Fireproof logs?

[Avinunca]

I have a Morso Squirrel woodburner and for the last few years I've been buying kiln dried logs from Home Bargains. They have burnt very well and have been very easy to get going. They did perhaps burn too quickly - probably a less dense wood.

In view of the increased cost of using the CH I had a delivery of 1.5 m3 kiln dried hardwood. I am having terrible trouble getting them to burn and the supplier collected a sample to test. My cheapie tester shows 18-20 % on the outside and on the inside of logs I split. It's all very frustrating, especially trying to keep at least one room warm until the temperatures merit using the CH. 

How is it that wood measuring 18-20% is so difficult to burn? Waiting on feedback from supplier. They are doing an oven test. They were very helpful and responsive.  We had a long holiday after delivery and the logs were under a tarpaulin but with air able to reach them from behind and from the sides.

Edited October 5, 2022 by Avinunca

[Steve Bullman]

What sort of wood is it?

[Avinunca]

2 minutes ago, Steve Bullman said:

What sort of wood is it?

It seems quite dense. It's difficult to split - very hard. May be some ash and other woods. Not sure.

[Steve Bullman]

put some pics up

 

[Mick Dempsey]

Swept the flue this summer?

[Avinunca]

There's a strong roaring updraught. Will take pics in daylight tomorrow. It's as if the logs are coated with fire retardant

[Avinunca]

I had some Home Bargains logs left over from last winter. They burned beautifully.

 

Couple of small (new) logs now burning nicely but it's taken ages to get them going.

Edited October 5, 2022 by Avinunca

[coppice cutter]

I find that the harder the wood, the slower it is to get going.

 

Is it possible that you're simply comparing the different burning characteristics of two completely different types of wood?

[Steve Bullman]

13 minutes ago, coppice cutter said:

I find that the harder the wood, the slower it is to get going.

 

Is it possible that you're simply comparing the different burning characteristics of two completely different types of wood?

Most likely. If he's expecting something like dead standing elm to take as well as some kiln dried Ash then it would explain a lot.

[Doug Tait]

Home Bargains advertise their kiln dried logs as 100% Birch.