Are you ready to start building fires? It’s important to ensure the wood you’re burning is properly seasoned! This will help you build better fires that produce less smoke, and you’ll see less creosote accumulation in your chimney, too (thus minimizing your risk of chimney fires). Not to mention, your fires will burn cleaner and produce more heat. Learn more about properly seasoned wood below, so you can build the best fires, every time.
There are a few tips we suggest when picking out firewood from a store or local seller… Check for shorter pieces with ends that are darker and split. These factors indicate the wood has had a better opportunity to dry out. On top of this, pieces that are lighter in weight typically contain less water, and if they make a hollow clunking sound when smacked together, that’s a great sign, too! If your firewood has these signs you should be good to go.
Yet, if you’d rather ensure your wood is perfect, no matter what, then seasoning your own is the way to go. And we can tell you how to do just that! Read up, then get started, so you have the best woodpile when the holidays come back around in 2018.
Picking The Ideal Spot
First off, try to find the best possible location for your wood pile to dry out. A shadowy area that doesn’t see much sun obviously isn’t ideal. Pick a spot that is open, gets a lot of exposure to sunshine and heat, and will catch a lot of breeze on more windy days. All of these factors encourage wood to dry out faster, and you’ll find yourself with better logs for burning when the time to comes to use your fireplace.
Next, find a way to store your wood that keeps it off of the ground. After bad weather, rain, or snowfall, the ground can stay wet for some time, making it nearly impossible for the pieces on the bottom to adequately dry out. It also leads to mold, pest infestation, and decay, all of which make your firewood pretty much unsuitable for use.
You’ll also need to protect the top of your wood pile. Your best option would be to store the wood in a shed that has a roof with open sides. That way, the logs will get the exposure to wind and sun that they need, without diminishing any progress any time it rains or snows. If you don’t have a place like this to store your wood, you can leave it uncovered. Just be sure to put a tarp over it whenever bad weather is present.
Let It Sit
Once you’ve set everything up, all you have to do is wait. Wood should season for at least 6 months before use (preferably longer). This gives it time to release any excess moisture, and you’ll be more than happy with the fires that result.
For more help with your fireplace, chimney, and more, call on the CSIA certified staff at Wells & Sons Chimney Service today! Let’s kick off your holiday season right with an inspection. Pick up the phone now!