For your firewood to be effective, it is important to follow certain recommendations, but also to no longer use it after a certain date.
It is common to think of wood as a durable and timeless material, and the idea of a “best before date” for firewood may be surprising. Although wood as a material can last for decades, its use as an efficient and safe fuel can be compromised if certain conditions are not met, and after a certain date it is best not to use it anymore.
Firewood, once cut and stored, begins a natural process of degradation. This degradation is influenced by several factors. The first is humidity. If wood is stored in humid conditions, this makes it more difficult to burn and can result in incomplete combustion, producing more smoke and creosote (a dangerous residue for chimneys).
Improperly stored wood can become a breeding ground for insects and fungi, making its use problematic. Also, over time, wood can lose some of its calorific properties, meaning it will produce less heat when burned.
The first thing to do is to properly store firewood for drying to achieve maximum efficiency. To do this, place the wood in a well ventilated and sunny place. Freshly cut firewood contains 60% moisture (depending on type), while dry firewood should contain less than 20%.
Another tip is to avoid placing firewood on the ground, as contact with the earth allows it to retain moisture and attract insects. The best option is to place it in a pyre, which separates the ground by a few centimeters. Additionally, when stacking, it is best to leave the larger logs underneath to gain stability in the stack. Also don’t forget to cover it to protect it from the rain.
If all conditions are met and your wood is properly stored and seasoned, how long can you keep it? There is no official “best before date”, but keeping it too long can cause it to degrade and rot. Using wood that is too old or poorly preserved is not only ineffective, it is also potentially dangerous. Be vigilant to make the most of this valuable natural resource.
In general, firewood that is well dried and stored correctly (in a dry, well-ventilated place and protected from bad weather) can be used without problem for 3 to 4 years according to experts. After this period, it is not recommended to use it, it begins to lose effectiveness and may pose risks to your equipment and your health. But this duration varies depending on the storage conditions, but also the type of wood.
The specialized site brazeco.com therefore recommends that logs already cut and dried should be kept for 1 to 2 years, while wooden logs, which are less fragile (because they are protected by the bark), can be kept for 2 to 3 years.