For people who don’t like to burn coal, firewood offers a cost-effective alternative. With this said, it is important to ensure that you do your research and get your hands on well-seasoned logs or else you could end up overpaying. Here at Pearson Fuels, we have a wide selection of imported firewood and kiln dried logs that can be purchased seasoned and ready for use. With this said, many wood burners like carrying out the seasoning process themselves. Read on as we go over everything you need to know…

Seasoning firewood is just a fancy term that details the process of removing moisture from wood. After all, if you try to burn fresh cut wooden logs then you are going to have a very poor quality fire, if you even manage to light one at all. Wood is made up of tubes called ‘cavities’ and they run through the length of a tree. Inside these tubes is where water flows, however when we cut down a tree the cavities begin the dry out. Seasoning is a long process that encourages ‘free water’ and the water that is found in the cell wall of a trees structure to evaporate so that the wood can be burned efficiently.

As stated above, firewood is seasoned in order to produce a better quality and efficient fire. In fact, when a tree is cut down, the wood has a moisture level of about 50% and seasoning it down to 20% or less is a lengthy process that can take between 6 and 12 months. With this said, when seasoning is done correctly, wood will burn incredibly hot and result in an energy efficient and cost effective fire.

Since seasoning takes so long, it is important to be prepared. In fact, most people who self-season their wood will start the whole process again after winter in order to prepare for the following year. You should cut down trees for burning during winter (Nov – Jan) as they are considered dormant. In addition to this, the wood should also be cut down to the size you wish to burn it at and you should have sturdy place to store it that is mounted above the ground during the seasoning time as this will help reduce the length of time it takes to season the wood.

Burning firewood in a stove or open fire is an incredibly cost effective way to heat your home during the winter months. After all, it is hard to beat the aesthetics of an authentic crackling wooden fire. When seasoning your own logs, you should ensure that you carry out as much research as possible in order to prevent mistakes. For those who like to purchase pre-seasoned firewood, the Pearson Fuels team are always on hand! Get in contact with the best coal merchants around today to find out more information.