How to Tell If Firewood is Seasoned

Seasoned firewood burns hotter and with less smoke than freshly cut firewood. Typically, firewood should dry for about six months before being burned. But in case you aren’t sure how to tell if firewood is seasoned, here are a few tips for checking:

• Well-seasoned firewood is darker and grayer in color than fresh wood.

• When knocked together, seasoned logs will make a hollow “clunk” sound.

• Cracks will appear in the ends of the logs.

• On seasoned logs the bark will be loose and start to fall off.

For the more detail-oriented, the ideal moisture content of firewood should be below 20%.

Firewood Moisture Meters to Determine If Your Firewood Is Seasoned

Moisture meters are designed for testing firewood and will give you a digital readout of the percent of moisture in your firewood.

Last updated by Tom at July 27, 2016.

About Tom

Tom has been writing for the FireplaceMall.com blog since 2011 and has loved sitting in front of the fireplace since he was an itty-bitty boy.