, it does. if its free, its for me.
This year we took down an old maple in the back yard that was starting to drop some of its limbs. we found a couple of spots with black ants and decay so it was a good thing. we cut and kept a lot of the limb wood and probably disposed of the 1" stuff in a brush pile over back. your comment about crotches made me chuckle because that is some of the hardest to split part of the pile. makes my old 27 ton craftsman moan and groan.....lol. absolutely look forward to watching many more/past episodes as i'm new to your channel.
Thanks so much for watching, more to come!!
Don't forget to smoke some hams with that maple wood.
That was ALL spot on & very valuable - thanks!
Thanks for watching!
thanks for your advice Chris, much appreciated
Glad it was helpful!
Great content, learned most of that from burning to heat my home but it's always good to hear from a pro that thinks the same. Just one tip I can add, when I'm buying wood some people advertise dead trees as "seasoned wood" simply because it's not flowing sap. I find it will burn but has low heat, smokes because it's wet or starting to rot and just not worth the trouble. If you're unsure of the dryness of any wood get a moisture meter, cut the piece in 2 and measure moisture content at the cut, I try to get around 17% or a little lower.
Yup, I agree!
Thanks Chris...pragmatic advice for the newbies...and unfortunately some not so newbies! Another important point that might not be seen as relevant to the subject is insulation of your home...I live in a cold climate in a log home I built. I put a lot of insulation in the walls and loft and am very surprised how little firewood I burn nowadays. I have felled, bucked and split my own firewood for about 40 years. Take care, Chris, BC, Canada.
Yes, good point, insulation is good and more is better!
I am just getting started heating with wood and your channel has been so helpful Thank you.
Thanks Johnathan!
Thank you for the tight intro and getting right to the point.
Thanks for watching!
Appreciate the knowledge guy!
In the spirit of sharing information, here's a tip for anyone reading: I've learned that wrapping wood or covering the sides is a horrible idea!
I had a full cord of box elder split and stacked but I was gonna stay out of state for the winter right? Brilliant me thinks "the more it's covered, the better". I cover the top and then I wrapped the sides in that same white plastic in the video. Well, half of it started to rot! If the sides are covered, any moisture that does get in will stay in! Only cover the top!
Yes, box elder is not a well storing wood either!
I got a cpl rolls of plastic sheeting (6 mil) i think & i was gonna double it up and cover the tops of the stacks like you mentioned earlier, and also some pole barn tin. I notice Kenny had quite a bit of barn tin to cover his stacks. Great content my friend! Ill be back tomorrow and you should too. GNI
Thanks Russ!
I fined that dealing with cutting, splitting and care of my firewood is the most satisfying thing I ever do. That’s not to mention the great feeling I have when my kids come to get a load. It’s perfect for getting your mind off of things and you get some exercise. Can’t wait to teach my two little grand dudes how to work a splitter.
I sounds to me like it is the best job you ever had???!!!
@@InTheWoodyard being a wood bustin Paw Paw is the best job any man can have. Thanks.
I’m new to splitting, this channel is great. Thanks for everything!
Glad you enjoy it! There's almost 900 more videos for you to watch and a new one every morning at 5:30 am central time!
@@InTheWoodyard at this rate, I’ll never catch up, you’re making them faster than I can watch them. I’m trying!
Dropping your trees in winter, when all the leaves are well gone, means there's lots less water inside the trunk itself.
Green leaves on the branches means gallons of extra water inside the trunk (as well as a hassle to deal with on the ground).
Wait until the tree looks dead and save yourself a year or two drying.
Yup, that is it!
I always cut in the winter after the leaves have dropped
Right! Surprised he didn't mention it
Great tips. I live on a narrowboat in the UK. We can legally forage deadwood from the towpath and the Canal and River Trust (the body that manages the canals) also regularly takes out problem trees and leaves the cut wood for boaters to use. This year was the first I have foraged enough wood to get through next winter without resorting to coal. The entire roof of the boat is covered with split wood that has been baking under raised solar panels all year (the best woodpile covering you can get 😃) and I have a bunch more in a pile at my sister's house, stacked exactly as you suggest here.
