If you’re like most people, you probably think that all firewood is the same. However, that’s not actually the case. In fact, there’s a big difference between seasoned and unseasoned firewood.
Seasoned firewood is wood that has been cut and allowed to dry for at least six months. Unseasoned firewood, on the other hand, is wood that has been freshly cut and still contains a lot of moisture.
So does it really matter which kind of wood you use to fuel your fireplace or bonfire? As it turns out, it does.
Below are just a few of the benefits of using seasoned firewood instead of unseasoned wood.
Seasoned Wood
The main advantage of seasoned wood is that it burns more efficiently than unseasoned wood. The drying process helps to remove the water content from the wood, making it lighter and easier to burn.
Seasoned wood also produces less smoke and spark than unseasoned wood, making it safer to use in your fireplace or wood stove.
The downside of seasoned wood is that it can be more expensive than unseasoned wood. This is because the drying process takes time, so you’ll have to plan ahead if you want to use seasoned wood.
Seasoned wood can also be difficult to find if you don’t live in an area where trees are cut down for firewood.
Unseasoned Wood
Unseasoned wood is less expensive than seasoned wood because it doesn’t require the same amount of time to dry. You can also usually find unseasoned wood more easily than seasoned wood since it’s generally more readily available.
Unseasoned wood is heavier than seasoned wood though and it produces more smoke and sparks when burned. This means that it’s not an ideal option to be used in your fireplace or wood stove.
Unseasoned wood also does not burn as well as seasoned wood, so you’ll need to use more of it to produce the same amount of heat.
Difference between unseasoned and seasoned wood
There are a number of ways that unseasoned and seasoned wood differ, including moisture content, appearance, price, ease of use, burning efficiency, and safety.
- Moisture content – Unseasoned wood contains a much higher moisture content than seasoned wood, which makes it heavier and more difficult to burn.
- Appearance – Unseasoned wood tends to be darker in color while seasoned wood is a lighter, more yellowish brown.
- Price – Unseasoned wood is typically less expensive than seasoned wood because it doesn’t require as much time to dry.
- Weight – Unseasoned wood is heavier than seasoned wood, which can make it more difficult to handle.
- Burning efficiency – Unseasoned wood tends to produce more smoke and sparks when burned, making it less efficient for use in fireplaces or wood stoves.
- Color – Seasoned wood is typically a lighter color, while unseasoned wood tends to be darker.
- Ease of use – Seasoned wood is generally easier to burn and more efficient than unseasoned wood, as it burns cleaner with less smoke and fewer sparks.
- Smell – Seasoned firewood has a different smell than unseasoned wood, which can be an important factor if you’re sensitive to smells.
- Safety – Seasoned firewood is considered safer to use since it produces less smoke and sparks when burned.
- Shape – Seasoned wood can shrink and crack as the moisture content decreases, which can result in a more irregular shape than a piece of unseasoned wood.
- Bark – Unseasoned wood tends to have the bark still attached, while seasoned wood is usually free of bark.
Why is burning unseasoned wood bad?
The dangers of burning unseasoned wood are twofold. First, unseasoned wood – also referred to as green wood – contains a higher moisture content and produces less heat than dry, seasoned wood. This makes it inefficient for use in fireplaces or wood stoves and can increase your fuel costs.
Second, the smoke from burning green wood often contains harmful chemicals that contribute to air pollution. These toxins can be damaging to your health and may also impact the environment by worsening air quality
Burning green wood also causes creosote build-up in your fireplace or wood stove, which can increase the risk of a chimney fire. That’s another reason why it is often recommended that you avoid burning green wood and instead choose dry, seasoned wood to ensure efficient and safe heating.
Final Thoughts
The type of firewood you use is ultimately up to you. If you’re looking for the most efficient option that will save you money in the long run, seasoned wood is the way to go.
If you’re on a budget though or if you’re having trouble finding seasoned firewood, unseasoned firewood can be a good alternative. Just make sure to use it with caution and pay attention to how efficiently it burns so that you can achieve the best possible results.
Whether you choose seasoned or unseasoned wood, just be sure to select firewood of high quality and use it with caution to ensure safety and efficiency.