Woodburning stoves are a popular choice for UK homeowners as they are an efficient and cosy way to heat. However, many stove users underestimate the importance of the moisture content in their firewood.

The efficiency of a woodburning stove is directly linked to the quality of the fuel used, and burning wood with high moisture content can lead to poor performance, increased costs and even safety hazards.

Understanding the impact of wood moisture content is key to getting the best out of your stove. Wet or unseasoned wood produces smoke, reduces heat output and increases the risk of creosote buildup in the chimney.

By ensuring your firewood is properly dried, you can enjoy a more efficient, environmentally friendly, cost-effective heating experience.

What Is Wood Moisture Content

Wood moisture content is the amount of water in a piece of firewood, usually expressed as a percentage. Freshly cut or “green” wood can contain up to 50% moisture, that’s nearly half of its weight is water.

This water has to evaporate before the wood can burn efficiently, which reduces its energy output and produces a lot of smoke.

To test the moisture content of firewood a moisture meter is used. A simple handheld device that gives a precise reading, so you can see if your wood is dry enough for efficient burning.

Understanding these moisture levels is important for maintaining the performance of your woodburning stove and avoiding problems like poor heat output and soot buildup.

How Wood Moisture Affects Stove Efficiency

The moisture content of firewood plays a big part in how well it burns. Dry wood (20% moisture or less) ignites more easily, burns hotter and releases more heat into your home.

Wet wood requires more energy to evaporate the excess moisture before it can combust properly, resulting in wasted heat and a weak flame. This inefficiency means you’ll have to burn more wood to get the same level of warmth.

Burning wet wood produces more smoke and harmful emissions, which contributes to poor indoor and outdoor air quality. The smoke carries unburnt particles which accumulate in the chimney as creosote, a highly flammable substance that increases the risk of chimney fires.

Using wet wood also causes soot to build up on the stove’s glass door, making it harder to clean and reducing the looks of your fire.

Recommended Moisture Levels for Firewood

For optimal performance, firewood should have a moisture content of 20% or less. Wood that meets this requirement is called “seasoned” or “kiln-dried” wood.

Seasoned wood is naturally dried over several months, kiln-dried wood is processed in a controlled environment to dry faster. Both are much cleaner and more efficient than freshly cut logs.

Using firewood with the right moisture levels not only increases heat output but also complies with environmental regulations. In the UK new legislation under the Clean Air Strategy restricts the sale of wet wood, suppliers have to provide wood that’s dry and ready to burn.

By choosing properly dried firewood you can reduce pollution, improve your stove’s efficiency and cut down on maintenance costs.

How to Ensure Your Firewood Is Dry

Seasoning firewood is one of the best ways to ensure it has the right moisture content. This involves cutting, splitting and stacking logs in a dry, well-ventilated area for 6 months to 2 years depending on the type of wood.

Hardwoods like oak and beech take longer to dry, and softwoods like pine dry faster but burn faster. Properly stacked firewood should be stacked to allow air circulation, with the ends exposed to aid the drying process.

Storing firewood is just as important as seasoning it. Firewood should be kept off the ground, preferably on pallets and covered with a waterproof sheet allowing air to circulate to prevent mould growth.

Using a moisture meter before burning is a simple way to check if the wood is dry enough. If the reading is above 20% the wood should be left to dry for longer before use.

Benefits of Dry Wood

The benefits of burning dry wood go beyond just improving stove efficiency. Dry firewood produces a hotter, longer burn meaning you’ll use fewer logs to heat your home, saving you money on fuel costs.

It also reduces the strain on your stove and chimney, resulting in fewer maintenance issues and a longer life for your heating system.

In addition to the practical benefits using properly dried wood reduces environmental impact. Wet wood produces more smoke and particulates, contributing to air pollution and health risks.

By choosing dry, seasoned or kiln-dried wood you’re not only improving your stove’s performance but also reducing emissions and creating a cleaner, safer living environment.

Summary

Proper moisture content is key to getting the most out of your woodburning stove, burning wet wood means smoke, maintenance and wasted energy, dry wood means a cleaner, better burning with more heat.

Check moisture levels regularly and use properly seasoned firewood to get the best out of your stove.

By following best practices for wood storage, seasoning and moisture testing you can enjoy your woodburning stove without the hassle or expense.

Whether you source your firewood or buy it from a supplier, having it dry and ready to burn will make all the difference in having a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly heating experience.