When the days are long and the sun is shining, it’s the ideal time to focus on wood seasoning and curing firewood. Preparing your fuel for summer means sweeter-smelling campfires, cleaner-grilling sessions, and a pantry of cooking wood preparation ready for the busiest outdoor season. Here’s how to maximize your summer advantage for indoor and outdoor cooking.
Why Summer Is Prime for Seasoning & Curing Wood
Summer’s warmth, low humidity, and abundant sunshine make it perfect for reducing wood moisture content. This time of year accelerates the firewood drying process and provides fresh stockpiles ready for late summer grilling or fall fires.
How to Season Wood Properly
How to season wood isn’t complicated—but it does require thoughtful stacking and placement. First, split logs so air can penetrate. Next, stack them with gaps between each piece, positioning cut ends outward to allow airflow. Finally, use direct summer sun to your advantage—but ensure the stack is protected from unexpected showers to maintain ideal proper wood curing conditions.
Wood Types & Summer Timeframes
- Softwoods, like alder or poplar, typically take 3–6 months to cure.
- Hardwoods—such as oak, hickory, or maple—can need 9–12 months.
- Looking for speedier results? Select quick-seasoning woods, which can be ready by the end of the summer season to enjoy immediate benefits from your efforts.
Best Practices for Summer Firewood Storage
Rainstorms and humidity changes are common in summer—so how do you avoid seasoning firewood issues? Always store firewood off the ground, cover the top only, and ensure adequate side airflow. This protects your wood while avoiding mold from poor ventilation.
Benefits of Seasoned Wood for Summer Cooking
Well-seasoned, low-moisture wood produces a cleaner burn, richer flavor, and significantly less smoke—a welcome change for guests around a summer grill or pizza oven.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overstacking can trap moisture and stunt airflow.
- Stacking green wood—freshly cut and uncured—leads to smoky, inefficient burns.
- Using improper covers—such as plastic over entire stacks—can cause rotting or mold.
- Skipping regular checks during summer storms? You might find soggy logs you can’t use all season.
Pro Tip from Wild Logs
Prep your firewood now for the summer and beyond. If you’d prefer ready-to-use fuel, our kiln-dried wood saves time and guarantees low moisture, so your barbecues and campfires go off without a hitch.
Conclusion
Take advantage of summer’s long, dry days to master wood seasoning, curing firewood, and cooking wood preparation. The result? Seasoned firewood benefits like cleaner flame, deeper flavor, and hassle-free outdoor cooking. Summer may be halfway over—but with proper prep now, you’ll be set for warm nights (and crisp fall evenings) around the fire.
