How to Keep Firewood From Rottening
A roaring fire can provide ambiance for a get-together in the summer, warmth for a camping trip and heat throughout the colder seasons. Whether you occasionally build a fire or use a wood stove all winter long, the key to a good fire is good firewood. Wood that is green or rotten not only makes fires unpleasant, it can cause more sparks and dangerous creosote buildup in your chimney. Proper care and storage will prevent your firewood from rotting, making your fires more pleasant and safe. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Season the Wood
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1
Season your wood properly. If you purchase green wood, or wood that has recently been cut, it needs to be seasoned.
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2
Use an ax to split the wood to a size appropriate for your fireplace or wood stove.
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3
Get your firewood off the ground by stacking it in a firewood rack or on a pallet.
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4
Let it age for the duration of the summer. Sun and wind will help the wood season properly, so if possible put the wood in a location away from buildings and with good exposure.
Store the Wood
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5
Keep wood off the ground. Stacking wood directly on the ground will cause it to rot. Store wood on pallets, in a wood rack or in a wood shed.
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6
Cover your wood in the winter with a tarp. Make sure the tarp is secure so it does not get blown off by the wind.
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7
Rotate your stock. Always use the oldest wood first.
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Tips & Warnings
If your summer is not long enough to fully season wood, cover and store it for the winter, then uncover and allow it to season the next summer.
Stack wood carefully to avoid wood falling and causing injury.