Sounds like a good system!
That's great! Solar panels for wood pile coverings.
First timer here - good presentation, good advice. Thank you! I think I would have passed your exam, especially with keeping wood up off the ground, but it has been a learning process.
I've been heating entirely with wood for 40 years, in the California foothills. Finally bought a good quality wood stove (Jotul 602) which is making me enjoy wood heat even more.
For my wood piles, I use old scavenged lumber, 2x6 and 2x4, usually 9 or 10 feet long, supported on broken concrete pavers, so I have good clearance off the ground. The concrete pavers are about 2" thick, and I get them at the local lumberyard - these are broken pieces they can't sell, and otherwise have to be hauled away, so it's a win-win. I put effort into getting the base mostly level on the uneven ground. I then drive T-posts at the ends of the rows to support the piles.
Mostly I do crown the rows for drainage but I could do better on that. I use black 4 mil plastic for covers. I usually scatter scraps of old carpet on top of the piles to minimize ripping the plastic on the sharp edges of the split wood.
In early fall, I move a winter's worth of wood -about 2 full cords of black oak and incense cedar (kindling) to a lean-to style woodshed close to the house. Tarps with grommets hang from the shed "ceiling" to keep windblown rain or snow off the fuel.
There's usually two years worth of wood under the black poly, ready for the following winters. To hold down the plastic, I use the concrete, but lately converting to old tire chains which drape nicely over a tall pile of firewood, keeping the sides of the tarps down.
Living on nearly 4 acres of ponderosa pine and incense cedar forest, I have an endless supply of kindling: fallen cedar branches are the best. I cut those to short lengths with an old Ryobi powered miter saw, a big handful of sticks for each cut. These are neatly placed in old milk crates and plastic recycle bins, and protected from winter rains.
Inevitably, I wind up with a significant amount of odd shaped small pieces that don't stack well. So as to not waste those, I fashioned a "cage" from welded wire fencing which sits on a pallet. All those pieces go in there, and dry out over the hot summer. Then I load them into recycle bins and use them up early in the season.
Lucky for me, I can load wood into a small 2-wheeled garden cart and roll it into the house and right up to the small wood rack I have close to the stove. So keeping wood indoors isn't the back-breaking job it might otherwise be.
AWESOME!
It sounds like you have a great system! I would love to show the folks here what it looks like. Can you email me some pictures of all your processes or set up ? I can keep you anonymous also if you want!
chrisinthewoodyard@gmail.com
Thanks!
I have been burning firewood for many years. Great tips. Thanks, and keep the
Thanks, will do!
Use the tarp covers that full bunks of lumber from the mills get wrapped in. Those work well. Youve seen a truck load of 2x4”s on the back of a semi going down the road… each stack is covered up. Hardware stores toss em. Go get some😊
Yup.
Thanks for the tips and thanks for watching!
I put the bark up always that way the wood always has a roof over its head when rain comes in from the side. and my wood is @ 2 years old so it is dry.
Hey buddy! Great video. I am in southeast Kentucky and I cure my wood at a minimum of two years. Your spot on with your info and I appreciate guys like you educating the future wood burners. Well done buddy.
Thanks a bunch, other Chris!
Great channel brother. Just bought a house with land and have ton of clearing to do and firewood to process. Thanks for all your help my friend
That is awesome! Get cuttin'!
Thank you for sharing with us your wealth of knowledge based on real world experience. As one who is hoping to inceasingly sell firewood for supplemental retirement income, you provide valuable wisdom to keep me "out of the woodshed" with potentially unhappy customers. 8^)
Thanks for watching, just keep cuttin'!
Maybe one more tip. If you have logs brought in like I do now, have them stack the logs stacked on stringers to keep them off the ground.
Yes that is very true!
