Firewood Moisture Content: The Secret to a Good Burn

Ever throw a log on the fire and it just sits there hissing, smoking, and making your whole living room smell like a campfire gone wrong? Yeah… that’s wet wood.

The trick to a good fire isn’t just what kind of wood you’ve got, it’s how dry it is. That’s what we mean when we talk about moisture content.

What Moisture Content Even Means

Freshly cut (or “green”) wood is basically full of water, sometimes 40–50% moisture. You might as well be trying to burn a sponge.

The sweet spot is around 12–20% moisture. That’s the perfect range where wood actually catches, burns hot, and keeps your home warm without all the smoke.

Why Dry Wood Is Better

• It lights without a fight.
• Burns hotter and longer.
• Less smoke = less gunk in your chimney.
• More heat for you, less wasted energy boiling water out of the log.

How to Tell If Your Wood Is Ready

• The Knock Test: Bang two pieces together. Dry wood sounds hollow. If it sounds dull, it’s still soggy.
• The Look: Cracks at the ends, lighter color, feels light in your hands.
• The Meter: A cheap moisture meter will give you the truth. Under 20% = happy fire.

Seasoning Wood Without Losing Your Mind

• Split it smaller so it dries faster.
• Stack it up off the ground, with some airflow.
• Cover the top, not the sides, let the wind do its thing.
• Give it time to hit that 12–20% sweet spot.

The Bottom Line

If you want a fire that burns hot, clean, and easy, the key is dry wood. That 12–20% moisture content is where the magic happens.

At Durham Firewood, we make sure our wood is seasoned right so you don’t have to mess around with soggy logs. Just light it, grab a drink, and enjoy the warmth.

Thanks for letting us bring the good wood to your home!