Are you looking to use seasoned firewood for your fireplace this Fall or Winter? Seasoned wood is made by storing away and drying out wood for a whole season before use. Wood can take 1 to 2 years to become adequately seasoned! It can reduce the moisture in the wood to make it burn better. If you use wood with a lot of moisture, your stove or fireplace will not be fuel-efficient.
How Can You Tell if Firewood is Seasoned?
Here are some ways to tell if your firewood is seasoned correctly for use:
Color of the Wood
There are a few ways to tell if you have seasoned firewood to use for your fireplace or woodstove. The first way to be able to tell is by looking at the color. When wood ages, it fades in color. Seasoned wood will get paler over time, which is what you want. The lighter the wood is, the longer it’s been seasoned.
Size of the Wood
The bigger the wood, the longer it will take to season. If you want larger pieces of seasoned wood, make sure they have been in the process of seasoning for a while. Otherwise, opting for smaller pieces may be your better option.
Why is it Important to use Seasoned Wood?
If you want to get the most heat out of your fireplace and increase your fireplace’s efficiency, seasoned wood is the best choice. It will also keep your fireplace or stove in use for a lot longer. Wood with high moisture can damage your unit, so seasoned firewood is the best choice to keep your fireplace running.
Seasoning Your Own Firewood
Here are some tips for seasoning your own firewood:
Plan Out a Good Amount of Time
If you want seasoned firewood for next Fall and Winter, start planning now. Being able to have it season for this long will give you better results!
Cut The Wood Correctly
You may want to opt for smaller pieces of wood, especially if this is your first time seasoning on your own. Cut larger pieces in half, so you still have the same amount of wood, but it will get the results you are looking for faster.
Storing the Wood
Pick a spot that is dry and where the wood won’t be affected by the outdoor elements. This could be your garage or shed or another place where they can be stacked correctly.
Contact New England Hearth & Home
If you are looking for more fireplace tips or are interested in our fireplace services, contact us today! New England Hearth & Home is happy to provide you with the best fireplaces in MA! Give us a call or fill out our contact form to get in touch.