“Seasoned” is the most abused word in firewood. Some sellers use it for wood that was split last month. Here is what seasoned actually means, why it matters, and five checks you can do in your driveway.
What does seasoned firewood mean?
Seasoned firewood has been split and left to dry long enough that most of the water is gone. A freshly cut tree can be close to half water by weight. The EPA’s Burn Wise guidance says wood burns best under 20 percent moisture and should be seasoned for at least six months. Dense hardwoods like oak often take longer than that.
Mine is seasoned 10 to 12 months in the yard before it goes on the truck.
Why does dry wood matter?
- Heat. Wet wood spends its energy boiling water instead of heating your room.
- Smoke. Wet wood smolders and smokes. Your neighbors notice.
- Creosote. Cool, smoky fires leave creosote in the chimney, and creosote is what chimney fires burn.
- Glass and stoves. In a stove or insert, wet wood blackens the glass and keeps the stove from getting up to temperature.
Five ways to tell if firewood is seasoned
1. Check the ends
Dry splits have cracks running out from the center on the cut ends, and the ends look gray or faded, not fresh and bright.
2. Feel the weight
Pick up two pieces about the same size. Seasoned wood is noticeably lighter.
3. Knock them together
Seasoned wood makes a sharp, hollow crack. Wet wood makes a dull thud.
4. Look at the bark
On dry wood the bark is often loose or falling off. Tight, fresh bark is a sign it has not been sitting long.
5. Use a moisture meter
A basic meter costs about as much as a pizza. Split a piece open and test the fresh inside face, not the outside, which dries first. Under 20 percent is ready to burn.
What if the wood hisses or sizzles?
If you see water or foam bubbling out of the ends while it burns, it is wet. Pull it, set it aside, and burn it next year.
Seasoned vs kiln-dried firewood
Kiln-dried wood is dried with heat in a kiln instead of by time and air. It is very dry, and it often comes certified for moving across state lines, which matters if you are taking wood to a campground. It also costs far more. For burning at home in Morris County, well-seasoned local hardwood does the job. More on that in buying local firewood in NJ.
How do I keep it dry once it is delivered?
Off the ground on pallets or rails, top covered, sides open. Wrapping the whole pile in a tarp traps moisture. Keep a couple of days of wood inside or under a porch so you are never grabbing splits off a wet pile.