Someone asked about seasoning firewood a few days ago. Lotta replies and opinions.
This was in the Kansas City Star today - info from the Chimney Safety Institute (didn't know there was such a thing)
*"Seasoned" means the wood has dried six to eighteen months. Longer is better. (I do mine a year minimum)
*Freshly cut wood can be up to 45% water, if burned it generates a lot of smoke and ash.
*To tell if wood is seasoned look for cracks at the end, bark that pulls off easily.
*Dry wood will weigh less than green because much of the water has evaporated.
*Well seasoned wood makes a "clunk" when two pieces are knocked together.
*Stack wood off the ground with spaces between the pieces for air circulation.
*Cover the stack with a tarp to keep off snow and rain. (Black plastic works well, absorbs heat and acts as a small scale kiln)
*Do not stack wood close to your house, a woodpile looks like heaven to termites.
Peculiarjane and I stacked 4 trailer loads yesterday. We took down 5 large trees to clear an area of our yard. Osage orange and black locust, heating wood. Wood truly is the heat source that warms multiple times.
This was in the Kansas City Star today - info from the Chimney Safety Institute (didn't know there was such a thing)
*"Seasoned" means the wood has dried six to eighteen months. Longer is better. (I do mine a year minimum)
*Freshly cut wood can be up to 45% water, if burned it generates a lot of smoke and ash.
*To tell if wood is seasoned look for cracks at the end, bark that pulls off easily.
*Dry wood will weigh less than green because much of the water has evaporated.
*Well seasoned wood makes a "clunk" when two pieces are knocked together.
*Stack wood off the ground with spaces between the pieces for air circulation.
*Cover the stack with a tarp to keep off snow and rain. (Black plastic works well, absorbs heat and acts as a small scale kiln)
*Do not stack wood close to your house, a woodpile looks like heaven to termites.
Peculiarjane and I stacked 4 trailer loads yesterday. We took down 5 large trees to clear an area of our yard. Osage orange and black locust, heating wood. Wood truly is the heat source that warms multiple times.
