The 20% Moisture Rule: Why "Seasoned" Matters
When buying firewood in Southwestern Ontario, "seasoned" is a buzzword that gets thrown around loosely. In the professional firewood and chimney industry, seasoning has a strict scientific definition: it means the internal moisture content of the wood has dropped to 20% or less.
If you burn "green" (freshly cut) or wet wood, the fire's energy is completely wasted boiling off the water inside the log rather than providing radiant heat to your room. You will hear a distinct hissing sound, and the fire will be incredibly difficult to keep lit. For more background, read our guide to burning dry wood and chimney fires.
The Hidden Danger of Burning "Green" Wood
Burning wet wood doesn't just result in a poor, smoky, and frustrating fire—it is an active safety hazard. The low-temperature smoke produced by wet wood carries heavy amounts of water vapor mixed with unburned tar.
When this heavy, wet smoke hits the relatively cooler walls of your chimney flue, it instantly condenses into a thick, sticky layer of 3rd-degree glazed creosote. This type of creosote is incredibly difficult to remove and acts as the perfect, highly-combustible fuel for a catastrophic chimney fire. If you accidentally burned wet wood last winter, it is absolutely critical that you understand the 3mm creosote fire hazard rule and book a professional chimney sweep before using your system again.
How to Properly Stack and Store Wood in Ontario
The climate in London and Southwestern Ontario is notoriously humid, which can slow down drying times. To dry your wood efficiently, you must maximize airflow and sunlight.
Wood should be split immediately (logs left in the round will rot before they dry) and stacked off the ground on pallets or rails. The stack should be placed in a sunny, breezy area, ideally a few feet away from any walls or fences that might block the wind. If you are checking a recent delivery, use our Firewood Cord Volume Calculator to confirm how much wood you actually received.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the fastest drying firewood in Ontario?
A: Ash is famously known for having a naturally low moisture content even when freshly cut. When properly split and stacked with excellent airflow, Ash can often be ready to burn in just 6 to 8 months. Conversely, dense hardwoods like Red Oak can take up to two full years to properly season.
Q: Should I cover my firewood tightly with a tarp?
A: No. Wrapping your firewood entirely in a plastic tarp is a massive mistake. It traps the moisture evaporating from the logs, creating a humid greenhouse effect. This causes the wood to rot, grow mold, and attract pests rather than dry. You should only cover the very top of the pile to protect it from direct rain and snow, leaving the sides completely exposed to the wind.
Q: Can I store my firewood inside my house or garage?
A: You should only bring a few days' worth of firewood indoors at a time. Storing cords of wood in your basement or garage introduces massive amounts of moisture and wood-boring insects (like termites and carpenter ants) into your home structure. Furthermore, indoor storage lacks the wind and sun necessary to actually dry green wood.