Save a fortune seasoning your own wood

Cost of wood fuel after Brexit

We all know about the potential cost savings and benefits to the environmental associated with the modern day wood-burning stove. There has been significant press coverage about the pros and cons of wood-burning stoves and while we all have our own idea of how to use them, how many of us are actually maximising our time and the efficiency of our stoves?

When looking at any machine it is worth considering where efficiencies and cost savings can the made with regards to the type of fuel used. In this instance we will take a look at how you can acquire the cheapest good quality wood fuel and the drying out process.

Seasoning your own wood

Even though it is possible to save money in the longer term by buying in seasoned wood for your wood-burning stove, there are even greater cost savings if you can season the wood yourself. It is essential that the wood is properly seasoned before use so you can get the best burn and the greatest heat. There are three main stages of seasoning your own wood which include:-

Save a fortune seasoning your own wood
Save a fortune seasoning your own wood

Fresh wood

Often referred to as “green wood” this is freshly felled would which can have a moisture content of up to 50%. It is relatively easy to differentiate between any other types of wood because it is lighter in colour, the bark will still be attached and there will be few if any cracks (in many cases it will feel moist to touch). If you are able to obtain fresh felled wood this is where you have the potential to save most money.

Air dry

The process of air drying wood is relatively simple and can reduce the moisture content from 50% down to as low as 25%. It is worth noting that wood can hold water both within the cells and the cell walls which is why it is so moist when first felled. The best way to air dry wood is to place it in an area which is exposed to the elements but ensure that it is placed on pallets or other materials to ensure no moisture is absorbed through the ground. It is also important that while the wood is covered from rain and snow there is still significant wind ventilation otherwise it will rot as opposed to dry.

Wood-burning stoves helping government to reach carbon reduction targets
Wood-burning stoves helping government to reach carbon reduction targets

This process can take up to two summers and a winter for hardwoods while softer woods can obtain the critical moisture rating with just one spring and summer. This will obviously depend upon the weather at the time but in theory there is a significant difference between drying process for softwood and hardwood.

House dry wood

The final stage of drying out your wood is to bring it into the house just a couple of days before it will be required. This will bring the moisture content down to around 20% which is acceptable for the modern day wood-burning stove. While you should monitor the moisture content with a moisture meter through all of the stages, the most important reading is the final house dry reading which should be no greater than 20%.

Conclusion

As with any machine the higher the quality fuel which is used the greater the efficiency and the greater the output. It is no different for your modern day wood-burning stove, if you use poor quality substandard fuel or over moist wood you will get nowhere near the published efficiency ratings. This is where perceived cost savings on substandard wood will turn out to be more expensive in the long term and potentially damaging to your stove.

It is worth taking a look at seasoning your own wood, if it is done properly!