Maggie's Farm

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Saturday, October 16. 2010

Got wood?

Our wonderful, invigorating cold weather is finally upon us, despite the warming alarums. I got my wood. It's a start, at least. That's about two cords, and I'll need another two to get to Spring.


I am not good for much, but I can split wood pretty good.


Posted by Bird Dog in The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation at 04:53 | Comments (10) | Trackbacks (0)

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I just have a little dab left over from last year. Enough for two or three fires, so I will have to cut some soon.

It is interesting that you split yours up into such small pieces. I like that size for starting a fire and establishing a bed of coals, but then I like to burn much bigger pieces once the fire is going.

Small pieces like yours burn too hot and fast for me.
#1 feeblemind on 2010-10-16 08:44 (Reply)
I know. It's an endless debate.

I keep mine wet, out in the weather, to slow them down. I hate dry wood.
#1.1 Bird Dog on 2010-10-16 08:48 (Reply)
Agree about the debate. Dry and under cover here wet W. Oregon
#1.1.1 Tralfaz on 2010-10-16 10:52 (Reply)
Wasn't trying to start a debate or correct you on the proper use of firewood, BD. I was merely stating what works for me.

I would be the last person to tell you how to heat your home.
#1.1.2 feeblemind on 2010-10-17 10:59 (Reply)
Firewood? Ah, come down to Florida and forget the firewood.
#2 grant1863 on 2010-10-16 09:37 (Reply)
I know of no other form of exercise that's as satisfying as splitting wood. When you're done, there's that pile, and you made it, and it just feels great.
#3 Gordon (Link) on 2010-10-16 11:46 (Reply)
You can use 40-70 percent less wood than a fireplace or cast iron stove, with simple-to-build stoves and heaters based on the rocket burner:

http://100somerville.blogspot.com/2009/04/rocket-stove-heaters.html
http://www.appropedia.org/Rocket_stove_mass_heater
http://ilovecob.com/archive/solunit-rocket
http://www.rocketstove.org/

The nice thing about this design is that it uses smaller diameter wood, so you can make use of garden prunings and other "waste" wood.

You cold climate folks should be looking at that, and the traditional Northern European high-mass house heaters, which also boast high efficiency.
#4 Ben David on 2010-10-16 14:08 (Reply)
I haven't had a fireplace in years, but I used to really enjoy splitting wood for the winter. I had a friend who used to live on about 50 acres up Coal Creek Canyon west of Denver, and I'd help him bring in his winter wood in trade for a pickup-full of my own. Nice times.
#5 wheels (Link) on 2010-10-17 11:46 (Reply)
The best time to split firewood is winter time. When the temp hits down around -20 or colder even the toughest knottiest wood splits easily. We use a cord & a half per winter in our fire place and work 1 year in advance of use. Cut logs in summer split in the winter and let it dry through summer and burn the next winter. Birch or popular is best as they do not throw sparks into the room when burning like spruce or pine. My neighbors were surprised at how much lower my gas bills are compared to theirs and the outings to cut the logs and do a bit of fishing on weekends are fun.
#6 Bob Devine on 2010-10-17 17:08 (Reply)
Looks like some nice, easy splitting, good burning, red oak.

I gotta get busy!
#7 lonetown on 2010-10-17 17:50 (Reply)

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