I’ve Had a small wood stove in my single-wide for 20 years. It is the life of my happiness here, comforting and meditative. All of your tips ring true to me. It’s my way to start each day, splitting and stacking wood. There are a lot of trees needing to be cut up, Alder and Fir, And as you said, the branches are great. They love to get going because there are a lot of spaces between them. I’ve learned to use cardboard from boxes. At my food co-op they are anxious to get rid of them (let them be out in the damp air here in Oregon and they become easy to tear up). Dry the pieces inside. This adds moisture to the air just like my laundry hung around the chimney. As a kid it was my duty to bring in the wood for a kitchen stove. I found you gave tips I thoroughly agree with.
Thanks so much for watching! It sounds like you have a great system and a good life enjoying the simple thing like a nice warm fire!!!
I live in northern Wisconsin. I'm 70 years old and have been burning wood most of my life. I agree with everything you have said. Thank you for educating the inexperienced.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for sharing. The biggest mistake that I've seen with firewood is that people make a make a complicated science out of something that is very simple. Splitting & stacking & drying techniques etc.(The old timers are the worst) The only science to firewood is that you stack it, and give it plenty of time to dry. Manage the woodshed so you're burning the oldest wood. If they fit them my stove, I don't split them down, less work and longer burn times. I love the big round pieces.
I pride myself on taking as much work out the process as I can.
Fire starter sticks and a small propane torch will take all the time and work out of starting fires. After watching fire starting videos, I want to make a video called "Starting a fire in 30 seconds"
Thanks for watching Martin!
Nice video. I'm always sorting into 4 groups when I'm cutting, stacking and bringing into the house. These are by size and wood species; starting fires i use small pine, high heating to warm up the house is plumb or oak or red cedar, low heating for afternoons pine, and overnight big oak rounds or stumps.
That sounds like a good plan John!
Brilliant. Thanks Chris.
Glad you enjoyed it Tom!
Thanks chris
Lots of good helpful tips
Thanks Gregory!
My first year using wood to supplement heating. I had 5 60’ white oak removed and asked them to cut it up into 16-18” pieces so I could use a log splitter to cut it. The branches were ground into mulch (although like you mentioned I would have preferred to use it in the wood stove but they were ‘lazy?’). I ended up with smaller cut pieces from the rounds because I knew it would dry quicker if not too thick. Anything I could not stack (misshapen, crotch and knots) I did leave in small piles on sandy ground with full day sun and will use them for either supplemental or when small enough kindling. I moved and flipped these pieces to dry quicker and I don’t think I will be disappointed. I ended up with around 3 cords ( all stacked off the ground in varying areas of sun and wind. 4 of the 6 are covered with a tarp just on top with a little overhang to keep rain out.) Sometimes I uncover them when no rain is forecast but lately they stay covered because I don’t want them seasoning too quickly. I plan to use the 2 uncovered and the weird shaped ones first but again I’m not solely dependent on wood heat. I think for a newbie I should be fine. I have loved the whole process but I don’t want to make it a career 🤭🤣. Thanks for your helpful advice and especially the confirmation that I’m not a total idiot 🤭🤦♀️. Peace be with your brother!
Thanks so much for watching and happy burning!
I love these videos
Thanks Mr. Welder!
Thanks man! I recently moved into my sister's mountain home and have been getting her ready for Winter. We're stocking up for the boiler and I'm looking to make her effort more efficient. I really appreciate your input!
Thanks, Good luck!
out of the park, you made a lot of excellent points.
Thanks!!
Many years ago, I split all my wood by hand. I got into the habit of stacking the wood outdoors as rounds for 2 years before splitting, as that made the splitting easier. I split in March and April each year and stack the splits under an overhang where it is exposed to wind and some sun but is protected from rain. I still do it this way now that I have a hydraulic splitter, as at least the rounds lose some weight, making it easier to get onto the splitter. Moisture content ends up less than 10% even though my state, Ohio, is not very dry. I burn 6 cords/year. i use a 20 ton electric splitter, so I must bring the wood to the splitter. But I ike the low noise, low heat and no fumes from the electric model, as well as lower maintenance.
