The warmth of a popping fire in the hearth is one of the best feelings during the winter months. But if you want your fire to last, burn efficiently, and keep your house warm, it is key to learn the basics of proper seasoning and stacking firewood. It is a good idea to learn everything you need to know about prepping firewood for the best, long-lasting burn.
Efficient Burning and Maximum Heat
To burn firewood efficiently, the key is keeping the fire burning hot. To do this, you will want to burn dry wood and add more wood into the fire before the woodstove or fireplace cools down. To burn a hot fire, start by burning some kindling. Kindling is firewood which is smaller than wood logs-such as woodchips or splinters. You will also want the kindling to be dry as well. By burning kindling before the bigger logs, you allow more air into the fire, which leads to faster combustion and higher heat. Once the kindling is lit, you can then (carefully) introduce larger, dry logs into the fire.
Reduced Creosote Buildup
Burning unseasoned wood not only has the benefit of keeping the home warm during the winter months, but it also prevents creosote buildup. Creosote tends to form as a form of soot that forms in the chimney as a flaky black substance. If left alone, it will continue to build up and harden, making it harder to remove. If Creosote continues to build up, it turns into a thick, sticky substance that is extremely flammable. If not taken care of, Creosote buildup can cause a chimney fire. However, by burning seasoned, dry wood, Creosote buildup can be reduced.
What is Seasoned Firewood?
Seasoned firewood is wood that has been chopped into logs and dried out for a long period of time. Seasoning is important for wood burning because if you burn fresh-cut logs, the fire will not burn well, will be extremely smoky, and will die very quickly. When you season- or dry out- fresh wood, you remove most of the moisture that was in the log, causing it to burn warmer, longer, and with less smoke.
How to Season Firewood for the Perfect Burn
Since we’ve established the reasons behind seasoning and drying firewood, it is time to learn how to season and dry firewood. Drying wood takes time, so it’s important to begin preparing wood a year before the next season. For example, as winter arrives, it is important to prepare wood for next winter. It takes roughly 180 days (about 6 months) to season and dry firewood, so it is crucial to get on top of it.
To season and dry wood, you will need to take your green (freshly cut) wood and split it with an axe or wood splitter. Split wood not only dries faster but burns better as well. Splitting wood takes time and effort, so make sure to carve out a chunk of time and have plenty of water and snacks on hand. Once your firewood is split, it is time to stack. It may not seem like it, but there is a strategy to stacking firewood. When you stack the wood, make sure to leave small gaps between the logs to allow for airflow. The best way to do this is to stack the logs without the ends touching. It is also important to plan where you want the wood pile, as it needs to be under a shelter to prevent rain from re-wetting the wood over the next year. This should be a proper shelter such as a porch, as a tarp may protect the woodpile from rain, but it traps in already present moisture. You can also build a small shed or structure specifically to protect your woodpile from condensation.
How Long Does It Take to Season Firewood?
Firewood seasoning can take quite a while, so be sure to plan ahead. Depending on the wood hardness, conditions, climate, and if it is covered. Assuming your wood is covered, it can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months to fully dry out- sometimes it may even take a year. It’s best to plan for the wood to be fully seasoned by the next season. For example, if you start seasoning wood in summer, it should be fully seasoned by next summer.
Ideal Storage Conditions for Seasoning
Again, the whole point of seasoning firewood is to dry it out enough to burn well, long, and with little smoke. Fresh wood is considered wood that has just been cut down from a tree, which is a living organism. Living trees hold a lot of moisture, so when logs are freshly cut from a tree, they will also hold a lot of moisture. First off, when storing firewood for seasoning, it is important to ensure that the logs have been split in half with an ax or woodcutter to ensure a quick evaporation of moisture. Ideally, you will want to store your firewood in a place with plenty of ventilation, but also in a place that is covered from rain and snow. To make things easier for yourself, you can invest in a wood storage rack or a woodshed. You can use a tarp, but make sure that the tarp doesn’t sit directly on the wood, as it not only keeps new moisture out, but it also keeps old moisture in, so it will take even longer to season the firewood fully and properly.
