Storage of Firewood

Among other things, damp firewood reduces the effectiveness of the fireplace. When you light the wood, the water first evaporates. The consequences are heavy smoke and a significant loss of energy. The dense smoke that is created also causes a higher level of fine dust pollution, which should disturb your neighbors and generally do the environment no favors. On the other hand, dry firewood increases the efficiency of the stove and protects nature, neighbors, and your wallet.

However, the development of smoke is a problem; rot and mold can also spread in damp wood so that in the worst-case scenario, it can no longer be used as firewood. It dries fastest in the garden or on a sunny house wall if it has moisture in it.

Make sure the surface is dry. Paving stones or Euro pallets under the logs prevent your firewood from pulling moisture out of the floor while it is in storage.

Adequate ventilation is essential to prevent mold and rot. Therefore, you should not place the logs too closely together and leave at least five centimeters away from house walls or walls.

Make sure you have enough rain protection, preferably with a small roof. Plastic sheeting is not suitable for covering because moisture quickly builds up underneath.

With good firewood, storage lasts at least one to two years. You can use a measuring device to check how much moisture is left. Only when the value is below 20 percent is the wood suitable for burning. These two simple tricks will help determine if your firewood is dry enough.

In the detergent test, you put a small detergent drop on the end of a wooden log and rub it in gently. Then you blow hard into the wood at the other end. If bubbles form on the detergent side, the firewood is in ideal condition and ready for the fireplace. The explanation: The small channels in the wood fibers, which generally transport liquids, now ensure that air can move freely in the wood.

The second option is the impact test. Good hearing is required here. Hit two pieces of firewood together and listen for the noise that it makes. A “hard” sound indicates dry wood, while damp firewood produces a dull sound. However, the impact test cannot check whether the core of the wood is arid.

As soon as it is well dried, you can store firewood inside, but only in places where it is not exposed to too much moisture. Damp basement rooms or rooms with high-temperature fluctuations are unsuitable. Nothing can happen right next to the fireplace or in a dry boiler room. But even then, you shouldn’t keep the wood for too long because over time, the gases contained in the wood escape, which significantly reduces the calorific value