Rant: Just learned creosote buildup is way worse if you burn green wood

Been sweeping chimneys for about 8 years now and I always knew green wood was bad, but I didn't know how bad until I read a study from the Chimney Safety Institute last week. Turns out burning unseasoned wood can create up to 4 times more creosote than dry wood that's under 20% moisture. I had a customer last winter who was burning stuff he cut from his backyard like two weeks prior. When I cleaned his flue in the spring I pulled out almost a full 5 gallon bucket of that shiny black crust. It was the worst I've ever seen outside of a rental property. Got me thinking about how many folks just throw any log they can find into their stove without checking moisture. Do you guys test moisture content on site or just go by what the homeowner tells you?

2 comments

2 Comments

phoenix_adams607d ago

Green wood is definitely worse, but folks make it sound like everyone who burns anything besides kiln dried lumber is asking for a house fire. Reality is a lot of people burn what they got because seasoned firewood costs a small fortune in some areas. I've seen plenty of setups with less than ideal wood that still manage fine if the stove is run hot enough and cleaned regularly. Sometimes you gotta work with what you got instead of shaming people for not owning a moisture meter.

adams.harper2d ago

Right? Next they’ll shame us for not having a PhD in firewood physics.