Freshly cut or wet firewood isn’t suitable for fires. In fact, firewood containing 30% and 50% moisture content will result in a lot of smoke in your home.
Burning wet firewood could result in an accumulation of sticky creosote on your ceiling, potentially causing a chimney fire.
Therefore, you’re going to need to dry your firewood, however, what happens when you’re in a hurry?
If you don’t have enough time to wait until your firewood dries, you can either leave them in the sun or inside your garage.
Water-wet firewood can be dried using a space heater, an oven, or even a dehumidifier.
With this in mind, this article will explore the different methods to quickly dry your firewood so you can use it as soon as possible.
Let’s get started.
How Long Does Firewood Take To Dry?
When the weather is cold there is no better way to warm up than by putting some wood on the fireplace. Although, in such instances, it is important to make sure your firewood is dry.
Before you do anything, you’ll want to understand exactly how long it takes for firewood to dry. This will help you determine how long you need to wait and if you need to find any alternative methods to warm up.
Generally speaking, firewood requires around 9-12 weeks to dry completely. While this may sound somewhat discouraging, it is important to prepare your firewood in advance.
You can start preparations as soon as winter begins to make sure you have ample firewood. Plus, you can even start gathering the wood at the end of the season for future use.
Likewise, you should keep in mind that certain woods dry out quicker than others. This is also determined by the cuts of wood, too.
1. Prepare Your Wood
When it comes to drying out your wet firewood, it couldn’t be easier than with this simple and effective method.
Here, all you have to do is cut your firewood into small pieces and keep it in dry conditions. You will then need to place your wood in an area that isn’t exposed to rain or direct sunlight.
You can even turn the wood occasionally to make sure it dries quicker. Once the wood has dried, it can then be stored in a cabinet or a wooden crate for safekeeping.
You should always use dry wood to avoid any potential accidents. This is one of the most effective methods and will save you time and money when it comes to drying your wood quickly.
2. Air Dry The Wood
To dry out wet firewood, one of the easiest and fastest methods is by air drying your wood. This DIY method works best when the wood is dry and free from branches and other debris.
If the wood is wet, then the process will take considerably longer. You should be careful when air drying firewood since there is a possibility of burning or sparking the wood.
Therefore, before using it in your fireplace, you should make sure that the wood is completely dry.
3. The Fire
Since firewood is a natural product, it can quickly become wet or damp when not dried out correctly.
When it comes to drying out your firewood quickly, you’ll need to use fire to speed up the process. Here, the fire needs to be controllable and small with the air stacked in a way that enables air circulation.
This method is more effective for smaller pieces of wood since it reduces the amount of wood required to generate heat.
When looking for wood that will help produce a heart, you’ll want to carefully select wood that can be burned efficiently and produce high levels of heat.
This is ideal since it contains a moisture content below 20% and features moisture-absorbing chemicals, including formaldehyde and creosote.
Dry wood that contains low levels of moisture helps to reduce the amount of fuel required to produce heat.
4. The Climate
To successfully dry your firewood, you’ll need to stack it in layers, with the drier wood at the bottom of the pile.
It is important to make sure your wood is dry before adding it to your stove or fireplace. In fact, you can use an oven or a fire pit to help dry your firewood.
If this isn’t an option, you can also use your oven or a stove. Make sure to remember that your firewood should be completely dry before using it safely.
5. Conventionally Drying Your Firewood
There are various ways you can dry out your firewood quickly, this involves using a stick burner or a conventional wood-burning stove.
Conventional wood-burning stoves use airflow to heat and dry out the wood. This typically takes around two days, however, it’s important to keep an eye on it as it can get hot quickly.
Stick burners work in a similar fashion, however, they are portable and smaller, making them ideal for camping and traveling.
Plus, they also tend to be faster than conventional stoves, only taking one or two hours.
6. Combining Microwave, Oven, And Fan To Dry Firewood
To start off with, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cut your firewood into smaller pieces, placing them on a baking sheet. Bake the wood for 30 minutes.
Once done, place them in the microwave for 2 minutes. This is a quick and effective method of drying your wood and making it safe for use.
Final Thoughts
Before you use your firewood, it is important to make sure it is completely dry – this is to ensure that it is completely safe for your fireplace.
However, what happens when you’re in a hurry?
Luckily for you, there is a range of different methods you can use to achieve dry firewood.
Hopefully, this guide has informed you on everything you need to know about drying wood quickly.
As the founder of firepit.co.uk, I am proud to run the largest online fire pit retailer in the UK. I am a leading expert with extensive knowledge of indoor fireplaces and outdoor heating solutions.
I love contributing to Fireplace Ideas, where I can share my love of fireplaces and pass on the experience I have gained in running my business.
In addition to running firepit.co.uk, I am a prolific writer currently working on a book about fireplaces.
Whether you're a homeowner, a designer, or simply someone who loves the warmth and comfort of a fireplace, I have the knowledge and expertise to help you create the perfect space for your needs.
I also love a great fire. Over the years, I have enjoyed using different types of wood burners and gas fireplaces. Now in a more modern home, I use an electric fireplace.