That sounds like a great system Rodney!
i been heating with wood for 42 years. good advice. one thing i like to do is use a wet wood in spring and fall when you dont need the high btu's. lasts longer to, yeah it makes a bit more creostote but thats what i do. i never put wet wood in during the winter. Works for me although i have wood backed up for 5 years.
Sounds like a good plan!
What an excellent video !!! Thank you !!
Glad you liked it!
My dad used to cut, load, haul, unload, split, stack then load up again and go sell for years. And being this was back in the 80's & 90's we being his son's worked right beside him. Not like these kids today. I just wanted to say to folks who are watching this that this man knows exactly what he is talking about. Very thorough in his explanation...
Thanks Bass Man!!!
I cut for 3 years in advance. I'm in the great southwest but at 8000', it gets cold here. I'm off grid, by choice, so wood is my only heat. At 62 I'm not getting any younger and one day I won't be able to cut my own firewood. That said I need to keep a surplus on hand. I rarely burn more than 3 cords and most often much less.
Sound like you did it right! off grid and wood heat!! My dad was always 5-7 years ahead on wood until he turned 75 then just had a couple years ahead and said each year for 5 years that he was done cutting. Now at 84 he is done burning too, he likes to turn up the thermostat!!
On the subject of keeping the wood dry. Most lumber yards will give you the tarps lumber is shipped in for free.
#11. Don't use too much at once. If you put in more wood than you can control you will over fire your stove, and it won't last as long. Metal will start to liquify at 800 deg. You won't see it warp until it is too late.
Over filling usually smothers the fire.
use the damper it's like a throttle..open for more heat, close for less.....
Yes Sir...I enjoyed this presentation. Since I have been felling, limbing, bucking, loading, transporting, unloading, splitting, stacking my own wood (as well as extra for others through the years)..... I have a great appreciation for those this knowledgeable who share that knowledge! Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it Greggory!
you might add something about leaving standing dead trees a few years before cutting firewood your video was great
Thank you sir for this great advice. And yes thanks for the short intro. I am a beginner at this. I am doing this to get off the gas furnace nipple.
Thanks for watching Brian!! Wood heat is way better than being on the nipple! Ha!
Number 12 (In my opinion): wood that is cut to whatever length and sold as part of a face cord. The trend in my area is wood that is cut from 8 to 12 inches or even 20 inches or more. I like to see everything 16 +/- 1.5 inches.
Yes, good one Michael!
Only problem with pallets is they become a five-star hotel for rodents as you already know
Actually they nest in the middle of the wood the most so I do not think it is the pallets, it is the safe wood pile. Thanks for watching Kenneth!
Great info! Look forward to more firewood talk
More to come!
This was brilliant! Thank you.
Thanks for watching Ian!
A guy I know, always tosses bark that falls off his wood; he doesn't like it...?
I find, that bark burns just as well as the wood - even makes great coals.
I have maple trees, that constantly drop small branches. I pile those branches, and after a summer of drying - they make great kindling!
Yup, it all burns!
Nice tips but you didn't mention a good time to cut wood is in the winter, not hot and the moisture content of the wood is lower to start with than warmer times.
Yes, you are right!
Super video.. thanks Chris
Thanks Bill!
Lol, you're the freaking man! I run a landscaping company -- But, firewood is my passion. For my home -- for my parents, friends & tons of customers. It became an all winter job setting up for the next year -- & we work on it throughout the year on slower weeks.
Clients we sell to, often don't understand most of the things you mentioned.....I have to refer them to your great videos, and verbatim explain all the "tips & tricks" you mention. I have my guys split down to "fist" diameter, so it will dry in time for anyone who needs it within a year or less. If you split bigger, it takes so much longer to dry. Thanks for all you do!!
Thanks so much for watching Jesse, I appreciate it...keep cuttin'!