firewood question..

[RadarTech]

Ok-- I gotta ask--
We have 30 logs or so of POPLAR out in the yard...
All are nicely stacked and vary in length from 8 to 15 feet with a diameter of 10-20 inches..I would estimate at least 2 or 3 cords of wood is out there.....

We have burnt most of the oak we cut down when we built the house...
and with all this poplar sitting out there for over a year..
It the labor of cutting and splitting it worth it?

I have heard many say it is no good for firewood... But why?

Will it burn fast, leave lots of ash?
not burn very warmly?

thanks,
J

 

[wv cabin]

the only really good thing about poplar is that is splits very easy. it burns very quickly, pops alot and puts out low heat on its own. i burn quite a bit of poplar but i usually just mix it in with my oak and hickory so my good wood lasts longer

 

[/pine]

Popular burns very fast and has a low BTU/Cord ratio...ash is nominal...

I'ts not worth splitting for burning in fireplaces or wood stoves except for kindling...

I always split a little up for a mix of tinder (size) wood...

I also use it to get a good bed of hot coals that I add oak to before cooking steaks over an open fire (ala Boy Scout style with potatos and corn on the cob done in the coals too)

 

[RadarTech]

Well.
I have so stinking much of it and don't have any plans for it....
But I guess I can cut some of it and see how it goes....

J

 

[jayste]

Well.
I have so stinking much of it and don't have any plans for it....
But I guess I can cut some of it and see how it goes....

J

That's what I'd do. Like said before mix it with your hardwood. Can't hurt and you've got so much of it. Seems like a waste to let it rot.

Jay

 

[LD1]

It does burn fast and pop. Due to popping it is not good in an open fireplace.

However it does burn hot.

One thing thing to keep in mind is that all wood, when dry, has the same BTU's per pound. So oak, being about twice as heavy as poplar, has about twice the BTU's per given volume than poplar. The poplar will burn about twices as fast but give off about the same BTU's per hour as oak, you just go through twice as much wood.

 

[RadarTech]

I need to go back up update the thread I had posted about a chainsaw..

Picked up a husqavarna 445 18inch for a song... Well... it was one of those promotion things at work..
and I am so itching to use it...JUST it is cold and Still got snow covering the wood....

J

 

[RadarTech]

It does burn fast and pop. Due to popping it is not good in an open fireplace.

However it does burn hot.

One thing thing to keep in mind is that all wood, when dry, has the same BTU's per pound. So oak, being about twice as heavy as poplar, has about twice the BTU's per given volume than poplar. The poplar will burn about twices as fast but give off about the same BTU's per hour as oak, you just go through twice as much wood.

Cool-- then since I have 4 times as much poplar as I have oak... then it should outlast the oak...

Wait-- is that a good thing? now I am confused..

J

 

[wv cabin]

.if you have that much you may as well use it, just realize that it will burn much quicker. make sure you keep the door on your stove closed so it doesnt pop out.

 

[RadarTech]

.if you have that much you may as well use it, just realize that it will burn much quicker. make sure you keep the door on your stove closed so it doesnt pop out.

That is the bad thing...
I have a fireplace with a screen...

42" wide...
18" deep x 52" wide by 12" high hearth

I'll take a pic when I get the next fire going...