How do you store / season your firewood?

[usmcveteran]

Just curious how you all do it. I have read a ton only about it. I have heard you need 6 to 12 months for it to season. I have heard that if you leave it uncovered and its rained on it can speed seasoning somewhat. In the winter seasoning slows down ect.

I know you need too airflow to help dry it out and all that.

Anyways I had a mason here other day and we got to talking fireplaces and wood. He said you need to season split wood for 3 years. If it gets rained on then you need to wait a year before you can burn it. He then said you should not have a fire if your going to burn for less then 8 hours ( he has open fireplace) and keep it roaring the whole time and said he goes through about a third a face cord a day that way and it gives him positive heating. He then said he hasn't had to clean his chimney in 20 something years by following those rules becuase it doesn't allow the creosilte to form.

So what do you all think?

[Guest]

Meh 3 years...
Cut, split and cover..repeat..a full year will do..when covering, make sure you leave some sides with enough for air to circulate..i mean yea ideally 3 years would be great..the dryer the better but that's definitely not needed. I've never had to wait more then the year..

[Pissed Off Patriot]

I've got some firewood that's been sitting around for 5 years or more. I just restacked most of it this summer, and covered it loosely with a new tarp because the old tarp disintegrated. Years ago I used to burn about a cord or so in the fireplace during the occasional power failure, and the semi frequent bonfires, but then I got a generator. The fireplace with built in ventilators can heat our ranch quite well since it's only a one story plus the basement. I actually just had a fire in the fireplace Friday night since we hadn't turned on the heat yet.

[Sailor Jerry]

Seasoning time depends on species of wood, ash can be burned after splitting, it's a low moisture species, oak on the other hand needs 6-12 months. I always store mine covered and allow for air flow. I just cut and split this years wood last two weekends, latter in the year than normal for me but it is done. Wood was mostly ash with some black cherry and oak, oak and BC will be burned last, the heavier the wood the more dense, like oak and hardwoods are better burning. Wood that is overseasoned will burn to fast because there is no moisture, just my two cents. Old pool wall makes a great cover over some 2x4's or pallets

[harleyhutch]

I use the IBC totes, they wont rot, I cut part of one side out and cover with old metal roofing. Not a perfect way but better than the old way. Logs get cut for one or two tank fulls of gas, then the saw gets a brake, then I split and throw the some pieces in to start stacking, then skillfully tossing pieces in they usually settle into place. I made a set of 3pt forks for the back of my tractor to move them. By switching back and forth between cutting and splitting/stacking also gives my body a break from redundant tasks. I have moderate to severe arthritis and plantar fasciitis once the pain and stiffness starts its a battle to keep going and the only way that works for me is changing up my movements and repititions to the point where I can't take it anymore and have to take a break. I look at the health benifit of doing the wood as keeping moving and the comfort in the winter as well as I know the day will come that I won't be able to do it anymore, so continue while I can. I would like to make individual covers for each tote as I go through 20-25 a year, roughly 2 1/2 totes to a cord. Cut and split your wood a year ahead, My logs are due in any day to start on next years wood supply but the bad news is, all my totes are full, so extra work this year.

[FinalWinchester]

Woodshed full of dry seasoned wood, wood stacked around the outside boiler for and wind break, and any wood for the following years gets stacked haphazardly around the property lol

[24Pink14Stink]

Seasoning time depends on species of wood, ash can be burned after splitting, it's a low moisture species, oak on the other hand needs 6-12 months. I always store mine covered and allow for air flow. I just cut and split this years wood last two weekends, latter in the year than normal for me but it is done. Wood was mostly ash with some black cherry and oak, oak and BC will be burned last, the heavier the wood the more dense, like oak and hardwoods are better burning. Wood that is overseasoned will burn to fast because there is no moisture, just my two cents. Old pool wall makes a great cover over some 2x4's or pallets

This. My dad used to buy it in April, somewhat green still. He got a good deal on it in early spring. We'd get 10 face dropped in the driveway and stack it 3 wide. By the end of the summer, it was ready to go. Top covered with a tarp, rolled down if we expected decent rain.

[RayKnobs]

Outside the back door for heat



Under the counter for the kitchen stove

[harleyhutch]

Always wanted a wood kitchen cook stove, bbbuuuutttt, want a nice one aaannndd want it cheap
If you want some interesting entertainment, reading one or the wood stove forums and how to season and burn wood is like reading a firearms forum on anything gun related, most will agree to a small degree but from there on its all opinions and a_ _ holes, everyone will have one, ha ha.
6 month minimum dry time anything longer is better and the hotter you burn it the better.
Here's an example, my neighbor has a nice soapstone stove but couldn't get good heat out of it. Problem was he would fill it to the max with wood split for a couple months and kept the stove damper shut down but I ran dry wood (split and stacked for a year) and throw a couple pieces in a hot bed of coals run wide open an was getting great heat. Built him a fire in his stove with dry wood and he was happy, happy, happy, and also had clear glass for the first time. He was convinced he had draft problems with his chimney.
That's this a _ _ holes opinion or did I just state a double negative?

[24Pink14Stink]

Nope. A-hole and opinion is a double positive.experience is a great teacher when heating with wood. Our family room would get unbearably hot.

[harleyhutch]

You make me feel special. Now this is a wood fired pizza oven that will kep you warm and toasty and only weighs 9100 lbs.

http://www.virginiaradiant.com/image...tsmanlarge.jpg
Craftsman-TTU2700/51
Weight: 9,100 lbs
Width: 63.75"
Depth: 53"
Height: 86"

Firebox width 16.5"
Firebox depth 24.75"

Bakeoven width 16.53"
Bakeoven depth 17.1"

Efficiency 78%

[Pissed Off Patriot]

Fess up! Who wants one of these?

[camper4lyfe]

Fess up! Who wants one of these?

More like, who doesn't?