If you rely on a wood-burning stove or fire-place to heat your home, a fire pit to cook meals, or simply need a reliable back up for emergencies and disasters like zombie outbreaks, major earthquakes, heavy winters, and so on, then you’ll need properly seasoned wood to be truly prepared for self-sufficiency and reliance. This easy-to-follow guide takes the myth and mystery out of properly storing and seasoning wood for use… no matter what you’re battling against.
Self-Seasoned Firewood. By taking the time to properly season firewood, a survivor will be increasing their chances to outlive the undead, along with any other disasters that might some their way. Seasoned wood burns hotter and cleaner than fresh-cut timber which can contain up to 50% water content. It reduces the risk of dangerous creosote build-up, chimney fires, getting smoked out, or the inability to get a good fire going at all.
Soft vs. Hardwoods. Generally speaking, softwoods like pine, cedar, and spruce take approximately 6 to 12 months for proper seasoning, while hardwoods like oak, walnut, maple, and so on require roughly 1 to 2 years. Though, like most aspects of survival and preparedness, there are variations to the general rules, a few things are always certain:
•All other woods can and should be collected during the early summer months, when the weather is more conducive to keeping the wood dry and on its way to properly seasoning.
•In needed, firewood should split and/or cut, measuring no more than 6-7 inches in diameter and 16-18 inches long (though smaller is fine). This will allow the wood to season more quickly, and fit into most fire-places and wood-burning stoves.
Knowing When it’s Ready. This simple 3-step process is one of the most efficient ways to test wood for proper seasoning.
1. Take two pieces of wood that appear to be dry, knock them together a few times – listening for a clicking/ringing sound. If the wood gives off a dull thudding sound then it needs a little more time.
2. Look for radial cracks along the ends of the firewood and a lighter paler color in the wood grain.
3. Test burn a piece, look for steam or moisture escaping from the end-grain.
When it comes to heating a home or survival shelter, distribution of the heat and it’s effectiveness has a lot to do with where the heating unit is located and how large the space is, but more importantly: what type of fuel is being used and how much there is to go around. Always plan ahead, expect the best, but prepare for the worst. For more information on properly storing fuels for emergencies see our guide to Storing Fuel For Emergencies.
