If you've ever fought with a fire that hisses, smokes and never really gets going, the wood was probably too wet.
Moisture is the single biggest thing that decides how well firewood burns. That's why we kiln-dry our firewood briquettes to around 8%. Here's what that number means, and why it matters.
What does moisture content mean?
Moisture content is how much water is in the wood, measured against the weight of the dry wood itself. So 8% moisture means there's 8 kg of water for every 100 kg of dry wood.
Freshly cut wood holds a lot of water. Seasoned firewood is generally expected to be under 20%. Our briquettes sit at around 8%.
Why drier wood burns better
More heat. Before wood can burn, the fire has to boil off the water inside it. Every bit of water is energy that goes up the chimney as steam instead of warming your home.
Easier lighting. Dry wood catches fast. No more sitting in front of the heater with a pile of firelighters.
Less smoke. Wet wood smoulders. Dry wood burns cleanly, which is better for the air in your home and in your street.
A cleaner flue. Cool, smoky fires leave sticky creosote inside your chimney. Hot, clean fires leave far less. That means less maintenance and a lower risk of a chimney fire.
How we get to 8%
Our briquettes are made from clean timber offcuts and sawdust from Victorian furniture makers. We kiln-dry it, then press it into dense bricks under huge pressure. No glue, no chemicals. Read more on how our firewood bricks are made.
Because every brick is made the same way, every brick has the same low moisture. No guessing, no wet logs hiding in the middle of the pile.
Will 8% burn too fast?
It's a fair question. Very dry, light wood like kindling does burn quickly. Our briquettes are different. They're pressed so dense that they burn steadily and leave a deep bed of coals.
A few tips to get the most out of them:
- Add two or three bricks at a time, not a full firebox.
- Give the fire plenty of air for 15 to 20 minutes after loading, then turn it down a little.
- Bricks can expand slightly as they burn, so leave some room.
Our wood heater tips cover this in more detail.
How to check your firewood
The easiest way is a moisture meter. Split a piece of wood and press the pins into the fresh face. Anything over 20% isn't ready to burn.
No meter? Wet wood usually feels heavy and cool, looks dark, and hisses or bubbles in the fire. Dry wood is lighter, sounds hollow when knocked together and catches quickly.
Keep it dry once it's home
Getting wood to 8% is our job. Keeping it there is yours. Briquettes soak up water like a sponge, so keep the lid on your bin and keep it under cover. Here's how to store firewood briquettes.
Keep that 8% at 8%
Our Firewood Bin Cover fits your 240L bin and keeps the rain out, so your briquettes stay bone dry. Just $30.
Get a bin coverThe takeaway
Drier firewood means more heat, less smoke and a cleaner chimney. Our briquettes arrive at around 8% moisture and ready to burn. Keep them dry, load them a few at a time and enjoy a better fire all winter.
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