I found that a week ago. Interesting for sure. I wonder if stacked all the way to the roof would yield the same results as covered??
I would have guessed the lean to would act as a slight wind break. And the corrugated covered stacks in the open would dry quicker. Maybe the open stacks are still getting slightly wet on the ends when the rain is coming sideways?
I thought the same thing!! It's interesting for sure. I once sprayed down half a pile of fresh splits with the hose, the next day, the sprayed down wood was dry and full of checks. The unsprayed wood looked the same as the day before. Based on that I figured wood dried best getting rained on. Just like licking your lips all day would dry your lips out. Wood sheds seem to have a universal design that has been designed and tested long before me. Looks like the old timers really knew their stuff, and they did it without moisture meters.
Thanks for sharing and very interesting indeed. I always try and top cover. Although I think I have a rack that's currently not . I know some people don't at all but for me it just makes sense for my property setup. Lots of tree canopy and not much sun. Mixed bag of metal roofing, tarps, pool liner, and a couple of firewood sheds. Wood sheds by far are my fav, no fuss or hassle. I may try and build another big one this spring and eliminate more racks.
I top cover because Backwoods Savage said it led to better results. And we all know his grandfather was around for the invention of fire
As they say, " long time listener, first time caller..." I greatly enjoyed this link although I am a tarp man. Admittedly my old man did fine for 40 years with uncovered stack off the ground and an old Bat Cave insert. I may have missed it, but did anyone see if he would continue the experiment to months 12, 18, and 24months out? That would be very interesting. "The only time the world seems to make sense is when I am splitting firewood...."
Welcome to the club! I doubt the results would be different as you went longer. At least until each one hit equilibrium with the environment.
I have said that several times here over the years and always get a lot of pushback. Its true—The wetting and drying out cycle actually helps wood season faster. I know what I see and observe so I just do my own thing.
I watch his videos as well. The wood he stacks in totes and covers are out in the middle and around the edges of a pretty large field. Air circulation is maximized. I imagine that the wood still gets rained on and plenty of sun. Some of my wood is against the house and a stockade fence. I crib the ends and a stack in the center and leave 3-4 inches between the wood and the fence/wall to keep an air gap. I moisture test the center of a fresh split here and there and the wood going into the stove next is always under 15%. I buy my wood from a guy that splits to a conveyor and makes cone shaped stacks that are pretty big. 18-24 months later it gets in the rotation for delivery. He has been in business for many years and hand loads the wood. If he grabs a piece that isn't ready, it gets tossed into another pile.
In our climate, a woodshed makes more sense. Fortunately, our woodshed has the W wind blowing the hot air downdraft in the summer from the attic of the house so it almost kiln dried. In the winter, the SE wind blows right through.
I cut and split during the winter and throw onto a big pallet covered area. there it sits in the weather all winter, in the early spring it gets stacked in the building. there it sits for 3 years before it gets burned. It must be dry enough , when I clean the chimney there was less than a coffee cup of creosote dust in the entire system.
First couple years I heated with wood many many years ago, I did not top cover. One long rank in an open field and I noticed how the top couple courses of splits were always a little heavier than ones under that. Never had a moisture meter back then and burnt it anyway mixing it with splits from the middle, but would bet they were much higher MC. I started and still do top cover with good results.
I would like to cover, or be under a roof, but am not. I’m in S WI, snowfall is limited. I do cover the pile I’m using, as needed. I take some dry firewood inside the garage, then a large wood box near the stove. With my rotation system I do ok. I have been caught just a few times during extended snowy periods.
