Wood Seasoning and Storage, Kooky Idea

[timm525]

Came up with this kooky idea at four in the morning.

I know that wood should be seasoned 6-12 months or more before burning. I know a lot of people recommend that the best way to do this is to split the wood and stack it neatly outdoors up off the ground with a roof and where plenty of air movement can get to it.

My idea is to build a sealed wood storage shed. It would have a metal roof on it painted black and inside would be a few ceiling fans and one or two large sized dehumidifiers.

First, since the room is sealed no bugs or other critters can get at the wood. Second, with the metal black painted roof, it would radiate heat into the shed acting like an oven. Third, the ceiling fans would provide for air movement within the shed. Fourth, the dehumidifiers set on low would continuously be pulling the moisture out of the room.

I’m thinking that in theory, this would season your wood much quicker than if it was just left outdoors to season.

Any thoughts on this or should I just take an Ambien next time?

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

[loggie]

I have done this with sawmill green lumber and is does work but the electric bill shows it.The lumber I was drying was only 1" thick I can not see this working very well with firewood.

 

[thebeatlesrgood]

not a bad idea but maybe too sophisticated for wood with the large dehumidifiers like loggie said your electric bill will be a problem. i have a 1 small dehumid and it runs about 400 watts two larger ones will cost a fortune. at least with mass's prices $0.22 a kwh.

as for the way i would do it... get a relatively large prefab greenhouse, ditch the dehumids and get a solar attic fan(come pretty cheap at the depot). the greenhouse will get really hot and this way the sun dictates everything. ie more sun = more evaporation = more ventilation. plus the roof will prevent exposure to new water.

 

[mainemac]

Yes I had the same idea, only with my car
My SUV has sat in the sun getting wicked hot all summer and I fantasized about loading it up, but no air circulation as you corrected for.

I agree the aging thing is a pain especially for 1st time wood burners

BTW if you live in Florida why do you need a wood stove?

Tom

 

[EricV]

I filled my wife's unused greenhouse and the wood is drying very well. It gets to about 130 in there and the moisture isleaving the wood nicely.

 

[timm525]

Yes I had the same idea, only with my car
My SUV has sat in the sun getting wicked hot all summer and I fantasized about loading it up, but no air circulation as you corrected for.

I agree the aging thing is a pain especially for 1st time wood burners

BTW if you live in Florida why do you need a wood stove?

Tom

I have a fireplace. I like to burn dry wood.

 

[RedRanger]

Kooky!! Nice long rows drying in the sunshine. Covered when it rains. How much simpler can it get??

 

[savageactor7]

Just start cutting & splitting earlier and more often and your wood will season just fine...even if you throw it in piles up on branches in the woods or wherever. The thing is by C&S;-ing just a little bit each day (30-45min) you'll have plenty of seasoned wood and won't have to scheme to rush seasoning.

Although Tims plan above does seem to have some merit...as hot as it gets in FL he'd be making a kiln-like dried wood imo.

 

[timm525]

I have about a cord of oak split and seasoned about 1 year for this year. I am working on another cord for next year right now.

I want to get a Ramsplitter 16 ton, vertical/horizontal and a little more wood for next year. I've been chain sawing my cuts and have already burned out one saw. I know, I know, not the right tool for the job which is why I'm interested in purchasing a splitter.

My winters are mild, but I love to run the fireplace when I get home at night.