Need opinions. What should I do with 3 month old wood?

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mbk2000

mbk2000

New Member
Nov 24, 2007
43
Coastal Maine
Well, I'm pretty sure now that I'm not going to make the winter with the wood that I have so I'm ordering at least another cord. I think I've found a more honest seller this time, though, as my current "seasoned" wood is questionable. (live and learn.) This seller has wood cut and split 3 months ago--cheaper and not seasoned, of course, but maybe even equal to what I have now.
My question is, would it be better to put it in the garage with a box fan blowing on it, or right out in the sun and wind (and snow) under a tarp in the backyard? I'm hoping to have it reasonable for use in late February.
I know about the garage/ humidifier trick but we can't purchase one right now nor do I think it will work well in the single digit temps of the garage. Basement is also not a option for me.
 
Not sure as I've not faced this situation before. However, my gut feeling is to say leave it outdoors in the sun and wind.

If you buy wood for next year, leave it uncoverd this summer and if possible in the sun and where the wind will go though the pile. Don't cover it until the fall rains come. It will allow for better evaporation that way.
 
Leave it outside stacked loosely and uncovered. These cold, dry New England winter days are great for wood drying. But the wood most likely won't be properly seasoned as soon as February. Good Luck
 
chrisN said:
Leave it outside stacked loosely and uncovered. These cold, dry New England winter days are great for wood drying. But the wood most likely won't be properly seasoned as soon as February. Good Luck
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If you can have it covered so it still exposed to the full south sun will help. I dry wood on a south covered outside porch in winter it works great.
 
DriftWood said:
chrisN said:
Leave it outside stacked loosely and uncovered. These cold, dry New England winter days are great for wood drying. But the wood most likely won't be properly seasoned as soon as February. Good Luck
Click to expand...

If you can have it covered so it still exposed to the full south sun will help. I dry wood on a south covered outside porch in winter it works great.
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I have a north/south facing lot. So the long end of the stack should face south, parallel with the house, right? Westerly winds, southern sun, never sure which way to face the pile.
 
I don't think it will be ready. Wood just doesn't dry well in the winter. The water inside it is frozen. Find another dealer or by some bio logs.
 
Todd said:
I don't think it will be ready. Wood just doesn't dry well in the winter. The water inside it is frozen. Find another dealer or by some bio logs.
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I have to disagree. The relative humidity in the winter hovers down around 35 to 40%, much much lower than in the summer. As far as the water being frozen, it goes away through the magic of sublimation. That being said, if the wood is recently cut it will still most likely burn pretty crappy if used this season.
 
chrisN said:
Todd said:
I don't think it will be ready. Wood just doesn't dry well in the winter. The water inside it is frozen. Find another dealer or by some bio logs.
Click to expand...

I have to disagree. The relative humidity in the winter hovers down around 35 to 40%, much much lower than in the summer. As far as the water being frozen, it goes away through the magic of sublimation. That being said, if the wood is recently cut it will still most likely burn pretty crappy if used this season.
Click to expand...

I've heard about sublimation before and I'm not convinced. ice is ice, and I don't see how it can evaporate when it's below freezing. But hey, I've been wrong before.
 
Think of this Todd: if there is snow on the ground and you have several days of dry, cold weather, the snow disappears. That is sublimation. I promise you it's a real phenomenon! :)
 
I agree that the dry, cold outside air would speed the process but I guess not as fast as I need it to. Considering the crud that is falling out of my chimney with my current wood, looks like bio bricks for me this year. Next year, I'll have more time to prepare. You guys are a great source of help. Many thanks!
 
I ain't buying it. In winter here, unless it gets warm or warm & rains, the snow goes nowhere. The snow just builds up on top of each previous snow. Last year, we had snow on the ground for most the winter. Don't know bout there, but here the only way it goes down, or away is when its warm enough to melt.
 
"Snow and other water ices also sublimate, although more slowly, at below-freezing temperatures. This phenomenon, used in freeze drying, allows wet cloth to be hung outdoors in freezing weather and retrieved later in a dry state."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sublimation_(chemistry)
 
Ok , I get it, but firewood won't dry nearly as fast in a dry winter compared to a dry summer. I just don't see the radial cracks on the split ends like I do in the spring, summer, and fall.
 
Set the wood aside for next year. It's a bummer, but take heart that most of us have had this happen to us at least once. The next time have no qualms about rejecting unseasoned wood unless that's what you ordered.
 
Todd said:
Ok , I get it, but firewood won't dry nearly as fast in a dry winter compared to a dry summer. I just don't see the radial cracks on the split ends like I do in the spring, summer, and fall.
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Agreed, no comparison in winter summer drying times but it does dry somewhat even in winter stacked correctly in a good spot with top cover. However, I agree with most everyone else that it just isn't gonna be this years wood. You've got a great start for next year though.
 
Maybe you could do a trade with a neighbor for some of their seasoned wood too get you through?
 
darren Allen said:
I say use the stuff. It will burn. I have burned "green" wood before, never had a problem.
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No offense, but you can't justify a mistake by pointing at a mistake. Its akin to someone who smokes for 10 years and tells younger kids that it is ok to smoke because it hasnt caused them any problems yet after 10 years of smoking. There are known added risks and consequences for burning green wood.
 
chrisN said:
Leave it outside stacked loosely and uncovered. These cold, dry New England winter days are great for wood drying. But the wood most likely won't be properly seasoned as soon as February. Good Luck
Click to expand...

Uncovered? Hmmmm... I really don't know about this advice???
 
Jim Walsh said:
chrisN said:
Leave it outside stacked loosely and uncovered. These cold, dry New England winter days are great for wood drying. But the wood most likely won't be properly seasoned as soon as February. Good Luck
Click to expand...

Uncovered? Hmmmm... I really don't know about this advice???
Click to expand...

That's the beauty of this site. You can take or leave any advice given. As for me, I have a 4'X8' tarp that I use it to cover the wood I am actively taking into the house. The rest of my pile stays uncovered 24/7, 365 days/yr. After sitting stacked for a year the wood is completely ready to burn. Any surface wetness is inconsequential.
 
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