Been there done that it works. With my setup I filled the fireplace behind the stove and made another stack to the left. While burning one stack the other is drying then vice versa. Using the infrared the wood was usally in the 150-160 temp range. I also resplit any of the bigger chunks to speed things up. Wet wood should dry fairly quickly. Much faster than green anyway. Much of the wood I brought in the basement this year was seasoned but wet. Bought a dehumidifier. It surely takes time but it’s better than nothing.
You are in good company Firebroad, ...or bad depending how you look at it. It seems New Jersey has had more rainy days than sunny ones since late spring. I am so sick of it and here we go again today! I am fortunate that though my property is small, I have built about 5 small wood shelters each averaging 1/2 cord. They are all made in varying styles to fit what the limited space the area of my property will dictate. They are nothing fancy and built with reclaimed construction wood and pallets. I made them initially because I enjoy the convenience of not having to deal with tarps including covering and uncovering especially when snow covered. I also like the structured side supports so I don't have to fuss with careful stacking to avoid collapses. This summer I realized another benefit which is the overhanging roofs keeping most of the rain off. However like you said we have had many days with windblown rain and then all the dampness and humidity from the cloudy or drizzly days to follow. This year is the first time that I have noticed I'm growing fungus and wood ears in my "drying" wood stacks! Sometimes I wonder if I should become a mushroom farmer haha! But seriously I think I'm fairing better than some because of my covered roofed shelters. So far my wood has been a little sluggish to get cruising, but is doing acceptable with some splits needing to be placed in front of stove as many here have suggested already. By the way, many good suggestions here, but unfortunately nothing we try can completely undo this horribly wet season. Good luck on a full recovery from injury and maybe next year you can construct some simple shelters.
Agree about the mushrooms! Ha ha! Unfortunately, I couldn't build sheds/shelters with TWO good arms--and this bum one may never be right. But I keep pushing it...
I built a large lean to type shelter on the back of a garage. It is 38 by 12 I think. Most of my wood is perfect as I leave three sides open to let the prevailing winds howl thru. If you can swing it, build big!!!!! All of your wood will be in one spot and under cover.
i feel for all of you with wet wood. this year has been a tough one for us on the right coast. if you are stacking for next year all i can say is TARPS. i use mainly rubber roofing but anything will work. Anything to keep the rain from soaking down thru the stack. Ends dry fast with sun and wind. good luck all.
How is that standing up to daily use ( if you are in and out of it daily ) ? We have one that the garbage cans used to be kept in and now that the town went to bigger rolling containers that don't fit it's just got junk in it. I was tempted to put it on the deck for firewood but didn't think it would stand up to a lot of use in really cold weather.
Well I have had it for 12 years and it is still standing. I had to put a rack in it otherwise it would spread apart and it doesn’t get used daily, just to store “emergency “ wood, but I open and close it about 7 or 8 times a year. It is tougher than it looks. When it breaks apart at times I just snap it back together. I think it would be fine for firewood.
There is a lot black mold and mildew this year too. Fresh Snow and a good hard freeze last night should help me clean up the outward facing rows on my wood shacks.
