Checking the moisture in your firewood makes a noticeable difference in how well it burns. Measuring moisture with a meter helps you avoid the problems that come from wood that’s too wet or, sometimes, too dry. This guide shows you how to use a moisture meter, explains the moisture range that burns best, and highlights the benefits of kiln-dried firewood. Read on and you’ll know exactly how moisture affects your fireplace or stove.
Firewood moisture content is the percentage of water in the wood compared to its dry weight. That percentage matters because it changes how the wood burns. Wet wood wastes energy evaporating water, so it gives off less heat and more smoke. Wood that’s extremely dry can also cause problems, like faster creosote buildup under some conditions.
Knowing your wood’s moisture helps you get better performance from your fire. Best Burn Firewood supplies kiln-dried firewood consistently below 17 percent moisture so you get cleaner, more reliable burns.
Moisture level has a big impact on how efficiently wood burns. Higher wood moisture leads to:
Putting drier wood in the fire is one of the simplest ways to improve combustion and reduce smoke.
Low Firewood Moisture Reduces Smoke & Creosote
Low moisture in firewood cuts the amount of smoke produced and lowers creosote formation when burning.
Firewood recommendations for using firewood as an indoor heating source in Oklahoma, R DeSantis, 2024
Using a moisture meter gives you a clear, repeatable way to confirm your wood is ready to burn efficiently.
Burning wood that isn’t the right moisture level can cause several problems:
Those downsides make testing moisture before burning a smart habit.
A moisture meter is an easy tool to learn. Follow these steps and you’ll get consistent, useful readings every time.
There are two common meter styles:
Pick the style that fits how you plan to test—both will give useful results when used correctly.
To get reliable moisture meter readings, follow these tips:
Research on meter accuracy supports these practical steps for consistent measurements.
Handheld Wood Moisture Meter Accuracy
Research examined the accuracy of handheld meters. Resistance-type meters were evaluated for different wood species at 20°C using a calibration reference box.
Accuracy and functionality of hand held wood moisture content meters, 2000
Apply these best practices and your moisture meter will be a dependable guide for choosing which logs to burn.
The sweet spot for firewood moisture is generally 15–20 percent. Many experts and suppliers recommend staying under 20 percent, and we aim for under 17 percent in our kiln-dried stock. Wood over 20 percent tends to burn inefficiently and create more smoke and creosote.
Wood in the 15–20 percent range performs well because:
Hitting this range helps you get the most heat with the least smoke.
Optimum Firewood Moisture for Calorific Value
Finding the optimum moisture meter content boosts the wood’s calorific value and reduces the amount of fuel needed for a given task.
Effect of wood moisture content on the performance of wood burning cook stoves, HF Etefa, 2023
When firewood measures under 17 percent moisture, you get:
Kiln-dried and seasoned firewood both aim for the same moisture meter goal, but they get there differently. Kiln drying speeds the process in a controlled environment; seasoning relies on air and time. That difference affects how quickly the wood is ready and how consistent the moisture is from log to log.
Kiln drying uses controlled heat and airflow to pull moisture out of the wood fast. That control lets producers reach target moisture—often below 20 percent and commonly in the 15–17 percent range—much sooner than air drying. The main benefits are:
Seasoning time varies widely—typically six months to two years—depending on conditions. Key factors are:
Knowing these factors helps you choose the right source and storage method for reliable fuel.
Keeping firewood dry is one of the easiest ways to improve burning. Use the storage and handling tips below to preserve low moisture levels.
Good storage practices include:
Follow these simple steps and your wood will stay closer to the ideal moisture range.
Test wood right before you burn it, especially during the heating season. Keep these points in mind:
Testing before use helps avoid smoky, inefficient fires.
Here are answers to the questions we hear most often about a moisture meter for wood and testing.
A meter is the most accurate tool, but you can do quick checks without one:
Yes—wood can be excessively dry, which brings its own quirks:
Seasoned wood usually shows a few clear signs: visible cracks on the log ends, a hollow or ringing sound when two pieces are struck, looser bark, and a noticeably lighter weight compared with fresh-cut wood. Those cues mean the wood has lost much of its moisture and is ready to burn well.
Wet wood often feels heavy and may look dark or damp. When tapped together, wet logs give a dull thud rather than a sharp, hollow sound. If the wood smokes a lot when burned, that’s another sign it’s too wet. A moisture meter will give you the exact number if you want to be certain.
To speed drying, split the wood into smaller pieces, stack it off the ground on pallets or a rack, and place the stack in a sunny, windy spot. Cover the top to keep precipitation off but leave the sides open for airflow. Those steps accelerate moisture loss without trapping humidity.
Regular meters may work, but a wood-specific moisture meter is calibrated for wood properties and will give more reliable readings at the lower moisture ranges typical of seasoned logs. If you burn wood regularly, investing in a wood meter is worthwhile.
Burning wet wood raises smoke and particulate emissions, which can harm air quality and human health. It also leads to inefficient combustion, wasting fuel and increasing creosote buildup in chimneys. Using properly dried wood reduces these environmental and health impacts.
Different species dry at different rates and burn differently. Hardwoods like oak and hickory are dense and take longer to season but burn hotter and longer. Softwoods dry faster and light more easily but can burn quicker and, if wet, may produce more creosote. Choose wood type based on how you plan to use it and how long you can season it.
Moisture matters. Testing firewood with a meter and following basic storage and seasoning practices will give you hotter, cleaner fires and fewer headaches. Aim for the 15–20 percent range—our kiln-dried wood under 17 percent takes the guesswork out of it. For dependable performance and less smoke, explore our kiln-dried firewood selection today.
Interested in learning more information about firewood? Take a look at the rest of Woody's Firewood Information! For the best firewood experience, trust Best Burn Firewood to provide kiln-dried, ready-to-burn, safe hardwoods throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. Our premium hardwoods burn hotter, cleaner, and more efficiently—perfect for home heating and outdoor fires. Explore our firewood delivery pricing and hardwood options today: Best Burn Firewood Pricing & Orders. 🔥
