Keeping the rain off oak is key. I started into some that has had 2 summers CSS, all under tarp. No hiss. If yours has been covered you should be fine.
I'm guessing climate plays a part too. Down here, two years is adequate for oak. I had some fallen dead red oak ready in a year (top covered and in a good spot)
I think moisture exits oak quicker during the first part of the burn. 15% oak may hiss and 15% something else may not. My experience anyway.
I've got some red oak that I just checked over the weekend. 20 - 21%. Just threw a piece in and not one bit of hiss or moisture out the ends. It's been css for almost 3 yrs.
The oak I have on board is hit or miss. I tested different sections of my rack (which holds 3 cords, 3 rows 6'high x 17'L) while I moved it into and around the shed. The NE facing section (just like last year on a different rack) still isnt ideal. Its around a half cord that struggles. Oak is great, but its testy trying to stay 3 yrs ahead. I am actually looking forward to hickory in the '17/'18 stacks. (Which takes nearly as long I have found) You'd be surprised how fast things will dry out keeping it in the stoveroom. I keep a 2-4 day supply near the stove in a wooden crate ( more than exceeding clearances with the stove) and it seems to help quite a bit.
I feel the same way up here, although a fallen live tree really seems to benefit from 3 years. I would have a heck of a time heating my house if I gave up on oak, probably 95% of this years stack is oak. The white oak I burnt last night lit off in seconds and burnt beautifully.
That happened to me last night with 3 year ash. Took a a few similar pieces and split them to check. All were reading 14 to 17 felt and sounded good. Tossed one of those in the stove and it did the same thing. Not quite as bad as your picture but it was hissing out water.
Yup, top covered for the last year. Fair sun and wind. Oak just frustrates me. I've cut standing dead where the tops are burnable that day, then I get down to the stump and water is literally pouring out as I cut it. I've also cut standing dead red oak dry all the way down to the stump. Again, I have no patience for hit or miss oak.
Dry it for 3 years in good wind and sun. No hit or miss. Mine hasn't hissed in several years doing that. Maybe conditions here are a little gooder. I've been cutting a lot of dead standing/down Oak and I'll be checking the stuff I cut in 2013........next year. I hope it's dry. If there are space constraints, AND time constraints, then you're fighting a losing battle with Oak. What other firewood options do you have BV?
I have a bunch of standing dead elm. That stuff is great. It is very dry when you cut it and they can be dead for a long time before the become punky.
Oak is my favorite.......and the longer it sits split and stacked, the better. I'm burning some 3 year seasoned white oak now with no issues....I keep my stacks top covered. .
When I wasn't in the position that I am now. Oak was not for me. Now I can afford to set aside for 3 + years to dry. But unless you have the space and the patience, it can be temperamental...
