Storing firewood

We use/sell A LOT of firewood. People always ask the same question- “has it been seasoned for over a year?” I always say no.

We cut the logs usually in winter, split it in July, sell it and burn it starting in October (so it ages for about three months). Inevitably, those who think that they know best want our old wood, and I’m super glad to give it to them, otherwise it turns into a waste product.

If wood is kept too long then time has its way with it. It starts to grow mushroom-like growths, gets buggy, some kinds of wood start to get crumbly, the bark comes off and turns to peat moss and some of it absorbs water.

I brought home four skids of two year old wood that we had stacked back then and burned it last night, and everything I said above I observed as I lit the fire.

Each skid takes an hour and a half to stack well. Sure makes for nice easy use for anyone who needs it. I ripped out the AC unit and put in this little door for ease of bringing wood into the house. Really convenient.

Two year old wood on left, three month old wood on right. Which would you rather burn?

I also noticed critter nests- well thought out leaf and grass shreds made into condos for raising “who knows what” kinds of rodents. Hope they are from years past.

When I lit the fire, it burned but kinda sizzled. Hope it’s cause it rained before but I know better. The sizzling was coming from the middle of the ends of the wood.

Water mixed with smoke =creosote which is really acidic and bad for metal and concrete.

If if you buy firewood, go look at it first BEFORE you take it home to avoid multiple problems.

Ill be ok though. I’ve been burning wood for a very long time and my stove can make quick work of anything I put in there.

Takes no time at all to start a fire, even with wet wood. My rules: wood on bottom, both sides and top, bark facing out. Coals from last fire, newspaper or cardboard gently blown upon. Babysit it for five minutes and you’re done!