Can you season wood too well?

Western Pomise

Hi all,

Have posted a question in Forestry thread but it doesn't tend to get much viewer traffic there.My question basically is can native timber cut into small blocks for firewood become too well seasoned or dried out?....if left for a few years before using it?

If anyone has time please take a quick look at my fuller question in Forestry thread,
Thanks very much😀,
W.P.

kay 9

The drier it is the hotter, faster and cleaner it will burn. 20% moisture is the usual aim. Best of both worlds. What type of timber is it? Hardwood has a much higher value.

Western Pomise

Ash and oak.....don't want it burning too quickly though!😀

patsy_mccabe

Just close in the damper on the stove. The more moisture there is the timber, the more heat is wasted converting that water into steam. Steam that just goes up the chimney. The drier the better, I think anyway. Never really that dry anyway in our wet damp climate.

cruizer101

Timber will reach a point where it doesn't really dry out any more when it's moisture level is balanced with the average humidity beyond that it won't change much.

This will also happen kiln dried wood, it will be drier when fresh from kiln but well gradully pick up moisture from the air to reach same moisture level as wood dried for long time.

ford2600

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

Just close in the damper on the stove. The more moisture there is the timber, the more heat is wasted converting that water into steam. Steam that just goes up the chimney. The drier the better, I think anyway. Never really that dry anyway in our wet damp climate.

Yep less moisture the better.

Fire is a chemical reaction where first wood gases burn off followed by charcoal.

Extra water only reduces temperature and thereby the efficiency.

Youwill struggle to get under 20% anyhow with air drying.

Leave the oak until last it's difficult to season.

For high efficiency a good quality AND correctly installed stove is key.

Most of the wood I burn is 5 yrs cut

Username John

ford2600 wrote: »

Yep less moisture the better.

Fire is a chemical reaction where first wood gases burn off followed by charcoal.

Extra water only reduces temperature and thereby the efficiency.

Youwill struggle to get under 20% anyhow with air drying.

Leave the oak until last it's difficult to season.

For high efficiency a good quality AND correctly installed stove is key.

Most of the wood I burn is 5 yrs cut

How long does oak take to season?

We would usually burn ash, which is usually grand after 12 months...

ford2600

Username John wrote: »

How long does oak take to season?

We would usually burn ash, which is usually grand after 12 months...

Time isn't the only variable so hard to give a time.

If you are happy with ash after 12 months I'd be giving oak twice that. It's great fuel, shame not to have it properly dry

Western Pomise

Thanks everyone for the replies.😀