How to Season Firewood

Little Loads
Aug 4
2 min read

Updated: Aug 6

Getting the most heat and least smoke from your firewood comes down to one critical factor: proper seasoning. At Little Loads, we've supplied quality firewood to Perth homes for years, and we've learned that well-seasoned wood makes all the difference for cosy winter fires.

What Is Seasoning and Why Does It Matter?

Seasoning is simply the process of drying out freshly cut wood to reduce its moisture content. When trees are first felled, they contain up to 50% water. This moisture needs to be reduced to below 20% before burning.

Burning unseasoned (green) wood causes several problems:

It produces excessive smoke and creosote buildup in chimneys
It's difficult to light and keep burning
It generates significantly less heat
It wastes energy as much of the fire's heat goes toward evaporating water

The Seasoning Timeline

Properly seasoning firewood should be planned for, as it isn't a quick weekend project and requires patience. In Perth's climate, most hardwoods need 6-12 months to season properly. Denser woods like jarrah may need the full year, while lighter woods might be ready sooner.

How to Season Firewood Effectively

Choose the Right Location

The ideal spot for seasoning firewood is:

Exposed to plenty of sunlight
Open to breezes for air circulation
Protected from rain (a simple roof or tarp covering)
Elevated off the ground to prevent moisture absorption

Stack It Properly

How you stack your wood significantly affects drying time:

1. Create a base layer using pallets or timber bearers to keep wood off the ground

2. Stack logs in rows with the bark side up to shed rain

3. Leave small gaps between logs for air circulation

4. Keep rows to a reasonable height for stability (about 1-1.5 metres)

Cover Thoughtfully

Cover the top of your woodpile to protect it from rain, but leave the sides open for air flow. A simple corrugated metal roof or tarp secured only over the top works well.

How to Tell When Firewood is Properly Seasoned

If you’re not sure if your wood is ready to burn, look for these signs:

Visible cracks forming at the ends of logs
Darkening colour compared to fresh-cut wood
Loose or peeling bark
A hollow sound when two pieces are knocked together
Significantly lighter weight than fresh-cut wood
Moisture content below 20% (you can check this with an inexpensive moisture meter)

Our team at Little Loads offers premium firewood that's ready to burn. We carefully select and prepare our firewood to ensure it provides maximum heat output with minimal smoke. We deliver throughout Perth, so you can have quality firewood without the year-long wait. Call us today to arrange your firewood delivery and enjoy better burns this winter season.

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