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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