You can own the most advanced, high-end wood burner on the market, but if you feed it wet, unseasoned firewood, your fireplace will struggle to perform.
Why Moisture is the Enemy of Fire
Freshly cut wood contains up to 50% water content. When you throw wet wood into a firebox, the fire must expend almost all of its thermal energy boiling away that trapped water rather than radiating heat into your room. This results in weak, smoky fires, heavily stained glass doors, and an incredibly fast build-up of creosote inside your clean flue liner.
How to Test Your Firewood
- Look for cracks: Properly seasoned wood features deep radial cracks along the exposed grain ends.
- Listen to the sound: Strike two pieces of wood together. Seasoned logs make a clear, hollow “clunk,” while wet logs produce a dull, heavy thud.
- Feel the weight: Dry wood loses its internal moisture weight, making it feel noticeably lighter than green wood.