The moisture content of the wood you use for burning is crucial for efficient combustion and maintaining the performance of your stove. In general, it is recommended that the wood has a moisture content of about 20% or lower before burning it in the stove. Here’s why:
Efficient combustion
Dry wood burns more efficiently than moist wood. Moist wood requires extra heat to evaporate the moisture before it starts to burn, meaning less heat is available to warm your home. Dry wood ignites faster and produces more thermal energy
Less creosote formation
Burning moist wood can lead to the formation of creosote, a tar-like substance that can accumulate in your stove’s flue. Creosote is flammable and can cause chimney fires if it builds up. Dry wood minimizes creosote formation.
Less smoke and emissions
Dry wood produces less smoke and emissions than moist wood, which is better for the environment and air quality. It also reduces the risk of smoke nuisance in your home.
Measuring moisture
To check the moisture content of the wood, you can, of course, use a moisture meter. These meters are available at hardware stores and help determine whether the wood is ready for burning.
A manual way to measure the moisture content in wood might come from an unexpected angle but is certainly effective. For this, you need a bubble solution or another soapy mixture. Spread the soapy solution on one side of the wood block and blow through the other side. If bubbles appear, you know that the wood is dry enough to burn.
It is important to properly dry firewood before using it in the stove. This process can take several months to two years, depending on the type of wood, the thickness of the pieces, and storage conditions. Well-split wood with ample air circulation dries faster. It is advisable to use a covered storage space to protect the wood from rain and moisture.
Using dry wood in your wood stove will result in more efficient combustion, less maintenance, and better heat output.