The moisture contained in unseasoned wood causes creosote to build up in a chimney. Creosote is the condensation of unburned, flammable particulates present in the exhausting flue gas (smoke). The actual cause of creosote condensation is the surface temperature of the flue in which the flue gas comes in contact. Like hot breath on a cold mirror, if the surface temperature of the flue is cool, it will cause the vaporized carbon particles in the flue gas (smoke) to solidify. This condensation is creosote.

If the wood you are using is rain logged, or green, the fire will tend to smolder rather than burn with a bright flame. Wet wood causes the whole woodstove or fireplace system to be cool, and inefficient.

Dry firewood produces a hot fire and little to no creosote buildup in the chimney. Burning seasoned firewood means that the fire will burn hot and a hot flue reduces creosote.

To season firewood it must be cut and split and then allowed to dry for at least one year. The slit firewood should be stacked either in a woodshed or under a tarp where it is exposed to the free air and heat of the sun. The air will circulate through the stacked wood to carry away the moisture as the sun heats the wood. Because it is under the cover of a woodshed or tarp it will be protected from rain and snow which will accelerate the drying process.

When the firewood is seasoned, there will be many cracks that form on the end of each piece. In addition, if you strike the end of a piece of seasoned firewood it will have a metallic ring to it as opposed to unseasoned firewood which will have a dull clunk to it.

Always avoid burning unseasoned or green firewood in your woodstove or fireplace. It isn’t worth the hassle of trying to get it to burn and in the event that you do get it to burn it will form creosote in the chimney which can be a fire hazard.

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