Why You Need to Season Your Firewood

Theoretically, you could lop some fresh branches off a tree and toss them in your fireplace or wood-burning stove for a cozy evening in—but that’s not the best idea. Fresh wood has a high moisture content, which results in more creosote emissions and a less efficient burn or even damage to wood-burning stoves.

To get the most out of your fire, you’ll want to perform a process known as seasoning to dry out firewood in Seattle, WA before using it. Continue reading to learn more about seasoning your firewood.

Easy ways to season your firewood

The good news is that seasoning firewood is a fairly easy chore. Follow these tips to ensure your wood is ready for use in your fireplace or firepit:

• Split the wood: The smaller your wood pieces, the quicker and better they’ll season. Use an ax to chop your wood into manageable pieces for best results while seasoning.
• Keep it dry: Wood that’s left out in the open will never be properly seasoned. Stack your wood in a shed or under a shelter to keep it as dry as can be.
• Ensure proper airflow: While stacking your wood, try to get as much airflow as possible between the pieces. Stacking the wood on a pallet and in an alternating pattern can really increase airflow and aid in seasoning.
• Wait a while: Time is a leading factor in seasoning firewood. As long as the pieces are small and kept dry, your wood should be good to go in 12 to 18 months.

Signs that your wood is properly seasoned

Knowing that your wood is ready for use isn’t a guessing game. These are the signs that you have properly seasoned firewood in Seattle, WA:

• Color: As wood loses its moisture, it’ll get lighter and lighter in color. Grab the palest pieces to get the hottest and longest-lasting fire.
• Size: We mentioned above that split wood will season faster. When looking for wood for your fire, go for the smallest pieces you can find—these are more likely to be properly seasoned.
• Weight and hardness: Wood loses a significant amount of weight as it becomes seasoned.  Although it’ll be lighter, the wood will be much harder. Pick the pieces that seem lighter and harder compared to the rest.
• Peeling bark: The bark on wood often starts to peel or even fall off as it dries out. If the piece is missing large portions of its bark, it’s most likely ready to go in your fire.
• Cracking: Your wood will also likely split or crack as it’s going through the seasoning process. If you notice any fractured pieces, grab them and toss them in your fire.

Talk to us about getting a new fire feature

Now you know everything about seasoned wood in Seattle, WA. But that doesn’t help much if you don’t have a firepit, fireplace or similar fire feature at your home. At Custom Fire Art, we specialize in designing and crafting beautiful residential fire features. Contact us today to get a quote or to learn more about our services.

Categorised in: Wood Stoves

This post was written by Writer