You may be accustomed to the long wait usually associated with seasoning logs if you cut your own logs or purchase unseasoned logs. Depending on the type of wood you’re seasoning and how wet it is when you buy it, drying out logs can take anywhere from six months to two years.
We've heard horror stories where people have purchased logs which they are told are seasoned but are not, or are not quite dry enough. Burning unseasoned logs can risk damage to your fireplace and chimney.
Even if the wood has been stacked for a year, it may still not be ready to burn. At HouseFuel, we recommend burning logs with a preferable moisture level of 20% or less. But how can you tell when logs are seasoned?
Here are seven ways to tell if your logs are dry enough to burn:
- Seasoned logs are much drier than green logs, therefore weighing less.
- The drier the wood, the looser the bark. The log may have bare patches, and the bark will chip away easily.
- You may notice radial cracks on the log, reaching out towards the bark. Cracks can often form on unseasoned logs, so the formation of cracks should not be the only method to see if the logs are ready to be burnt.
- Unseasoned wood has a strong but pleasant ‘sappy’ aroma, fading to a light woody smell once the log is dried.
- Seasoned logs are of more faded and less vibrant colour.
- Hit two pieces of wood together. They should make a more hollow ringing sound like a ‘clunk’ rather than a dull thudding sound.
- Moisture Probe. You can buy probes to test the moisture level of wood if necessary.
If you’d prefer not to season your logs or run out of logs and need a fast replacement, kiln-dried logs offer a safe and convenient alternative.