Covering stacked firewood

I love this forum. You guys have given me some great information.

I have some of my stacks covered in tarps (Camo tarps from Harbor Freight). Is it better to have the sides exposed or wrap it all the way. During the summer I took the tarps off when we had a dry spell. I mostly have oak. I have decided to make a long row of wood and have the ends supported by pallets. Much better use of space. The camo tarps also make it less of an eye sore.

 

Coverings that hang low, impedes air flow. Just a few inches should suffice.

 

Top cover only is the most popular method. You want to get the wood exposed to as much wind and sun as possible. Some would argue that woodpiles that are side wrapped won’t allow the internal moisture to escape, leading to wet wood (and mold).

 

I have about 90% oak. I just stack current years cut. Top cover only the wood for the next 2 years and the wood for the current season is in a shed. Works out great for me. Wood is 16-18% when burned.



Mike in Okla

 

Great tips. Another question I have is how to you know if the wood is dry enough to burn.

 

I crib it so I won’t have any problems with the brackets or 2x. It probably isn’t necessary but it is habit.


Mike in Okla

 

I won’t burn unless it’s under 20%.


Mike in Okla

 

A moisture meter will tell ya the moisture content of your wood. Split a piece and take a reading from the center.

 

I'm a fan of rubber roofing material for a top cover.

 

No wrapping, just a little overhang/draped down the sides. You want that air to flow through the stack. If wrapped, moisture gets trapped and air cant circulate. Wood wont dry and usually gets moldy, fungi etc.

A single row stack will dry better than double or multi rowed stacks, even though i usually will double or triple row as i have limited space.

 

Moisture meter is great to have in your wood hoarding tool arsenal. Split a seasoned split and jab the fresh split face for acccuracy.

Ms. buZZsaw jabs me with mine and says in still wet behind the ears!!!

 

You can use the moisture meter or you can take two splits and smack them together. If they make a hollow sound they're probably dry, if they make a thud when you strike them together you better hold off on burning them.

 

My single row stacks liked to prove gravity is still alive and well and fall down.
Double rows for me leaning in towards each other is my way now. Way I figure it, two drunks leaning on each other can make it a lot farther from the bar than just one trying to stagger home.
Not that I’d know…

I do stack loose in the two row stacks for airflow.
The wood that goes into the shed for this burning season gets OCD’d to fit perfectly into every nook and cranny though!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I do the same. My grandpa taught me to stack so a mouse can get through but not the cat.


Mike in Okla

 

Most of my single rows are stacked in racks made from reclaimed 2x4, 2x6 etc. and hold a half cord. 5'x10' inside dimensions

 

Yeah but how do you keep the mouse from stopping and building a house?!

 

Paul,
Moisture meters go for $20 ish home depot or online.
There are as many answers for what to cover your rows with as there are active members here. I reckon it depends what material you have available at a price you can afford that is effective and perhaps looks presentable.
Inevitably, you find somerthing better, a better way to secure it etc., once you get further in.

Looking good though!!!

SCA

 

Funny you guys mention this. I was unstacking a half cord today and ran into three nests and maybe ten of them scurrying about.