I like wood heat but finding firewood is a pain in my backside.

We found a used wood burning stove last year and installed it prior to Thanksgiving 2011. It's a nice, big Lopi Leyden and can heat the house if given the proper fuel. We love it. However, finding the proper fuel hasn't been so fun. Now that we've sourced wood from more sources than I can remember I feel that I should write down some notes so I can learn from these experiences and maybe you can too.

First thing to know is what kind of wood you want to look for.

- Hardwoods burn longer, softwoods, when properly seasoned, can burn hot and quick. A combo of the two gets things going in a hurry.

- Seasoned - if you want to heat, seriously heat, with wood, it has to have been split and dried under cover for at least a year. Ask and ask again. If it has been down in the woods for over a year but has just gotten split it isn't going to be good enough. Ask for a guarantee. Ask if the seller heats with wood, they usually know more if they are experienced with it. Burning for ambience and burning for heat are two completely different things.

- Amount - around here the basic measure is a 4x8. That is a four foot tall by eight foot wide by one log deep stack sometimes known as a "furnace cord". I have spent anywhere from $30 - $90 on this size but have seen them going for as much as $120. Trust me, spend the money. That $90 stack was the best for us so far.
Here is the best resource online that I've found: http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/home/heating_cooling/firewood.html

Our first source of firewood was directly from the woods. A good friend had befriended a land owner who allowed us to cut up some downed trees. I borrowed another friend's truck and chainsaw and drove nearly an hour to get there. Traipsing into the woods, chainsawing, dragging, loading and delivering back home, twice. The negatives: I spent a whole Sunday away from home, about $60 on gas, nearly 4 hours driving a giant truck and I was worn out - and hadn't even chopped it up yet. The positives: I spent a whole Sunday in the woods, I got to hang out with a good buddy and I got some exercise. The end result is that I haven't done it again, choosing instead to take my chances on Craigslist. Then I had to wait a couple of months to use the wood. Seasoning is what it's all about if you want to make the best use of your wood stove.

If you've bought anything on Craigslist, you know it's a mixed bag. I have had mostly success with buying things like electronics and bikes and really anything I can ask direct questions about and get a good look at before I spend any money. It's a pretty fun challenge to find good stuff. Firewood has posed a different challenge. I am always looking for a bargain and one thing I've learned is that if you want to spend a lot of money you can get good, seasoned wood delivered tomorrow. I am cheap.

Now I'm sitting here watching the fire, my coals need constant attention. Improperly seasoned wood is a lot of work, doesn't heat as efficiently and builds up creosote in your flue since it burns slower and therefore goes up the chimney slower allowing for build-up. Do yourself a favor, as I will do myself a favor from now on, if you are out of wood and need to heat your house today, pay some money for the proper fuel. Go after the deals when you can let the wood sit and season.

Cordwood Building

I'm looking to enrich myself, to learn things that I feel important for the future. Checking out Earthwood Building School and their cordwood building classes. Seems like it could be an interesting endeavor to build with cordwood but I have many questions. There may be classes I could take that are closer geographically so I'll keep looking but it is an intriguing place and I may have to go at least for a visit someday!