What is a moisture meter?

It’s a small device about twice the size of a deck of playing cards.  There are two probes or pins on one end of the meter that penetrate the wood to check the moisture content.  If you’re a wood burner, you know the importance of burning dry wood.  How dry is dry?  Wood with a moisture content of 25% or less should be your goal.  This wood will create less smoke, less creosote and will burn hotter than wood with a higher moisture content.

A good habit to get into if you are burning wood:  1) Cut it.  2) Split it.  3) Stack it.  4) Protect it from rain and snow.  5) And, leave it for a year!  This habit will help ensure your wood is dry enough to burn.  Some wood-burners with experience can bang a couple pieces of wood together and determine if it’s dry enough to use by the sound it makes.  Dry wood has a clear, raspy “whack” to it.  Wetter, unseasoned wood will have a dull “thud” sound.  Regardless of your experience, if you want to be sure you are getting optimum performance from your stove and the most heat from the wood you’ve cut and stacked, pick up a moisture meter.  You can buy a reliable model between $20.00 – $50.00.