If you're planning on burning wood to heat your home this winter, you might be wondering if there's such a thing as firewood that's been seasoned too long. The answer is yes - firewood can season for too long, and it's not ideal for burning in your fireplace or wood stove. Here's what you need to know about why this happens and how to avoid it.
When firewood is first cut, it contains a lot of water inside the cells of the wood. In order to burn well, that water needs to be evaporated out of the wood so that it burns hot and produces good heat. This process is called seasoning, and it usually takes several months for the wood to properly dry out.
However, if the wood isn't stored properly during seasoning, it can start to re-absorb moisture from the air around it. This will make the wood more difficult to light and keep burning, and produce less heat than dry, properly seasoned wood. If you think your firewood might be too wet, try testing a piece by striking a match to it - if it hisses or smokes excessively, it means there's still too much water in the wood.
To avoid this problem, make sure you store your firewood in a dry place with plenty of ventilation while it seasons. And if you're not sure whether or not your wood is ready to burn, err on the side of caution and give it a few more weeks to seasoning before using it in your fireplace or stove.