Why dryness matters
Wet wood wastes heat boiling off water and makes cool, smoky fires that leave creosote. Dry wood burns hot and clean.
It is the single best habit for a clean chimney.
Best woods for the region
Oak, hickory, maple and ash are dense and burn long and hot. Cherry and birch are pleasant and a little quicker. Pine and other softwoods burn fast and suit kindling.
Never burn painted, treated or pressure-treated wood.
How long to season
Split wood dries in about six months to a year, and dense hardwoods like oak may need a year or more. Unsplit logs take much longer.
Start early in the year.
Stacking and storing
Stack off the ground, split side up, with the sides open to the wind and the top covered. Do not wrap the whole stack in plastic.
Keep it a few feet from the house.
Testing dryness
Cracks in the ends, a hollow sound when two pieces are knocked together and light weight are signs. A moisture meter gives a number, and under about twenty percent is a common target.
Test a freshly split face.
Burning it well
Start hot, keep the fire bright and give it air. A smoldering fire makes creosote even with dry wood.
Open the damper first.
Burn split, dry hardwood hot and keep it stacked off the ground with the top covered.
