Firewood is an indispensable part of winter, providing warmth and comfort to families throughout the coldest months. But as any experienced wood burner knows, the quality and type of firewood you use are essential to getting the most out of your wood stove or fireplace. Seasoning firewood is an important part of this process, ensuring the wood you burn is dry and ready to burn efficiently. In this blog, we’ll explore seasoning firewood and how it can help you stay cosy all winter.
What is Firewood Seasoning?
Firewood seasoning allows freshly cut wood to dry and age naturally before using it for fuel. This is done by stacking and storing the logs in a way that allows the wood to naturally lose moisture, making it easier to light and burn. Seasoned wood is typically much easier to light and can provide a much hotter, longer-lasting heat than unseasoned wood.
The process of seasoning firewood usually takes anywhere from six months to a year, depending on the type and size of the firewood. However, it’s important to note that freshly cut wood can take up to a year to fully season and that burning unseasoned wood can lead to a buildup of creosote. This flammable substance can lead to chimney fires if not properly removed.
Benefits of Seasoning Firewood
Seasoning firewood has several benefits; the most obvious benefit is that it will burn more efficiently. In addition, seasoned wood has a much lower moisture content than unseasoned wood, which means it will burn hotter and longer than wet wood. This can also help reduce smoke and pollution, as wet wood produces more smoke and air pollutants than dry wood.
Another benefit of seasoning firewood is that it can help reduce the amount of creosote buildup in your chimney. When wood is burned, the smoke produced contains creosote, a flammable substance that can build up over time and lead to chimney fires.
Finally, seasoning firewood also helps to preserve the wood for longer, as it helps to prevent the wood from rotting and moulding. This can help you get more out of your firewood supply, as well as help you to save money in the long run.
How to Season Firewood
Seasoning firewood is a relatively simple process, but it does take time and patience. The most important thing to remember is that freshly cut wood can take up to a year to season thoroughly, so planning and starting the process early is important. The following steps will help you season your firewood correctly:
- Split the wood: Splitting the wood into smaller pieces will help speed up the seasoning process, allowing the moisture to evaporate more quickly.
- Stack the wood: Once the wood has been split, it’s important to stack it so air can circulate around the logs. This will help the wood dry faster and more evenly.
- Cover the wood: Covering the wood with a tarp or plastic sheet will help keep the wood dry and reduce the amount of moisture absorbed by the wood.
- Allow the wood to season: Once the wood is split and stacked, it’s important to allow it to season for at least six months and up to a year, depending on the type and size of the wood.
Common Firewood Mistakes
When it comes to burning firewood, there are a few common mistakes to avoid. The most common mistake is using wet wood. Wet wood is much harder to light and will produce more smoke and air pollutants. It’s also important to ensure the wood is split into small pieces, as this will help the wood dry faster and more evenly.
Another common mistake is not allowing the wood to season properly. Freshly cut wood can take up to a year to fully season, and burning unseasoned wood can lead to a creosote buildup in your chimney. It’s also vital to ensure the wood is stored properly, as storing wet wood can lead to mould and rot and attract pests and other critters.
Tools and Supplies Needed to Season Firewood
Seasoning firewood doesn’t require a lot of tools or supplies, but you’ll need a few things to get started. The most important tool you’ll need is an axe or a maul, which will help you to split the wood into smaller pieces. You’ll also need a tarp or plastic sheet to help keep the wood dry and a saw or chainsaw to help you cut the wood into smaller pieces. Finally, it’s crucial to have a place to stack and store the wood, such as a shed or garage.
Conclusion
It is important to season and dry your firewood before using it. This will take a long time, so do it ahead of time. If you want to avoid all the hassle, you can just purchase well-seasoned firewood from your local firewood supplier. Black Forest Firewood offers a variety of firewood depending on your needs. You may contact us at (02) 9631 5899 or send an email to admin@tree-services.net.au.
