Freshly cut wood has a lot of water, which makes lighting and sustaining a fire very difficult.Even if it does burn, wet wood dies quickly and creates more smoke and soot.It is best to plan at least six months ahead.All you have to do is stack the wood carefully and wait for the sun to dry it out.
Step 1: It's a good idea to get wood early.
Purchase or cut down firewood six months before you plan to burn it.For the best results, give it more time to dry.It is possible to collect wood a year in advance.The climate can affect drying times.If you live in a wet region, allow for more time.elm and oak are denser species of wood.
Step 2: It's a good idea to choose a safe work area.
Unless you bought firewood that has already been split, you should cut and split it yourself.Make sure the area is open enough for you to use a saw or ax.Good footing is ensured when you level the ground.People and pets should not be near the work area.When you begin cutting and splitting, check behind you frequently to make sure no one approaches.
Step 3: Cut logs into rounds.
Measure the dimensions of your fireplace, furnace, or any other area where you will burn wood.If the wood needs to be inserted into that space, subtract three inches from its length or width.Measure and mark where to cut the log.Use a saw or ax to divide them into equal lengths.Some people prefer to cut larger-than-needed rounds since wood shrinks as it dries.If you are a beginner, cut smaller pieces until you know how much you will lose.Cut smaller rounds if you live in a wet climate.It will be easier to stack them if you cut uniform lengths of wood.
Step 4: The wood needs to be split.
Place the chopping block on the ground.The round should have a cut side facing up.Cut the round in half from the top down.If necessary, split the wood to fit into your fireplace, furnace, or other wood burner.If your wood burner will fit a whole round, split the wood at least once.It is important to expose as much of the inner wood as possible.For a quicker drying time, split the wood into smaller pieces.You can split the wood into different sizes.Small pieces and larger pieces will burn longer.
Step 5: The area is ideal for stacking.
Pick an outdoor space that gets little to no shade in order to maximize solar drying.Pick an area that is open to prevailing winds or air currents.Avoid areas that are prone to flooding.The direction of your region's prevailing winds can be determined by referring to almanacs or weather stations.Air currents will move up and down the face of hills if your land is hilly.
Step 6: You can map out your row.
If possible, stack your wood in a row with the cut ends receiving the strongest air currents.Over multiple rows, favor this method.Equal air circulation can be achieved by enabling all of your wood.Space your row as far apart from each other as possible to allow the most air between them, if space does not permit one long row of wood.
Step 7: A raised bed can be created.
firewood should be kept off the ground.Avoid rot that collects below.Concrete or a grid made of poles will not absorb water.If you have no other use for wooden materials, use them in a pinch.The bed needs to be level for safer stacking.If you use wood, line the top of the bed with tarps, plastic sheeting, or similar materials to block the transfer of water from the wood underneath to the wooden top.Make drainage holes in the materials so water doesn't pool on top.
Step 8: Make bookends.
Place the bottom layer of split wood along the length of the raised bed first.All of the cut ends should face the same direction.Then, at either end of your row, create a second layer with the cut ends facing in a different direction.By alternating the direction that each layer faces, you can build up both ends of your row.You can either build the ends as you go or build them all at once.If you build them all at once, stop once they are four feet high.In the event of a collapse, the top of the pile will be below head-level for most adults.The bookends should be used with your best pieces.Check all sides of the wood for evenness.It's a good idea to discard any that seems to go from one end to the other.A less stable structure may result from such pieces.The bark should be facing up.The bark will help shelter the exposed wood from the rain.
Step 9: Stack your wood.
Between the bookends, begin your second layer.The cut ends should face the same direction as the bottom layer.To cover two pieces in the bottom layer, set each piece so that it straddles where the two bottom pieces meet.Continue until the pile is four feet high.Place each piece with the bark facing up to protect it from the rain.When needed, fill gaps with smaller pieces.If the layer is strong enough to support the next, leave gaps.
Step 10: If you want to cover it.
Should you leave the pile as is or should you protect it from the rain?Use black or clear plastic to cover it.If you want the best results, support the sheeting with materials other than the pile itself.The wood absorbs condensation from the plastic by direct contact.It could result in tears in the plastic due to the reduced air flow.Black materials absorb heat.Direct sunlight can be allowed by clear materials.Unless you have a lot of rain or a short drying season, leaving your pile uncovered will result in dry firewood by the time you need it.
Step 11: Take a look at the color.
The exact shade of wood varies from species to species, so expect your wood to grow darker as it dries.You should note how bright the inside is when you split the wood.Wait for the wood to fade into a yellow or grayish color before burning.
Step 12: It's a good time to smell for sap.
If you first split your wood, hold a piece up to your nose and breathe in deep.You should be familiar with its smell.Pick a test piece from your pile when you are ready to burn wood.Take a whiff after splitting it open.Place it back in the pile if you still detect it.
Step 13: The bark should be tested.
The wood is safe for burning if most or all of the bark has fallen off.If you don't, slice the bark with a knife.The wood should be inspected immediately underneath.Allow the greenish pieces more time to dry.
Step 14: Judge by density.
You should note how heavy each piece is when you split it.Once it loses its water weight, the piece will weigh less.Knock two pieces together to make sure it's dried.They should be considered dried if they sound hollow.
Step 15: Make a fire.
For a test fire, assemble a few pieces.If either the kindling or the larger pieces don't catch fire, give them more time to dry.Listen for the sound of water if they catch it.