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Fuel Selection: Once your wood‐burning appliance is properly installed, building an
effective fire requires good firewood (using the right wood in the right amount) and good
fire building practices. The following practical steps will help you obtain the best
efficiency from your wood stove or fireplace.
Season wood outdoors through the summer for at least 6 months before burning it.
Properly seasoned wood is darker, has cracks in the end grain, and sounds hollow when
smacked against another piece of wood.
Store wood outdoors, stacked neatly off the ground with the top covered.
Burn only dry, well‐seasoned wood that has been split properly.
Start fires with newspaper and dry kindling as discussed earlier in the manual.
Burn hot fires.
To maintain proper airflow, regularly remove ashes from your wood‐burning appliance
into a metal container with a cover and store outdoors.
Moisture Meter Information
Firewood is ready at 10‐25% moisture content.
Newly‐cut logs can have a moisture content (MC) of 80% or more, depending on species.
Since wood shrinks, and can also split, twist or otherwise change shape as it dries, most
wood is dried before being used. Air drying, or 'seasoning,' is the most common method
used for cord wood. In most parts of the United States, the minimum moisture content
that can be generally obtained in air drying is about 12 to 15 percent. Most air‐dried
material is usually closer to 20 percent moisture content when used
To test your firewood, simply push the pins into the wood and wait for a reading.
Remember, don't just stick the meter into the ends of your firewood. To get the most
accurate reading, split the wood and test the center. The center of the log will contain
the most moisture.
How Far Should I Drive Non‐Insulated Pins into Wood?
To full depth if possible. However, at moisture levels below 10%, it is usually sufficient to
make good, positive contact with the wood. At higher levels of moisture and especially if
you have a steep gradient, full penetration is a must.
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