What is best way to dry wood?

[tgarland]

Hi.
I usually store wood in my garage. Someone told me today best way of storing it was outside - exposed to sunshine and covered. That right?

tom

 

[BrotherBart]

Defiantly outside so that the air can get to it. If it gets air and sun then twice as good for drying.

 

[Sandor]

Hi.
I usually store wood in my garage. Someone told me today best way of storing it was outside - exposed to sunshine and covered. That right?

tom

That is right.

Short term storage in the garage is fine.... like before a blizzard or a week of rain during the buring season.

 

[Mo Heat]

Some say the Holz Hausen (or holz haufen) is the best way to dry wood.

You'd probably want to build one of those bad boys outdoors!

Here's a link to another holz hausen thread: https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/1726/

 

[fbelec]

if you built one in the attic it would be dry by july. just think of putting that 120 or so degree dry temp to work. does anyone have a crane :ahhh:

 

[Rhone]

Best way to dry wood is outside. I think most will agree, the fastest way to dry wood is

#1 the sun, having your wood in the sun and no wind, is better than having it in the wind and no sun.

#2 the wind. The same size puddle, the one with wind blowing across it will dry faster than the one without.

#3 covering the tops helps a bit particularly if your piles don't get a lot of sun.

My father lives 4 houses down and has his wood piles right up to a tall solid plastic fence that's in the perfect orientation to prevent the wind from blowing through his piles. They're in direct sunlight though for around 6 hours a day. I have my wood piles in the open and the wind freely blows through them 24/7 but they don't get a lot of sunlight (neighbors trees). My fathers takes 4-5 months and mine 7-8.

I guess one can think of your wood like what's best to dry wet laundry, hanging your wet laundry in the garage is probably not a good idea. Hanging it outside in the shade won't work as well as hanging it in the sun either. But, put it in the sun, wind, and air it will dry quick.