If you’re like me, you want to make sure that your firewood is dry and ready to burn when it’s time to start a fire. But how long does it take for firewood to dry out enough for proper burning?
Let’s go over the basics of drying out firewood and how long it usually takes.
The amount of time needed for firewood to dry depends on many factors such as species and size of the logs, weather conditions, air circulation around the logs, etc.
Generally speaking though, most types of hardwoods (e.g., oak) need at least 6-9 months of drying time before they are considered seasoned enough for burning in a fireplace or stove. Softwoods (e.g., pine) may need only 3-6 months because they tend to contain less moisture than hardwoods.
Why Does Firewood Need Drying
One of the main reasons why you need to dry out your firewood before using it is so that you can get more heat from each log.
Drying your firewood also helps make sure your wood ignites easily and burns cleanly. This is especially important if you are burning your firewood in a fireplace or stove, as that can prevent the buildup of creosote on the inside of your fireplace or stove.
Wet wood produces more smoke than heat when burned because all that water needs to evaporate first before the wood starts burning properly.
This means that not only will you have less heat coming into your home, but also an excessive amount of smoke which could be damaging both inside and outside your home. By drying out the wood beforehand, most of this smoke can be avoided.
How To Tell If Your Wood Is Dry
The most visual way to tell if your wood is dry and ready for burning is by looking at its color. If the outside of the logs is brown or yellow and appears cracked then they should be good to go.
You can also knock two pieces together and listen for a “hollow” sound. This will indicate that there isn’t much moisture left in the logs. Firewood with moisture in them will sound more “solid” when struck together.
Keep in mind that wood will continue to dry even after it has been cut, so you may want to opt for wood that is slightly drier than what is recommended by your local firewood supplier.
Finally, if you can use a moisture meter to test the water content of your firewood, that can give you a more precise idea of how dry it is. Moisture meters are more accurate in determining the actual moisture content of your firewood than simply looking at it or knocking on it.
Speeding Up the Drying Process
There are a few things you can do to help speed up the firewood drying process. For one, you should store your firewood in an area that gets plenty of air circulation. Ideally, this would be outside in a shed or another well-ventilated location.
Allowing air to circulate around the firewood will help it dry out faster. Keeping your wood completely covered with a tarp or other cover can actually slow down the drying process, as this will prevent air from getting to it.
Another thing you can do is split your logs into smaller pieces as this makes them easier to dry and also gives them more surface area which allows them to dry out faster.
Many homeowners also suggest stacking firewood in small piles or raising the temperature in the areas where you’re storing it. A little bit of heat and/or sunlight can help dry out the wood more quickly.
How Long Does It Take?
Depending on factors such as climate and location, it usually takes between six months and one year for firewood to dry out completely – in some cases even longer.
If you live in a colder climate, it could take even longer than a year, so it’s important to plan ahead when gathering firewood for winter fires. If your wood is from areas with high water levels or high humidity, you may need to let it dry even longer.
Once your firewood has been dried properly, you’ll be able to enjoy warm fires with minimal effort, while also helping prevent smoke buildup in your home and reducing the risk of creosote buildup on your fireplace or stove.
Final Thoughts
All in all, drying out your firewood before using it is essential if you want to get maximum heat from each log without having too much smoke coming into your home or causing damage outside.
It usually takes at least 6 months for firewood logs to dry out enough to be used but in some cases, it can take up to a year or more depending on where you live.
With patience comes a high reward though – once dried properly, your firewood will provide warm fires for many winters to come, with minimal effort and no risk of smoke damage inside or outside your home.
