Firewood drying time - INSANE CLAIM?

[Big J]

Ah, any idea why this is a Beech 'appears' to be denser than Ash?

 

Certainly easier to cut Ash when green.

 

Not exactly sure really. Must be down to the cellular structure - ash has very long fibres too, and perhaps doesn't lose moisture as well through sawn faces.

 

I slabbed beech last year at 2.25" in February. By October it was 18% moisture content. Only softwood will dry quicker than that.

[arboriculturist]

Perhaps save a lot of messing about and buy a Log Drying Kiln!

[Logsnstuff]

Kiln dried not as eco friendly as air dried

[Woodworks]

Beech is one of the easiest and quickest timbers to dry. Ash on the other hand - takes ages to come down from it's measly 37% MC start point.

 

Glad you say that Jonathan.

 

You often hear people say how great ash is but always found the beech logs dry first so doubted my testing. Also don't find sycamore to dry very quickly either.

[arboriculturist]

Kiln dried not as eco friendly as air dried

 

That may well be true, but for some who have limited space to air dry timber it could be necessary so they can still feed those hungry children waiting at home.

 

Some people use waste wood to fuel their Kiln, so perhaps eco-friendly in some cases, particularly if they are supplying people who normally use fossil fuels to heat their homes.

[openspaceman]

My experience certainly says that wind is more important than heat in the summer months. Our logs are not as dry this year as they were last for similar species and drying time. Lovely warm summer for us but almost no wind unlike last which was quite cloudy, less warm but a fair bit of breeze. Can still dry logs over the winter months. Last few years have been able to sell white woods processed in September before winter was out. No chance with oak and chestnut though.

 

This may be to do with the limiting factor being the speed of migration of water within the log rather than the air's ability to evaporate it from the surface.

[openspaceman]

Kiln dried not as eco friendly as air dried

 

It could be if the heating was a by product of doing other work!

[BARNSLEY BOB]

the pack fix system does work,,,

both air dried and in the kiln too.

 

to answer question, not insane claim.

[arboriculturist]

the pack fix system does work,,,

both air dried and in the kiln too.

 

to answer question, not insane claim.

 

So to summerise, the claim from JAS P's customer that hardwood logs pack fix wrapped up on the exposed windy hill covered on top can reduce to a moisture content of approx 20% after 3 months in the winter months - could be correct?

[BARNSLEY BOB]

So to summerise, the claim from JAS P's customer that hardwood logs pack fix wrapped up on the exposed windy hill covered on top can reduce to a moisture content of approx 20% after 3 months in the winter months - could be correct?

 

 

 

yes

 

done it