Cutting down trees in your garden can yield a lot of firewood. Firewood has a variety of uses, and they give us some good money on selling. The most important thing is firewood, the most cost-effective fuel than the other choices. So after getting all those firewood, we may have a problem with stacking it. So here is a guide on how to stack firewood using different methods. You can also check our post about where to buy firewood.
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Our Recommended Chainsaws For Firewood
How To Stack Firewood- Different Methods
A chainsaw is an excellent tool to split firewood. A right chainsaw is an asset while working with firewood. So many of us may think why must be firewood stacked. This is to season the firewood well. Seasoning firewood is to remove the moisture content in it. Make sure you have finely cut fire bricks. If the moisture is more than 20%, it will be a tough job to light it. It can also cause more smoke. But seasoning can make it burn faster, and also not much smoke comes from it. It can help you make a fortune.
So the firewood must be in the open air to get seasoned. You can get yourself a good outdoor fireplace. Stacking it in the right way will dry the firewood well and season it well. While choosing a site to stack firewood, there should be a lot of sunlight. It should not have long periods of shade. Position it with the cut ends at east or west. This is for better sunlight and wind. Now let us see the different methods to stack firewood.
Method 1: Pillars
Step 1: Base
Setting the base is essential for this method. This can prevent even moisture seeping up from the ground into our firewood. So get some 2 x 4’s from the stores. Align it in a way it can act as a base to our stacked firewood. Lay about three or four rows of these 2 x 4’s, which will be the base to our firewood. Make sure your 2 x 4 pieces are pressure tested.
Step 2: The First Layer
Lay the pieces on the base we created. It is best to have 3 or 4 pieces on each layer. Align each piece on the side of the other piece.
Step 3: The Next Layers
Let us assume there are four pieces on the first layer. For the next layer, lay the following four pieces on top. But make sure they are perpendicular to the layer down. Now repeat this for the next layer. Until the end, this is how we will be stacking each layer. In the end, every alternate layer should look similar. This will do our job.
Step 4: Space
While arranging, make sure there is some form of a gap between each pillar. A few inches of space between the pillars are key to stack in this method. This gap is to allow the air to flow between each stack.
Things Needed
The things needed for stacking firewood in pillars are
- Boards of size 2 x 4 which is pressure tested
- Firewood
Method 2: Between Pillar Method
This is not like the previous method, and the pillars are not repeated. This is the traditional American method of stacking wood. Let us see the steps in detail for this method.
Step 1: The Base
We again need a stable base for this method also to stack our firewood. Lay a few parallel rows on the base. Pressure-treated 2 x 4’s will act as a good base for the firewood.
Step 2: Building The Stacks
For the first layer, lay the pieces of firewood side-by-side. The next layer should have the firewood perpendicular to the first layer. Repeat this until the last row you’re going to build
Step 3: Split Firewood
Now repeat the same at the other end of the base. Now, these two pillars will be the support for the firewood between them. The user must finish the process at the other end too. Now we have to stack the split firewood between the pillars. Make sure not to pack the firewood tight between the layers. Leave some gaps between the layers for air to enter. Now continue stacking until we can reach the same height as the base. Make sure the bark side is up so that the inner parts of the wood get protected.
This method is also an excellent method to stack firewood.
Things Needed
The things needed for stacking firewood between pillars are
- Boards of size 2 x 4 which is pressure tested
- Firewood
Method 3: German Method
This is a German method of stacking firewood. This method allows air to flow outside of the center.
Step 1: Setting Up The Place
Find a flat area to stack the firewood. A 6 x 6 area would be apt for holding the firewood. Get a significant wooden stake or metal into the center of the selected area. Now take 3-feet from the stake or metal and mark a circle around the stake or metal. This will be the circular area where we store the firewood.
Step 2: Set The Edge Of The Stack
Lay some wood on the circle we marked at 3 feet from the stake. Make sure the wood touches end to end. This circle will be the edge of our wood stack.
Step 3: Stacking The Firewood
Now set the wood in a way that one end is on the edge wood and the other points towards the stake at the center. Fill the whole circle with wood in the same way. This would complete our first layer. Make sure the wood is at an angle to the center stake. Now stack the logs in the same way in an upright position. There will be enough space for air and sunlight to reach all the firewood.
Things Needed
The things needed for stacking firewood in the German method are
- A wooden stake or metal in the middle
- Wood in the edge of the circle
- Measuring tape
Method 4: The Holz-Hausen Method
This is a method that doesn’t need to stack firewood into rows. The best part of this method is that even if there is rain, it gets drained. Let us see the method in detail
Step 1: Building A Ring
Get the same 2 x 4’s that are pressure tested. Now check the length and cut them if needed. Our primary target is to form a ring with these 2 x 4’s. This base is vital as it prevents moisture from the ground to reach the firewood.
Step 2: Firewood
Lay the firewood like a ring on top of the base we created. The bark side of firewood should be out. Lay a single piece on the top of the ring. One end should touch the ring, and the other end gets sloped down to the ground. Fill the full first row with firewood in the same way.
Step 4: Circular Stacking
Now continue stacking the same way until we reach the desired height. On the last layer, stack a ring in the same way we did after the first layer. This is to make the structure firm and stay still. Repeat the process until there are at least three bark sides support outside. If there is some gap in the middle, manage it with firewood on end to fill the space. This will finish the process, and we can get an excellent circular stack.
Things Needed
These are the things needed to stack firewood in the Holz-Hausen method.
- 2 x 4’s for the ring base
- Single pieces with barks for structural support.
These are a few different methods to stack firewood. These methods make sure the firewood gets stacked well without any excess moisture.
How To Check The Seasoning Of Firewood
We stack the firewood to get it well-seasoned. Seasoned firewood should have a moisture level of only 20 %. This makes them burn well as they don’t have any wet characteristics. So how can we identify whether given firewood gets seasoned well or not? Here are a few changes in the firewood if they get seasoned well.
The absence of the bark suggests the seasoning is proper. The removal of moisture takes the bark away with it. Even if it’s not gone, it can come out very quickly. The weight will be less than regular firewood. The removal of moisture can reduce the weight of the firewood by a considerable amount.
The color will look dull. This won’t be the same in the firewood before stacking. Adequately seasoned firewood would have some shades of grey in it. The smell also will change as the firewood gets seasoned.
The normal wood scent will go away as the moisture goes away. When we hit the firewood against something, there should be a hollow sound. Check it with another firewood so that we can observe the sound differences clearly.
Conclusion
Firewood has become an effective alternative to fuel. They have the best conditions to be an alternative to oil. Stacking firewood is a critical process to get out firewood seasoned well. This helps them burn well, which is very useful. Stacking them may sound complicated but is easy if we follow the right steps.
Following any of the methods mentioned above will get your firewood stacked perfectly. Make sure to wear all the necessary safety equipment. It’s time to get your firewood stacked neat and clean.
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