What Moisture Content for Firewood?

If you’re wondering what moisture content is ideal for firewood, you’re not alone. Many people debate over how much water firewood should contain to burn efficiently. In general, the lower the moisture content, the better.

Seasoned wood typically has a moisture content between 15 and 20%.

The moisture content of your firewood can have a big impact on how well it burns. If the wood is too dry, it will ignite easily but burn quickly and produce little heat. If the wood is too moist, it will be hard to light and produce a lot of smoke.

The ideal moisture content for firewood is between 20% and 30%. You can test the moisture content of your firewood with a moisture meter. This tool consists of two metal probes that are inserted into the wood.

The meter will then give you a reading that tells you how much water is in the wood. If your firewood is too dry, you can try soaking it in water for several hours before burning it. This will help to rehydrate the wood and make it more combustible.

You can also use green wood (wood that has not been seasoned) as it generally has a higher moisture content than seasoned wood. Just be aware that green wood can be harder to ignite and produces more smoke than seasoned wood.

-What is the Ideal Moisture Content for Firewood

Firewood should have a moisture content of 20% or less for it to burn efficiently. The ideal moisture content for firewood is actually between 15% and 20%. Anything above 30% moisture content is considered unburnable.

#248: Seasoned Firewood. How Dry Should It Be? What Moisture Content? How to Use a Moisture Meter.

Conclusion

As we head into the colder months, now is the time to start stocking up on firewood. But before you start chopping wood, it’s important to know what moisture content is best for firewood. Ideally, you want your firewood to have a moisture content of 20% or less.

If the moisture content is too high, it will be difficult to get the wood to ignite and keep it burning. Not to mention, wet wood also produces a lot of smoke – which isn’t great for your lungs. So how do you know if your wood is at the right moisture content?

The easiest way is to use a moisture meter. You can find these online or at most hardware stores. Once you have your meter, simply insert it into the end of a piece of firewood and wait for the reading.

If the number is above 20%, then you’ll need to let the wood dry out more before using it. This can be done by stacking it in a dry place (like a shed) and letting it air out for several weeks. Once your wood is at the right moisture content, then you’re ready to start building fires!