Seasoning firewood

Bubbas Boys · #1 01/21/14, 08:49 PM

Our wood pile is growing the last week and wondering if just covering it with a tarp over the top and letting the sides be open with dry ok this spring and summer to be ready for next winter? It is testing 22-24% on the moisture meter now.

unregistered41671 · #2 01/21/14, 08:52 PM

Before I built a good sized woodshed, that is what I did and it worked well. During the dry months of summer, I uncovered it.

Mrs. Thankful · #3 01/21/14, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Possum Belly

Before I built a good sized woodshed, that is what I did and it worked well. During the dry months of summer, I uncovered it.

Does the wood shed have to be ventilated?

Fire-Man · #4 01/21/14, 09:25 PM

I stacked between 2 trees and used 2 pieces of tin(so they would over-lap in the middle and reach the ends of the pile's). Keeping in mind we rarely seen snow. A wood shed would need to be open some so moisture can escape and a breeze can go through it.

haypoint · #5 01/22/14, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubbas Boys

Our wood pile is growing the last week and wondering if just covering it with a tarp over the top and letting the sides be open with dry ok this spring and summer to be ready for next winter? It is testing 22-24% on the moisture meter now.

how dry is your summer going to be? how hot? stacked or just in a pile? everything split or mostly round wood? lots of variables.

Bubbas Boys · #6 01/22/14, 08:22 AM

I want to keep it in a shed of some kind one day but it aint gonna happen this year. I split everything no rounds, it is stacked, of course I have no idea about this summer but usually hot and dry. I just wondered if the rain from spring blowing in the sides will not let it dry properly. Also, do you folks test the moisture of wood if so what is the number you shoot for?

Tango · #7 01/22/14, 08:34 AM

I just stacked inside an open shed (roof but no sides) some were split some were round depending on diameter. he sides did get wet from rain but not enough that they were constantly soaking - I had neighbors who had an older model woodstove that handled more types of wood than mine and their wood did get soaked on the sides quite a bit. Never tested mine for moisture and I had a very finicky stove with an internal double burn that would clog up with green or softwoods. In southern Tennessee our summers are hot and humid and our springs and winters are wet. I'd bring the wood in to an indoor wood stack and let it dry inside for a couple of days before feeding the stove. I burned mainly red oak and hickory but other hardwoods as well and seasoned only for one year and not the two recommended b the manufacturer, though two probably would have been good, I just never caught up enough for it. I once read that a proper stack of firewood had holes big enough for a mouse to run through but not big enough for the cat running after him

dirtman · #8 01/22/14, 08:43 AM

If you are down to 22 % now you are most of the way there. Cover it with a tarp and don't worry about it.

TnAndy · #9 01/22/14, 09:36 AM

18 to 20% is about all air dried wood will ever do unless you live in Arizona type place, or you bring it inside in the winter.

I'd be leery of readings from a moisture meter though as far as accuracy unless you take several average sized pieces, cut them in half or split again lengthwise, and read the face of that fresh cut. Meters are meant to read boards, not pieces 4-6" thick. The accuracy reading deep is questionable.

unregistered41671 · #10 01/22/14, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs. Thankful

Does the wood shed have to be ventilated?

I just built a three sided shed with a roof on top . I left the side open on the opposite side of the prevailing winds and weather.

Tabitha · #11 01/23/14, 09:49 AM

We have stacked between trees in the past. I also have made a hoophouse with three cattle panels, covered it with tarp, takes about half an hr. Then stacked it full. It worked perfect. The tarp I fastened with clothespins all around, they held for three years.

1shotwade · #12 01/23/14, 10:46 AM

You are over thinking this thing. It's firewood and your goal is to dry it to the point it will burn efficiently without creosote build up when burned.
All woods are different. Oaks will only dry 1" per year on the outside. This is why they are so good as firewood. The outside gets dry enough to burn and produce enough heat to dry the rest of the log before it is needed for fuel. That's just what you want for an over night fire.
I try to cut 3 years in advance but never seem to get there.I will cut all year and leave the wood stacked where cut then in September I start bringing it into the basement. Any that was large gets split and stacked on the covered porch to continue to season. Ant thing that was dead and has dried or was small enough to dry will go to the basement ricked up to continue to dry until needed to burn.I will use everything inside before starting to burn what is stacked on the porch.
The key to drying firewood is having it covered so it is not rained on directly and having good air flow to draw moisture out.If it gets rained on, on the ends it'll dry out just fine but if the rain hits the to it just soaks down through the wood and won't dry.In a year or so you can pitch the moisture gauge. You'll know by the feel and the weight if it's ready to burn.

Wade