Purchasing firewood that is already seasoned from a trusted distributor is one way to ensure that you are using fuel for your fireplace that will help it perform the way it should, but if you’re gathering your own wood, following the correct procedure for seasoning is essential to forestall potential fire problems.
Why seasoned firewood? Freshly cut, or green wood will burn, but because of the water contained in this “unseasoned” form, it will burn inefficiently, resulting in less heat. It can also cause more smoke, which poses an unpleasant (and potentially dangerous) atmosphere for your home, and possibly more creosote build-up in your chimney. (Additional smoke is also not ideal for the environment.)
How long does it take to season firewood? This depends on the type of wood. Hardwoods like oak, ash, cherry, or maple can take a year or more; softer variations like cedar, fir, or pine can be ready to burn in six months. This means you’ll need to allow for plenty of time to season firewood before it’s burning season. Trees that are cut down in spring may have more sap and take longer, and if you live in a moist climate, it could take longer as well.
How do I know when the wood is ready to burn? There are a few factors that indicate wood is seasoned and ready to go. Here are some tips for checking the burn readiness of your wood…
Burn it. Yes, it can be that simple. Just burn a log to test it.
Four Sense Check. Smell to see if it still smells “sappy”, feel it to check if it’s damp or still weighs the same (seasoned wood is lighter than it is in an unseasoned state), bang two logs together to see if you hear a hollow sound, and look to see if the color is faded.
What steps do I need to take to season wood? You need to split it properly, to begin with; it should be sized to fit your stove or fireplace, and then you need to stack it correctly. This usually means in a single row that can get both sun and wind exposure. This is to ensure it dries properly after rain--it may seem like a good idea to cover your store during rain, but the wood needs to dry out naturally afterward.
Although it might seem overwhelming, once you understand the basics of seasoning wood, it can be a fun addition to fireplace ownership. (Or, it could make you appreciate being able to simply buy fuel that’s ready to go.) Some advantages of knowing how to season wood are that it can be more economical, and also give you another option if already seasoned wood becomes hard to find in your area.
Seasoning wood properly, and understanding the importance of using only seasoned wood in your fireplace or wood-burning stove, is an important element of keeping your fireplace and woodstove usage safe for you and your fire burning implement.
