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Six to 18 months
- Generally you should dry or “season” firewood for six to 18 months before burning.
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Feb 12, 2018 · If you want your firewood to dry as quick as possible, make sure to at least buck the logs before leaving them outside even for a slight period of time. Firewood dries from the ends, not from the bark, so more exposed ends equal to a quicker drying time.
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When dry or “seasoned” firewood has a moisture content at or below 20%, it’s ready to burn. How long does it take to get there? Well, I’ll answer that question in this post. Most firewood seasons within 6 – 18 months and there are many variables that affect the time it takes to dry.
Wood should be well seasoned before it is burnt. That means taking the moisture content down to 25-20% from typical values of 45-30%. Typically that means cutting and splitting the wood into manageable pieces and then air drying for the spring and summer.
- Overview
- Splitting Your Wood
- Stacking Your Split Wood
- Testing for Dryness
Freshly cut wood retains a lot of water, which makes lighting and sustaining a fire very difficult. Even if it does burn, wet wood gives off less heat, dies quickly, and creates more smoke and soot. Drying wood effectively does take time, though, so it’s best to plan at least six months ahead. But once you cut the wood to the size needed and stack ...
Purchase or cut down your firewood no less than six months before you plan to burn it. For best results, do so even earlier to give it that much more time to air-dry. If possible, collect wood a year in advance in order to ensure thorough seasoning.
Climate can affect drying times. Allow for more time if you live in a particularly wet region.
More time is also required for denser species of wood, like elm and oak.
Choose a safe work area.
Unless you purchased firewood that has already been split, pick an open area outside to cut and split the wood yourself. Make sure the area is open enough for you to handle a saw and/or ax without interference from any obstructions. Favor level ground over uneven ground to ensure good footing as you work.
Keep people and pets well away from the work area. Once you begin cutting and splitting, check behind you frequently to make sure no one is approaching.
Choose an area ideal for stacking.
Pick an outdoor space that receives little to no shade in order to maximize solar drying. Utilize the air by selecting an area that is open to prevailing winds or other air currents.
Avoid areas prone to flooding, runoff, and/or standing water.
Refer to almanacs or weather stations to determine the direction of your region’s prevailing winds.
If your land is especially hilly, expect air currents to move up and down the face of hills.
Map out your row (s).
Although the exact shade of wood’s color varies from species to species, expect your wood to grow darker as it dries. When you first split the wood, note how bright it is on the inside. Wait for the relatively white wood to fade into a yellow or grayish color before burning.
When you first split your wood, hold a piece up to your nose and breathe in deep. Familiarize yourself with the smell of its sap. Then, when you’re ready to burn wood, select a test piece from your pile. Split it open and take a whiff. If you still detect sap, place it back in the pile for further drying.
If most or all of the bark has fallen off on its own, consider the wood safe for burning. If not, slice the bark off with a knife. Inspect the wood immediately underneath. Allow any pieces that appear greenish more time to dry before using.
When you first split the wood, note how heavy each piece feels. Expect the same piece to weigh considerably less once it loses its water weight. To double-check that it is has dried, knock two pieces together. If they sound hollow, consider them dried.
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May 18, 2023 · Drying firewood can take anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the type of wood, the size of the logs, and the humidity and temperature of the storage area. To ensure your firewood is dry and ready to burn, it should have a moisture content of less than 20%.
Apr 18, 2022 · Generally you should dry or “season” firewood for six to 18 months before burning. But Mike Kuhns, a Utah State University professor and extension forester, says that time frame can be too broad to be useful. Luckily there are plenty of ways to narrow that window.
Jan 31, 2024 · How Long Does Wood Need To Dry Before Burning? Wood should be dried for at least six months before burning to ensure optimal burning performance. This allows moisture content to decrease to around 20%, reducing smoke and increasing heat efficiency.
