South Florida Firewood

[tony boca]

What are people burning in South Florida? I know we have Australian pine and Live Oak. Has anybody been using these?

[RTflorida]

Re: South Florida Firewood

Have not tried the Australian pine, although my firewood guy gave me a great chopping stump he had cut from a very large Assie pine.

Live oak as well as Laurel oak burn very well and hot, with a traditional oak aroma.

Stay away from the Swamp oak, grows mostly in areas that get flooded or don't drain well. Burns well, but lets off a noxious black smoke when burned...really nasty, the smell stays in your nose for several days. It must have something to do with nutrients/minerals that it takes in growing in the muck.

Hickory is also quite prevelent here in cental FL......simply the best in my opinion.

RT

[larrya1049]

Re: South Florida Firewood

I burn a lot of Live Oak and it burns real well and has a real nice smell to it. I also got a load of mahogany a while back and it burns good too. Australian pine is not actually pine but is a real dense hard wood that's real hard to cut when its dry. I bet it makes the perfect chopping stump. Due to the high density of the wood it also burns really intense. It's also considered an invasive species in south Florida and is being ripped out and thrown into land fills. After a hurricane I always stock up on wood because it's laying everywhere.

[tony boca]

Re: South Florida Firewood

How about black olive?

[larrya1049]

Re: South Florida Firewood

In general Olive wood is very dense and burns very hot once it starts burning. It also has a pleasant smell.

[tony boca]

Re: South Florida Firewood

I know it's a rough estimate, but how many logs are being used in a firing of a 42" oven?

[tony boca]

Re: South Florida Firewood

I bought some (seasoned?) Australian Pine. It seems to burn alot of black smoke.

[larrya1049]

Re: South Florida Firewood

Sounds like it's not fully seasoned. Some people in the group have suggested loading wood back in to the oven after it cools down a bit to dry it out the wood for the next burn. Almost kiln like drying it. You could try splitting the wood up first which will be a pain in the butt with Australian pine.

[Jen7fl6]

Re: South Florida Firewood

I'm in Central Florida, just getting started with Primavera 70. Still trying to get it cured but bought some "seasoned" oak and hickory wood that is not burning well and smoking a lot. I'm thinking it needs more drying time. How are fellow Floridians handling their wood seasoning in this rainy and humid climate?

[Gulf]

Re: South Florida Firewood

I'm in Central Florida, just getting started with Primavera 70. Still trying to get it cured but bought some "seasoned" oak and hickory wood that is not burning well and smoking a lot. I'm thinking it needs more drying time. How are fellow Floridians handling their wood seasoning in this rainy and humid climate?

You may be right. What you purchased may not be "well" seasoned. I'm not from South Florida, but from a subtropical climate. Try getting it hotter, quicker. Use very small dimensions of the wood. Try splitting the hardwood you purchased into smaller slivers for the starter fire. You might want to use a little well seasoned softwood as a starter or kindling. Start with a smaller mound, and add increasingly larger wood as the blaze will accept it.

[Jen7fl6]

Re: South Florida Firewood

Thanks, If you're in MS, you have a rain and humidity issue too. The wood I got was from trees that I was told had been cut down over a year ago, but the seller did not split it until I requested it. YEA, I was able to request very small splits, but BOO, it is still too wet. A couple of weeks ago, kindling from the splits would not even burn. Today, that was dry enough but the larger pieces-1-2" diameter just won't catch well enough to keep burning. Got a fire going for about an hour but could use only kindling sized pieces and shavings. I'm going to have to go on a hunt for dryer-REALLY seasoned wood until this dries. Just wondering if it's realistic to try to season wood outdoors, in a climate that averages 70%-99.9% humidity.

[Laurentius]

Re: South Florida Firewood

The wood will season probably better outside than in, if split and even better if de-barked. It needs to be stacked to get the optimal air flow to dry it and prevent mold and mildew and insect infestation. Properly seasoned wood takes about a year. Green wood is for future use.

[cobblerdave]

Re: South Florida Firewood

Gudday
I live in Sub Tropical Brisbane Australia the humitity is a problem it takes time to season wood and I have got to the point were I have to much wood waiting to dry and have to refuse any more till this lots dry and burn't.
Never thought I would refuse free wood but I just have too much wet wood.
Did refuse some dry seasoned wood a little while ago ...it was the flooring from an old horse float .... could you just imagine the smell when that was burn't... it would certainly keep the mozzies away

Regards Dave

[brickie in oz]

Re: South Florida Firewood

So what is Aussie Pine?

[Gulf]

Re: South Florida Firewood

Here's what I found that some Floridians think about them.
Invasive species.
Austrailian Pine

If they are a cheap (free) source of WFO fuel, the FB forum might be able to help .