Choosing the right firewood for your home fire can be a thankless task, given the multitude of options out there. But one of the most crucial things to think about before settling on the right logs for your fire is the firewood moisture content. So, whether you’re seeking to stock up for your garden summer house with a log burner or planning to flame-grill chicken over an open fire pit, you need to select the right ready-to-burn fuel. Below, we explain why firewood moisture content is so important and introduce you to the perfect fuel source for your home fire this summer.
What Moisture Should Firewood Be?
For firewood to burn efficiently, the moisture percentage for firewood should be 20% or less. If logs have a higher moisture content than this, they become difficult to burn and produce more smoke. While some people opt for naturally dried logs, you can also opt for kiln-dried logs that have been industrially dried to ensure the moisture content isn’t left up to chance. All of our kiln-dried logs have been sustainably sourced and dried to a moisture content of less than 20%, ensuring they’re a low smoke emissions fuel source for your home fire.
Why is the Moisture Level of Firewood Important?
It’s really important to consider the moisture level of firewood because burning wet wood in the UK is now illegal. In 2020, the government announced new legislation to tackle household pollution and said that between 2021 and 2023, wet wood and traditional coal would be completely phased out. So, ensuring that you buy dry firewood is vital to keep on the right side of the law.
Another thing to note about the firewood moisture content is that burning wet wood is significantly worse for human health. The moisture in wet wood can lead to breathing issues - including lung cancer and heart ailments - as the smoke that is produced from burning wet wood contains tiny particulates called PM2.5. These are much more dangerous to human health because they can penetrate the bloodstream and respiratory system with notable ease when compared to larger flakes of soot.
Lastly, burning wet wood is really bad for the natural environment. Smoke emissions from wet wood are up to four times worse than those produced from kiln-dried wood, highlighting just how damaging wet wood can be for the environment. Research from Defra suggests that switching to dry wood products can reduce emissions by as much as 50%. So, the firewood moisture content is important for legal, health, and environmental reasons, illustrating just how crucial it is to select the right firewood for your home fire.
Choose the Right Fuel for Your Fire Today
Whether you’re looking for fuel for your garden summer house with log burner or planning to bolster your stock for your outdoor fire pit, choosing the right wood is essential. Our kiln-dried firewood has a firewood moisture content of less than 20% and is available in a small dinky bag, large handy bag, or standard crate, depending on your firewood needs. As you take steps to plan for your home fireplace this summer, make sure that you choose dry wood that is perfect for burning.
