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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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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.
May 6, 2021 · Freshly chopped firewood has up to 50% water content and won't burn in your fireplace. First, you must let the firewood season (dry), which allows the moisture to escape––the drier the wood, the cleaner the burn. When the wood gets down below 20% water content, it's ready to burn.
- 1. Before drying, know the properties of your wood. The duration of seasoning depends on the wood and for deciduous trees, when the tree was felled...
- 2. Gather and stack wood at the right time of year. With the exception of wanting to gather deciduous trees when their sap is lowest during winter,...
- 3. Chop the wood in readiness for storage. It's best to get the pieces down to no more than 6-8 inches (15cm-20cm) in diameter. Eighteen inches (45...
- 4. Store the wood outdoors. Do not store wood inside; if there are termites, you don't want them getting at your house!
- 5. Stack the wood so it isn't sitting directly on the ground or right up against a wall. If you don't have a woodshed, cut two saplings to use as a...
- 6. Allow space between the stack and a wall to allow air to move. Air circulation is an essential part of the seasoning process, to ensure that the...
- 7. Ensure that the top of the wood is covered to allow rain (or snow) to run off without soaking the wood. However, keep the ends of the stack unco...
- 8. Check for wood dryness. You can use the wood moisture test meter as mentioned earlier, if you have access to one. Alternatively, try these simpl...
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.
May 18, 2023 · In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about storing firewood in the UK, including where to store it, how to stack it correctly to dry, drying wood, where to find dry wood in the UK, and a summary of Ready To Burn wood.
