Why You Should Only Burn Seasoned Wood in Your Fireplace

Any wood will do for building a fire, right? Well, maybe for a campfire, but for your fireplace, it had better be seasoned firewood, because using green or treated wood can increase the risk of toxic gases flowing into the room or a house fire. If you think all wood is equal when it comes to your fireplace, this post will show you why that’s not true.

What is Seasoned Firewood?

Seasoned firewood is wood that has been cut, split, and allowed to dry long enough for most of its internal moisture to evaporate. Freshly cut wood, “green” wood, can contain anywhere from 40% to 60% moisture. Seasoned firewood, by contrast, typically has a moisture content between 15% and 20%.
Seasoning usually takes six months to a year, or for a season, depending on the wood species, climate, and how the wood is stored. Hardwoods like oak take longer to season than softer woods like pine, but they also burn longer and produce more heat once properly dried.

Why Seasoned Firewood is Better Than Green Wood

Seasoned firewood burns hotter, cleaner, and more efficiently. Because most of the moisture has evaporated, the fire doesn’t waste energy trying to boil water out of the wood. Instead, more of the heat goes directly into warming the home. Here are the key benefits to using seasoned wood.

• More heat output: Dry wood ignites easily and produces steady, consistent heat.
• Cleaner burns: Seasoned wood creates less smoke and fewer emissions.
• Less creosote buildup: Because it burns more completely, seasoned firewood reduces the amount of creosote that builds up in the chimney.
• Easier fires: You spend less time struggling to get logs to catch and stay lit.

If you want to get the best performance out of your fireplace or wood stove, seasoned firewood is the answer.

Why Burning Green Wood is a Bad Idea

There are still people out there who insist that wood is wood, and it’s all good to use in your fireplace. But burning green or unseasoned wood causes a host of problems that could put your home at risk.

• Excessive smoke that can spill back into the house
• Heavy creosote buildup in the chimney increases the risk of a chimney fire
• Lower heat output, meaning you’re not getting the best bang for your buck in terms of fuel
• More frequent chimney cleanings and maintenance costs

Green wood tends to smolder instead of burn, which is one of the worst conditions for creosote formation. Over time, this can lead to dangerous chimney conditions that could cause a fire.

How to Know Wood is Ready to Burn

We hope you’re convinced that seasoned wood is the only wood you should burn in your fireplace, but how do you know it’s ready? There are a few easy ways to tell.

Look at the Ends

Seasoned firewood often has splits or cracks radiating from the ends. Green wood looks smooth and freshly cut.

Feel the Weight

Dry wood feels noticeably lighter than green wood of the same size due to the decrease in moisture.

Do the Knock Test

Bang two logs together. Seasoned wood makes a sharp, hollow sound, while green wood sounds dull and heavy.

Use a Moisture Meter

For a more accurate measurement, get a moisture meter that tells you how dry your wood is. Anything under 20% moisture is good to burn.

Don’t Burn Treated Wood or Trash

Many people treat their fireplaces like garbage disposals, putting everything in them from old furniture, Christmas trees, paper, plywood, etc. Sure, it’s a convenient way to get rid of stuff, but if you have to burn these materials, do it outside, never in the fireplace.

Treated or painted lumber, painted boards, and stained wood contain chemicals that can release toxic fumes when burned, and you don’t want that in your house. These fumes are harmful to breathe and corrosive to your chimney.

Plywood and engineered wood, like particle board and MDF, contain glues and resins that create dangerous smoke that can speed up creosote formation.

Remember: just because you can burn it doesn’t mean you should burn it.

Have More Questions? Call Chimney Saver Solutions!

Chimney Saver Solutions is the most trusted chimney and fireplace professional in Richmond, VA. We have over two decades of experience and are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Fireplace Institute. Call or click here for an appointment.