You might think it’s relatively simple and straightforward. You’ve got a fireplace or a wood stove, you put wood in it, the wood burns and your house gets warm. Actually though, it’s not quite that simple. Did you know, for instance, that depending on the species of tree your firewood came from, when it’s freshly cut, it could have a moisture content as high as 80%? It’s true! There are a number of reasons why burning wood with a high moisture content is bad, but the biggest are as follows:
Increased Particulate Count
Wood with a very high moisture content release more particulate when it burns. This particulate is filled with tar and other substances that aren’t too kind to the human lung. Sitting close to a crackling fire that’s been lit using wood with high moisture content can make you sick and give you severe lung problems in the long term.
Increased Soot and Tar Buildup
You’ve probably heard of chimney fires. This is how they happen. The particulate that we mentioned above clogs the flue of your chimney, building up over time (which is exactly what it’s also doing to your lungs). Unfortunately, this tarry substance is also flammable. If a sufficient quantity of it builds up in the inner workings of your stove or chimney, the heat from the fire burning beneath it can be hot enough to cause it to ignite. Many homes have gone up in flames for this very reason.
It’s Unattractive
But how do you know?
Well, first, you should always buy “seasoned” firewood for burning. Reputable dealers who have been in the business for a long time mean what they say when they label their wood as “seasoned,” but some dealers aren’t as reputable as others, and you may wind up buying your wood from a source that claims their wood is well seasoned when it actually isn’t.
Fortunately, there’s’ a quick and easy way to tell exactly what the moisture content of your firewood is before you put it in your wood burning stove or fireplace. It’s a clever bit of technology called a wood moisture meter. Different models will work somewhat differently, but at the heart of it, they’re all fundamentally the same. You push pins of meter in the center of log in question, and it will detect the moisture content that the wood contains, displaying the results in a small LED readout.
The last thing you want to do is to put your home or your family at needless risk by burning wood with a high moisture content. Fortunately, there’s a handy tool that makes it so you don’t have to. It’s probably one of the most important devices you’ll own, at least as it relates to your wood burning stove or fireplace. If you don’t have one already, get one as soon as you’re able. There are a number of brands, makes and models to choose from, and something for every budget.
Author Bio - My name is Tom Bator. I have long been a fan of stove fans as I believe there is no other way to heat a room that is so efficient and cost effective. My blog "Gas & Wood Stove Fan Reviews" started as a way to explain to my friends what I was always so excited about when I talked about stove fans and has grown to include reviews of a variety of different fans so that you can find the one that suits you best.
Author Bio - My name is Tom Bator. I have long been a fan of stove fans as I believe there is no other way to heat a room that is so efficient and cost effective. My blog "Gas & Wood Stove Fan Reviews" started as a way to explain to my friends what I was always so excited about when I talked about stove fans and has grown to include reviews of a variety of different fans so that you can find the one that suits you best.
