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OPERATING YOUR APPLIANCE (Continued)
Seasoning Wood (Continued)
Place firewood in an open area to obtain rapid drying and to prevent deterioration. Preferably, put a cover
on the top tier of wood. If you cut trees in summer, let them lie for a week. The leaves will draw moisture
from the wood and dry it more quickly than if you limb the tree immediately.
Seasoning can be accelerated greatly by simply stacking fuelwood in a sunny location and then covering
it with clear plastic sheeting. In sunny weather, temperatures within the plastic covering will rise much
higher than outside, warming the wood and evaporating the contained moisture. The water vapor
produced either escapes or condenses on the plastic covering; therefore some arrangement for
ventilation is necessary. It is also desirable to hold the plastic away from the rough ends of the wood to
prevent abrasion, allow air to flow, and keep any condensation from re-wetting the wood.
SOLAR WOOD DRYER
In sunny weather, the temperature within the dryer rises much higher than outside temperatures, warming
the wood and evaporating the contained moisture.
Raise stack off
the ground to
increase air flow
Cover with 4 mil Polyethylene
Prevailing Winds
Air flow
Air flow
Air flow
Many arrangements for plastic covering are possible. Thin 2 millimeter, clear polyethylene sheeting sold
for drop cloths or garden mulching is not recommended because it is easily torn. The 4 millimeter
thickness is more satisfactory and less costly than 6 millimeter. Any clear polyethylene deteriorates badly
after a few months of exposure to full sunlight, so the stack may have to be re-roofed to remain dry over
winter.
