What does it mean when your fire is smoking a lot or creating a lot of creosote? Green firewood is more than likely the culprit! Firewood that is green will have around 60% moisture content making it much harder to start a fire. It will produce a lot of smoke and put out a lot more creosote.
Bark helps to retain the wood's moisture. So to avoid moisture being a problem you need your logs cut to length and split to dry properly. Also, if you are utilizing broken limbs or downed trees they tend to not dry as well when they are left whole. Make sure you go ahead and cut those up to size to allow time to dry.
Wood that is not dried or stacked properly will rot rather than dry out. Logs left on the ground are also susceptible to molds, fungi, and insects, which can then be brought inside your home. I'm not sure of anyone who wants spiders making a cozy home by your fireplace!
Make sure to inspect your wood for fungus growth and sap which can be signs of wet or recently cut wood.
Seasoned or dried firewood will be lighter as the moisture evaporates. Making the appearance less "green". The bark will be easier to remove as well.
What's one way you can determine if your wood has any moisture? Invest in a moisture meter.
The moisture content pm of dry seasoned firewood should be 20% or less. A digital moisture meter will make sure you are ready to burn your wood.
What type of wood should you use for burning? Hardwoods are best, and oak is king. Hickory, maple, ash, pecan, and apple are all great choices. They burn hotter and cleaner. Note that many of these woods are typically used for barbecue and they smell amazing but can be a little overwhelming in the home!
Avoid softwoods like evergreens such as pine, cedar, fir, and spruce. They tend to not burn as hot as hardwoods and they produce more creosote.
Reach out with any questions you may have about burning wood in your fireplaces!
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