How to Season Oak Firewood

Firewood is commonly used in many campsites fuel for a campfire. Burning firewood provides a source of heat and light, and is a traditional means of outdoor cooking. Proper selection of firewood is essential when building a fire. Firewood should not be green; instead it should be well-seasoned. Different types of wood require various lengths of time to season. Oak is a desirable wood for a campfire and has its own requirements for proper seasoning.

Things You'll Need

  • Wood rack
  • Axe
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a covered location that is dry and will keep rain and snow off the oak wood as it seasons. Select a storage building or other structure with overhead protection. Avoid using tarps that prevent air circulation.

    • 2

      Position a wood rack under the shelter. Situate the rack so the wood, when stacked, will receive good air flow to help reduce the potential of rot.

    • 3

      Stack oak firewood in the rack so that there are small air spaces. Leave small spaces through which air can flow because this will help with the seasoning process.

    • 4

      Allow the wood to sit undisturbed for one year or longer. Leave larger pieces of firewood to season longer than small diameter pieces.

    • 5

      Choose a piece of firewood to test. Observe the outside of the wood for a gray appearance. Split the oak firewood in half with an axe. The wood is seasoned when the inside wood is white in appearance, as opposed to having a green tint.