How to Stack Firewood for Maximum Efficiency
There are a few diverse ways to stack firewood, but there is only one efficient way. Many automatically think to stack all the firewood in a tight, close together pile for an efficient use of space. However, it is best to do the opposite. By stacking a loose pile with many gaps between the wood, you allow for air to circulate through the wood pile, allowing it to dry faster.
The Pros and Cons of Different Stacking Methods
While there is a general method to stacking, it can be more intricate than simply stacking wood, and there are a few methods that may be worthwhile. There are many methods out there, so we will only focus on a few. The Crisscross method involves stacking firewood in a log cabin style. Each row faces a different direction than the last, so that the stack looks like a log cabin. This method promotes excellent airflow through the wood, allowing for quicker dry time. However, it is not an efficient use of space. The Norwegian method entails stacking firewood high in the shape of a circle, so that the wood stack looks like a small hut. This method is best used when you have substantial amounts of wood to season and very little space while maintaining adequate airflow. However, it is likely that the wood in the center of the stack will not receive sufficient airflow, which can cause the wood to take longer to dry.
Very similar to the Norwegian Method, the German Method requires stacking the wood in a circular pattern identical to a wooden beehive. However, with this method, it is important to ensure that the cut ends of the wood face outwards. This method is good for when it rains, as it protects the woodpile from getting soaked through while still maintaining airflow. However, when it comes time to collect the wood, it will be difficult to avoid knocking over the entire pile. There are many different methods, all of which have their benefits and drawbacks. It’s important to find the one that best fits your specific situation. Some are more aesthetic than others, and some are more efficient.
Stacking in a Woodshed vs. Outdoor Stacking
It may be beneficial to build a woodshed on your property. There are many reasons to build a woodshed, including climate, aesthetics, insulation, and environment. The whole purpose of a woodshed is to protect the wood from getting wet while allowing for air to reach the wood, drying it out. It creates a quicker, more efficient method of wood seasoning. Many may find a woodpile unsightly, so the woodshed also covers up the pile, creating a neat, put together area specifically dedicated to wood seasoning.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Stacking and Seasoning Firewood
There are a few mistakes many people make when first starting out stacking and seasoning firewood. Some of these mistakes include stacking the wood pile directly on the ground, covering the stack without leaving room for air, and stacking logs too close together.
Stacking Directly on the Ground
While you may want to stack outside for proper airflow, it is important not to stack directly on the ground. By doing this, you restrict airflow to the bottom of the pile, making it harder to dry and season the wood. If you do stack, do so on a wire frame or above the ground.
Covering the Sides of the Stack
To avoid rainfall or general moisture, many people cover the woodpile with a tarp. However, by placing the tarp directly on the woodpile, you are trapping existing moisture and not allowing it to escape. To avoid this, make sure to drape the tarp above the woodpile so it is not sitting directly on the wood, allowing more air to flow through the pile.
Airflow
When creating the woodpile, it is important to be thorough. Make sure to leave adequate space between each log perpendicular to the next to ensure enough airflow. When having adequate airflow, the logs will dry quicker, allowing for their use come next season.
Final Thoughts on Stacking and Seasoning Firewood
Seasoning firewood involves drying out fresh wood to allow for efficient burning later down the line. If firewood is not properly seasoned, it can lead to a buildup of creosote and would not burn efficiently; often creating a lot of extra smoke. There are a few methods of firewood stacking, including using a woodshed, or methods like the Norwegian or German Methods of stacking. When stacking firewood, ensure there is enough space between each of the logs to allow for proper airflow, which will help dry out the logs and prepare them for burning down the line later.
Additional Resources
How To Stack Firewood: A Comprehensive Guide to Clean and Dry Firewood
A Guide To Stacking Wood Like a Pro.
Understanding the Pros and Cons of Wood Sheds: A Comprehensive Guide.
