Better to age outside?

[Malak]

What's the story on aging wood in your basement versus outdoors?

Does it need the dry air to age properly? My basement has had flooding
problems in the past but the air is quite dry otherwise.

 

[Pagey]

That very debate is going on here:

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/29444/

 

[LLigetfa]

That very debate is going on here:

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/29444/

While I have to agree that it is a debate, that thread is more about drying a few pieces on the hearth than about storing your entire supply in the basement. Storing large quantities of green, wet wood in the basement can significantly raise the humidity to the point of rotting the house.

 

[Pagey]

That very debate is going on here:

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/29444/

While I have to agree that it is a debate, that thread is more about drying a few pieces on the hearth than about storing your entire supply in the basement. Storing large quantities of green, wet wood in the basement can significantly raise the humidity to the point of rotting the house.

Good point. I stand corrected.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

So, the question begs: How can you get rid of moisture that is in the wood when you are storing it in a high moisture area?

To age wood, or season it, means to evaporate the moisture from the wood. Normally, that is simplest, easiest, fastest and best done by Mother Nature. Stack outdoors, in wind and sun. Leave uncovered all summer to allow for the most evaporation. Cover the top only in fall or early winter.