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[dhymers]

I am using a small wood doctor that is about 10 years old now to heat up an old 1500sqft farm house.  Last winter (my first there) I burned all soft wood cut and went though just over 20 cord and was debating if burning hardwood would make that much of a difference in the wood consumption.  I see alot of guys on here burning 7-8 to 12 cord a year with similar heating requirements if not more than I am.  If my consumption reduces by half with hardwood it would certainly be more cost effective.

Thoughts?

Thanks

[AirForcePOL]

I'm not sure what kind of softwood you are burning but if you burn hardwood you will see a HUGE difference in your consumption.  For example, oak has about twice the BTU content as pine.  You will build a better coal bed with hardwood and things will work much better for you.   You should be able to cut your consumption in half just by switching to hard woods.

[Pointblank]

Google up a firewood BTU chart and you'll be able to see exactly how much you gain/loose between different trees. If you were burning popple or white pine last year and switched to something like oak, you'll notice a big difference. But comparing something like a Norway pine or douglas fir to a hardwood like elm or ash, shows they arent all that much different. It really depends on which trees your trying to compare.

[AirForcePOL]

Good info pointblank.  I use the sweeps library chart.  It seems to be pretty close to all the other ones out there. 

[mlappin]

I burn a lot of tulip poplar as well which is technically a hardwood, but I’ll burn half as much red elm, ash or had maple. Something like cottonwood or basswood is barely worth cutting up, don’t have a lot of pine in our area.

Finding a reliable BTU chart is also a very good ideal.

[willieG]

good hardwood can take up to twice as long to cure (dry) if you burn good hardwood too wet you may not gain many btu  compared to well seasoned soft wood ?

[juddspaintballs]

I burn what wood is convenient.  Last year I had 2/3 of a massive three trunked white oak fall over, so I'll be burning a lot of white oak this year.  I also have a handful of smaller trees I need to kill on the property.  Some are silver maple (hard?) and some are bradford pear (HARD!!!), but they all burn just fine.  I have no issue burning pine, but I only have one coniferous tree on my property and I rather like that big old fir out front. 

[dhymers]

Ok thanks for the replies, last year it was mostly pine and spruce and looking at mostly oak this year. I think ill take the plung and hope for the best.  Ill make sure i have access to additional wood over the winter just in case though:)

[d conover]

I have never burned spruce and don't know what kind of pine you have.  But what I call softwood in this part of Mo. I won't even haul home.  Gum, sycamore maple and willow.

I am pretty sure it takes me longer to cut it up than it does to burn it... It is only slightly better than cardboard

I think you will burn less than half as much wood if you switch to seasoned oak and hickory. I also like ash and elm is ok.

Just my opinion.

[atvalaska]

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

 When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
 There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
 There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

 All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
 The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

 They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

 You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

[dukethebeagle]

hey if its free chuck it in .its sure to make some heat

[LittleJohn]

hey if its free chuck it in .its sure to make some heat

...unless its a tire 

**Which by the way is not recommended in any stove, fireplace or firepit, but who sees the thick black smoke after dark 

[coolidge]

I didn't burn either exclusively last year, I would burn hardwood at night and softwood during the day, only had two cord of softwood, but it does have btus.