01/09/2026
What are you burning on your stove? Only logs with a moisture content below 20% should be used in a stove. In fact, in 2021 the sale of wet wood (i.e. wood with a moisture content higher than 20%) in volumes under 2 cubic meters was phased out altogether following new government legislation announced in 2020.
Freshly cut wood can have a water content between 60% and 80% and, if used in a stove, will amount to burning mainly water. Freshly felled timber should be cut and split into small logs and left to dry in a covered but airy store, before being used. This can take between 12 and 36 months depending on the storage conditions and most importantly species. For example, ash may only need 12 months but oak at least 36 months. This is known as seasoning.
Using dry wood also means that fewer logs are needed to produce the same level of heat. This saves money and reduces emissions because less wood is being burnt.
Check your wood fuel quality and only burn dry wood.
