Nothing ruins a cozy night by the fire like wood that refuses to burn. Wet or improperly seasoned firewood leads to more smoke, less heat, and a frustrating experience overall. That’s why you have to make sure you have dry firewood ready to use, and there are a few ways to check that.
The Weight Test
Freshly cut wood holds a surprising amount of water. As it dries, that moisture evaporates, making the logs noticeably lighter. If you pick up a piece of firewood and it feels heavier than expected, there’s a good chance it’s still holding moisture. Dry firewood will feel lighter compared to freshly cut or partially seasoned wood.
Check for Cracks and Splits
As wood dries, it shrinks, which often leads to visible cracks on the ends of the logs. While not every dry piece will have them, deep radial cracks are a good sign that the wood has lost much of its moisture. If the ends are smooth and free of cracks, it might still be too wet and not ready to be burnt yet.
Listen to the Sound It Makes
You can actually tell if a piece of firewood is ready by doing a simple knock test and listening to what sound it makes. Take two pieces and tap them together. Dry firewood creates a sharp, hollow sound, while wet wood produces more of a dull thud. It’s a simple trick that takes just a few seconds but can be surprisingly effective.
Look at the Color
Freshly cut wood has a bright, natural color. Over time, as it dries, the color fades to a dull gray or light brown. This isn’t always the best indicator, as some wood species are just naturally darker or have unique changes. But as a general rule of thumb, seasoned firewood looks more worn down and weathered than freshly cut logs. Speaking of freshly cut logs, if you ever need professionals to help with cutting down or removing trees in Staten Island, our team at GreenLeaf Tree Care would be happy to help!
Feel the Texture
Another way to check is by touching the wood. Dry firewood has a rough and slightly brittle texture to it, while wood that still has lots of moisture will have a damp or cool feeling. If it still feels damp to the touch, it’s probably not ready for burning.
The Bark Test
On properly seasoned wood, the bark will often start to loosen or sometimes even fall off completely. If the bark feels like it’s not going anywhere and the underside is moist, the log is likely not fully dry. Peeling back some bark can reveal a lot about the moisture level inside.
Use a Moisture Meter
If you want everything to be exact and very accurate, then a moisture meter might be the tool you’re looking for. These small handheld devices measure how much water is still left inside the wood. Firewood should have a moisture level of 20% or less before burning. Anything above that, and you’ll have trouble getting a clean good fire going.
How Rain and Snow Affect Firewood
With winter coming to an end and spring right around the corner, you have to make sure your firewood is stored properly so it doesn’t take any extra moisture. If you leave your dry firewood exposed to the snow and rain then it can reabsorb all of that water. Rain and snow can soak into the outer layers, making it difficult to ignite and instead of burning your wood, you’re smoldering it.
Stacking wood directly on the ground allows moisture to seep in from below, so it’s common to store them on pallets or racks where they aren’t touching the ground. Covering your firewood with a tarp or shed can help keep it dry, but you have to make sure it’s properly ventilated, or else you’re trapping the moisture in with the wood. If your firewood has been left out in rain or snow, bringing it indoors for a few days before use can help it dry out faster.
How to Store Firewood for Proper Drying
If your wood isn’t quite dry yet, it’s not too late to fix that. Like we said before, just make sure it’s stacked off the ground with proper airflow underneath it, with common places being a rack or pallet. Keep it covered on top but leave the sides open so air can move through. A good rule of thumb is to let wood season for at least six months, though some hardwoods may take a full year or more to dry completely.
If you want to store wood during winter and early spring, location matters. If you keep your firewood outside, don’t put it directly against a building since this traps moisture. Instead look for spots with lots of sun and wind that can help dry it. If you have a covered porch or shed, that’s an even better option to keep rain and snow off while still allowing for airflow.
If you bring firewood indoors to dry, don’t stack it too tightly. Air needs to move between the pieces to help moisture escape. Turning logs occasionally can also speed up the drying process.
Common Mistakes When Checking Firewood
A common mistake is that if the wood looks dry then it’s good to burn, but as we know, that isn’t always the case. Wood can look dry on the outside, but in reality, there’s still a lot of moisture trapped inside it. That’s why you can just use one method to see if the wood is ready. The best way is to combine a few of the methods we mentioned above, to make sure it’s actually ready.
Another mistake is assuming all wood dries at the same rate. Softwoods like pine dry much faster than hardwoods like oak. If you’re splitting and stacking different types of wood, keep in mind that some logs may take longer to season than others.
Finally, don’t ignore how you store firewood after it has already dried. Leaving it uncovered, especially during winter and spring, can make it absorb moisture again. Even if it was perfectly dry when you stacked it, exposure to rain and snow can reset all that progress.
Wrapping it up
Dry firewood makes all the difference when it comes to building a warm, clean-burning fire. By using simple tests like weight, sound, texture, and visual cues, you can easily tell if your wood is ready to use. With wet weather still in play, proper storage is just as important as the drying process itself. Keeping your firewood protected from rain and snow will make sure your firewood is always ready.