5 top tips for drying out wet firewood – fast!

Planning to use firewood soon but found your logs are a bit damp? Follow these steps to dry it out quicker so you can put it to good use!

Split the wood into smaller pieces

When you split wood into smaller pieces, it increases the surface area which means that moisture can evaporate more quickly.

Cut your firewood into small pieces that will fit your log burner or fireplace more easily and not only will it dry quicker, but it’ll save you the extra step of going back and cutting it again when you need to use it.

Stack in a criss-cross pattern

You need plenty of air flow to properly dry your firewood. If each log is stacked fully on top of each other, that leaves a lot of opportunity for moisture to become trapped, leading to slower drying times.

Stack your logs in a criss-cross pattern to ensure that there is plenty airflow for moisture to escape.

Store in a sunny and windy spot

Depending on the time of year, you may be able to keep your wood outdoors in a sunny spot with lots of wind to dry it quicker. If you try to dry it inside a wood shed, it’ll take much longer to dry because of the reduced airflow and access to sunlight.

In case of the occasional shower, you can cover the wood pile with a waterproof tarp. Do not cover the sides of the pile with the tarp though as this will restrict airflow.

Use a dehumidifier

Split your wood into smaller pieces and stack off of the floor in a criss-cross pattern like we said before, but if you need to dry inside, run near a dehumidifier. This should help suck up the extra moisture in the air, allowing your firewood to dry a bit quicker.

Use a firewood kiln

This is not a purchase for the average UK household (they cost several thousand pounds!), but if you plan on working on a semi-industrial scale or you really rely on firewood to heat your home, then you can look into this.

A kiln is a type of oven that heats firewood slowly to remove moisture, plus kill off pests and insects. If you plan to dry firewood on a mass scale, a firewood kiln is a must-have.

How to tell if your firewood is dry

Once you’ve dried your wood for some time, you can test if it is dry enough to burn by using a wood moisture meter to ensure it contains less than 20% moisture content.

Alternatively, you can follow our tips for checking moisture content of wood without a metre, including feeling the heaviness compared to wet wood, inspecting the colour, and assessing the noise it makes when you knock two pieces together.

Need a stock of dry firewood?

For firewood in the Glasgow, Edinburgh, and surrounding areas, Stewart Timber should be your one-stop shop! We stock a wide range of kiln-dried firewood that is Ready to Burn certified and Woodsure approved, meaning it is of the highest quality so you know you’ll get your money’s worth! Check out our online store today.