Drying firewood is an important step in preparing it for use, as wet wood burns less efficiently and produces more smoke and creosote buildup in chimneys. We all live in the north of Scotland so making the best use of the warmer seasons in combination with the following tips will keep you right. Here are some tips for drying firewood:
- Split the wood: Splitting the wood into smaller pieces will increase the surface area exposed to the air, which will help it dry faster.
- Stack the wood in a sunny location: Stack the wood in a sunny location, with the bark side facing up and the ends exposed to the sun. This will help to evaporate the moisture from the wood.
- Allow air to circulate: Stack the wood in a way that allows air to circulate around it. This can be done by stacking it in a criss-cross pattern, or by using a rack to hold the wood off the ground.
- Cover the top of the stack: Cover the top of the stack with a tarp or plastic sheeting to protect it from rain.
- Be patient: Drying firewood can take several months, depending on the type of wood, the humidity and the temperature.
- Use a moisture meter: A moisture meter is a tool that will help you measure the moisture content of the wood, it will help you to know when the wood is dry enough to use, typically when the moisture content is below 20%.
Always check if the wood you are using is appropriate for your appliance. We recommend that you get your chimney swept on a regular basis to get rid of residue buildup after burning.