We are in the middle of our monsoon wet season here in the PNW. Of course after the rains came pouring down, everybody is looking for dry firewood. I’ve almost sold all of the dry stuff I’ve had under cover. I’ve got lots of wood that was well seasoned stacked outside that is now wet. I move it under cover at the end of the dry season so this is uncharted territory for me. Questions: Would there be any reason not to start moving it under cover now as I get space for it. The wood sheds have open sides and get good airflow. How long would it take to get dry? Not exactly but in general terms would it take as long as it took to originally season it or will it be ready to burn later in this burning season? I’ve got a moisture meter so could do some and figure it out but am hoping to save some time by asking here first. Thanks Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Definitely start moving it. The water you are dealing now is just surface water. It will dry off; really no effect on the seasoning that has already taken place. As soon as it is dried off it should be ready for burning again. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Getting it under cover sooner is better than later. People say it's just surface moisture from rain, but I think it will start soaking in when it's wet for days or weeks on end, especially at the end grain. Will it still be burnable this season? Probably.
My guess is that you will have much better success drying that wood if you can get it inside where it is warmer and the humidity is lower. That said, get it out of the rain ASAP as that is the first step in at least stopping the process of increasing the moisture in your wood. Try messing around with the calculator below to see what your equilibrium moisture content is for given temp and humidity. That will tell you the difference between leaving the wood outside and top covered and bringing some of it inside to dry more thoroughly. Bring a few pieces inside for a week and see how much water evaporates. Online calculator: Equilibrium moisture content
it depends on your situation. in the PNW where it rains almost every day. ya cover it. however if its sunny most days. and in the upper 80's with low humidity its best to let it bake in the sun. I've seen oak stacks covered in michigan take years to season. while the oak wood right next to it. getting full sun. and getting rained on all summer. season in 1 year. some ppl have even put a sprinkler on their wood pile in warm weather to soak the wood so when the water evaporates, over the next few warm days, it pulls out some of the sap with it.
I’ve found here with all the rain and wind we get it doesn’t really do much to top cover if I’m only going to leave it out for one year. It still gets wet. I usually don’t move it until summer time, but word is spreading and I’m selling more wood this year than ever before. Out here there isn’t much dry wood to be found now. Looks like I’ve got enough downed trees in the woodlot to keep me busy for one more year. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I would get it under cover and stack loosely. Should be usable in 2-3 weeks. If we get freezing weather, maybe sooner. Never hurts to leave the next splits to burn near the stove. Cherry or Fir will have a pleasing aroma as it dries further and help keep the house more humid!
Gotta agree with moving it into the shed or at least top cover. Loose stacks too. I did not see what kind of wood you have. If it is a type of pine, one would think faster water absorbson like blacktail said especiaaly end grain. Letting it freeze up wet not good for sure.
