Why Seasoned Firewood?
Seasoned firewood will have a moisture content of 20% or less. However, because water bonds so tightly to wood molecules it is impossible to dry out 100% of the moisture. The lower the moisture content the faster and easier seasoned firewood will burn, but there are also several other important factors as well. Consequently, seasoned firewood will burn hotter and safer. A hot fire with seasoned firewood will burn more efficient and cleaner. This means it will burn off particles in the wood stove instead of them going up the chimney or stove pipe, which has several major benefits. First, reducing un-burned particles exiting the wood stove drastically improves emissions and reduces pollution. Second, a hotter fire will greatly reduce creosote deposits in the chimney or stove pipe. Excessive creosote is extremely dangerous and can lead to chimney fires. Cleaning the chimney annually is strongly recommended.