How to properly store firewood for the sauna!
There is nothing more soothing than sitting in the sauna and enjoying the pleasant smell of wood and the warmth of the blazing fire. Proper storage of firewood is important to avoid harmful fumes from poorly burned wood, which can also cause health problems and air pollution. To store wood properly and ensure a truly clean burn, there are a few rules to follow.
Dry and natural firewood is best suited for the sauna stove
A sauna stove powered by wood requires the use of the correct and most efficient fuel. First, the wood to be used must be completely untreated or natural. Also, the firewood for the sauna should be dry, as it is best suited to heat up the sauna room quickly. The type of firewood is primarily a matter of personal preference. Some types of wood burn very cleanly, while others produce a lot of smoke when burned. As a general rule, you should only use wood that is designated as firewood for the sauna stove.
Measuring the residual moisture of the firewood
You can use a wood moisture meter to determine the residual moisture content of your firewood. In this way, you can be sure that you are only using well-dried wood for your stove, thus avoiding damage to the sauna stove and the chimney. Wood with a residual moisture content of 15 to 20 percent has a very high heating value. Ideally, it should be somewhere in the middle between these two values. If the firewood has more than 20 percent residual moisture, it will be difficult to light and will produce a lot of smoke.
The best firewood for the sauna stove
Hardwoods are particularly suitable for the sauna stove, including deciduous trees such as beech, maple, cherry ash, and oak. Spruce is an exception here, the burning time does not last long, but it develops a very high temperature and thus has a cleansing effect on the sauna stove and the fireplace. Softwoods rather than hardwoods are used for kindling, as they are easier and faster to light.
Store sauna firewood properly
If you want to store firewood in larger quantities for a longer period of time, it should be protected from the weather. The storage place should be dry and covered. An optimal place for firewood storage is the south wall of the house. Here the wood can dry well. To protect the wood from environmental influences, you should never cover it with a tarp. This would prevent good ventilation of the firewood and, in the worst case, lead to rot or mold. When storing firewood, also make sure that no moisture can penetrate from below. Therefore, stack the wood on a stone base or on Euro pallets.
Wood storage in the cellar
In principle, you could also store firewood in the cellar. However, only dry, only slightly damp firewood should be stored here. Without sufficient air circulation in the confined space, mold would quickly form, and the wood would rot.
Garden shed storage
A garden shed is also perfect for wood storage. Again, make sure there is adequate ventilation. A garden shed that is open to the front would be optimal.
Storage under a roof
A trailing roof on the wall of the house protects the wood from the weather. However, keep in mind that the firewood should also be well ventilated. A distance of five to ten centimeters from the wall should be sufficient.
Stack firewood correctly
Avoid storing firewood in areas where your children or dogs play. While properly stacked firewood is unlikely to tip over, accidents can still happen, especially if your child or dog climbs onto the wood pile. It is better to stack your wood in a safe place than to visit a hospital or veterinarian.
To stack firewood properly, follow these two basic rules:
- Don’t try to stack your firewood tightly to save space; stack it loosely. This allows air to circulate between each piece of wood, resulting in faster and more even drying of the wood.
- Stack your firewood so that the cut ends are exposed. This allows your wood to season properly in the summer, as this is where most of the moisture is released.
Buy stove ready firewood
Instead of processing your own firewood, you can buy it already processed. Numerous regional dealers will even transport the wood directly to your home. Prices vary depending on the type of wood and the size of the logs. In addition, hardware stores and garden centers offer already cut firewood.
