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Does Firewood Dry Better Stacked or Piled?

Does Firewood Dry Better Stacked or Piled

Stacking your firewood, as opposed to having your firewood in a pile, will help it dry faster. When it comes to drying firewood, having it methodically stacked outside is always the best. Freshly cut firewood usually contains about 30-50% moisture content, which is higher than the recommended level of between 15-20% that’s needed to burn. In order to achieve this recommended level, firewood must have constant (or near-constant) exposure to both wind and sunlight. Seasoned firewood – wood that has been dried for a specific length of time – takes anywhere from six months to a year to achieve. 

This moisture content level is imperative to starting a fire and sustaining it. If your firewood is too wet, it will create a lot of smoke, which could stain your windows and other areas of your house if you’re trying to ignite a flame in your fireplace. Furthermore, wet firewood, if you’re lucky enough to get it to burn, will often produce little to no heat. It can also cause the flame to flicker out more quickly. 

Though stacking takes more time and effort, it’s an effective way to dry your firewood compared to piling since piling will result in more firewood staying wet for longer periods of time. 

Best Time of Year to Dry Firewood

Because of the integral role sun and wind exposure play in drying firewood, you’ll have the most success during the spring and summer months, regardless of where you live in the continental U.S. During warmer climates, it’ll usually take about six to nine months for your firewood to become fully seasoned. 

How to Stack Firewood To Help it Dry Faster

When you go to stack your firewood, the first thing you need to do is locate a spot outside that will provide sufficient sun exposure. Choosing a spot that’s in the shade will make it more difficult to dry. Once you’ve picked your location, you will want to stack your wood in a single row and in a crisscross pattern with pillars at each end.

These pillars will help keep your logs in place and prevent them from spilling over. When stacking the firewood, remember to leave ample space between the logs so air can pass through them. This will help them dry faster.

The easiest way to store and season your firewood is with a firewood log rack like this one by Woodhaven. Its structural integrity is very sound, and will keep your firewood off of the ground. It also comes with its own cover that will cover the top 12″ of your firewood.

Techniques for Drying Firewood

In addition to stacking, there are several other techniques you can use to dry firewood. However, not all of these will be as efficient as stacking. Other techniques include: 

  • Purchasing a firewood moisture meter to determine the wood’s moisture content
  • Purchasing a wood rack or woodshed to keep your logs elevated and off the ground and away from any moisture. Please note that if you decide to store your firewood in a woodshed, it could take anywhere from 18-24 months for your firewood to fully dry. 
  • Piling your firewood 

Will Firewood Dry in a Pile? 

Yes, but it won’t be nearly as efficient as stacking. Unlike stacking, which allows every piece of wood to be exposed to wind and sunlight, piling isn’t nearly as consistent. This is because the majority of the firewood will be buried in an uneven pile, resulting in the pieces on top drying faster than those on the bottom. This means that the length of time it’ll take to dry your firewood could increase from six months to a year to almost two. 

It’s important to keep in mind that the length of time it’ll take you to dry your firewood in a pile outside will vary based upon your geographical location. For example, if you live in a warm, drier climate like California, Florida, or Arizona, you’re probably going to have more success drying your firewood in a pile than you would if you lived in the rainy, cloud-covered Pacific Northwest. 

How to Know if Your Firewood is Dry

The easiest way to determine if your firewood is dry is to check to see if it has cracks in the grain toward the end of the log. Dry firewood will usually be darker in color, lighter to pick up, have cracks and make a hollow sound when banged against another log. You can also do the following to double-check that your firewood is dry:

  • Feel the ends of the logs; if they’re warm and dry then they’re fully seasoned. Firewood that isn’t seasoned will usually be cold and damp. 
  • Look at the color of the logs; dry firewood will usually be grayish in color. 
  • Check to see if any bark is missing or if the bark peels back easily; if it does, it’s a sign that your firewood is fully dry. 
  • Smell it; dry firewood won’t smell like wood. This is because the moisture content is usually what gives firewood its distinctive scent. 

Another way you can determine whether or not your firewood is dry is by lighting it. Toss a small piece of firewood into either your fire pit or fireplace. If it catches on fire within one minute, then it’s dry and ready to use. If it doesn’t, then it’s not seasoned yet and needs more time. 

What Happens If Your Piled Firewood Doesn’t Dry

In some cases, the firewood that’s buried toward the bottom will never dry and instead rot or develop fungus. The development of fungus is extremely problematic, especially if you choose to go ahead and burn it anyway. Burning moldy wood can release spores that can result in eye and throat irritation, coughing, and sneezing. These symptoms can also further agitate those who have asthma or other respiratory conditions. 

Final Thoughts

While piling your firewood may be the less-time consuming method of getting it to dry, it’s not efficient. Stacking allows your firewood to dry evenly, giving you faster access to the firewood you need to cook and power and heat your home. It also yields more consistent results, which allows you to accurately gauge when your firewood will be fully seasoned and if it’ll be ready to get you through an upcoming winter season or cold snap. 

When you’re stacking your firewood, remember to always place logs that are similar in length next to one another in order to retain stability. The more firewood you stack, the more difficult it will be for them to get adequate sun and wind exposure. Be sure to never stack more than two rows deep. 

Remember, the goal of stacking is to dry your firewood so you want to minimize any exposure it has to the elements, particularly the ground when it gets wet. You can lay down a pallet or post on the ground and start stacking above it. This will help to retain stability and keep it protected from the ground elements that could delay your drying time.

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