First year heating mostly with wood. I’ve got a small stove and no idea if I’m looking at two cords or six, or whether wood I cut now will even be dry enough by January.
Oh, that’s the classic first-year question, and it’s a good one to ask now rather than in December!
How much wood you’ll need
Honestly, there’s no single number that fits everyone — it depends on your climate, your house size and insulation, how airtight your stove is, and whether wood is your only heat or just the main one. That said, here are some rough starting points neighbors have used:
- Mild winters, well-insulated small home: 2–3 cords
- Moderate winters or a drafty place: 3–5 cords
- Cold northern winters, primary heat source: 5–6+ cords
Your first year, I’d aim a little high rather than low. Running short in February is miserable. Whatever you don’t burn, you’ll be a year ahead next season.
Getting wood dry enough
This one matters a lot. Green wood smokes, smolders, creosotes up your chimney, and gives you a fraction of the heat. For most hardwoods, you want 6–12 months of drying after splitting, ideally in a spot with good airflow and some sun. Stack it loosely, bark side up, off the ground.
Wood you’re splitting right now — if it’s already been felled a while — can be fine by January if it’s a dry summer and a breezy spot. Fresh-cut green wood probably won’t be. A cheap moisture meter (under $20) will tell you the truth; you’re aiming for 20% moisture content or below.
Practical first-year advice
If you’re not sure your current pile is enough or dry enough, it’s worth buying a cord or two of already-seasoned wood locally as insurance. Many folks sell it that way.
And keep an eye on your chimney — a new stove operator burning wet wood is the most common cause of creosote buildup. Worth having your flue inspected if you haven’t already.
You’ll get a feel for your own burn rate quickly once the season starts. A lot of us keep a rough log (ha) of what we used, so year two is a lot more confident. The Homestead Paradise app actually has a place to track stuff like that if you want to keep notes on what you’re stacking and burning — nice for comparing season to season.
What species of wood are you working with, and roughly what part of the country are you in? That’d help me point you a little better.