New method of faster seasoning?

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.
turn_n_burn

turn_n_burn

Burning Hunk
Aug 14, 2015
174
Idaho
I just scored a pickup load of silver maple that came down to make room for a parking lot, and it is GREEN. I really don't wanna wait 2 years to burn it, and I had an idea. So with a split of wood you basically have just the outside surface area bleeding off the moisture, and this huge interior space where ambient air will not reach. What if a guy who had some time on his hands (like me) was to drill a couple of 1/4 inch holes thru the split either crosswise to the grain or parallel to it? I would think this would provide a passage for water vapor that would normally be trapped in the very center of the split, and help it dry faster and more evenly. Anybody ever tried this or know if it would speed things up?
 
You won't have to wait for two years; I've found that soft Maple, split now to medium size (like 4" on a side) will easily be dry by next fall. That aside, I guess drilling a couple holes would have to help, just not sure how much. Seems like a lot of work.
 
Split small and get the same result.
 
I live in WI and silver maple dries in short order here. 6 months would be a long time for me. I am used to 2-3 months drying time on that stuff. Split to about 4 inches and stack it where it will get air flow and be dry. Have fun.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mtarbert and TedyOH
I do believe that rounds out the list....yep, I think I have now heard it all with association to firewood.;lol;lol;lol
 
  • Like
Reactions: 7acres, D8Chumley, HybridFyre and 2 others
Isaac Carlson said:
I live in WI and silver maple dries in short order here. 6 months would be a long time for me. I am used to 2-3 months drying time on that stuff. Split to about 4 inches and stack it where it will get air flow and be dry. Have fun.
Click to expand...

Yep. Hard maple is a different beast I've heard, but the silver is easy. Spit it, stack it, and burn it next season.


If you have time on your hands to consider drilling holes in firewood, you need to find something useful to do.
 
Like you said, surface area is key. Think about how much more surface area there is by making the split smaller than by drilling a hole. There is your answer.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Woody Stover
Jags said:
I do believe that rounds out the list....yep, I think I have now heard it all with association to firewood.;lol;lol;lol
Click to expand...

Out of stacking space? Drill holes and run rope through each split, throw the other end of the rope through a tree limb and hang the split from the tree for maximum exposed drying surface and air flow. :) I think of it as christmas decoration. Just be sure to duck when you are mowing the lawn. THERE, now the list is complete.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NickDL, Omaha419, Soundchasm and 1 other person
Think I'll stick with my tried and true method of seasoning wood . . . cut, split, stack and wait for 1-3 years before burning it . . . it may not be all that glamorous or quick . . . but it beats making my firewood look like Swiss cheese.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mtarbert and D8Chumley
will be interesting in the stove - lots of tiny turbo's flaring out the ends. Ever put a hollow log into the fire pit standing up and create a chimney effect? I save all my hollows for summer, bon fire burning. Could have that on a small scale all winter long - INDOORS
 
6 to 8 months it'll be under 17% (silver maple)
 
I suspect your 'time' would be better invested building a solar drying kiln. Even something simple with PVC and plastic would dry the wood as fast, or faster...plus you only have to invest the time to build it once... then the wood drying after that is 'free'. Drilling the holes has to be done with every piece...every time, plus the extra surface area of a 1/4" diameter hole is virtually nothing compared to the split face of the wood - so I doubt it would help much.
 
Even with a lot of time, I would rather split it 3 inches thick than drill holes. Holes would probably only help dry a small area where the hole is anyway.
 
I agree with others. Just split small. A lot less work than drilling.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

CamFan
Some may like this
Replies
3
Views
2K
Fisher Stove Information, Parts, History and More
Todd67
Todd67
webfish
  • Locked
General SHOULD OPEN FIREPLACES BE ILLEGAL
Replies
0
Views
10K
Articles
webfish
webfish
J
  • Locked
Pine seasoning
Replies
16
Views
1K
The Wood Shed
Backwoods Savage
Backwoods Savage
D
  • Locked
Trouble with new basement woodstove -- part 3
Replies
37
Views
2K
The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
Wet1
Wet1
Top Bottom
Back