Heating your home with wood? There’s a new tool in the ORL’s Library of Things that can help you find out whether your firewood is ready to burn. A moisture meter is a simple handheld tool that measures the moisture content of wood. Insert the meter’s two pins into a piece of firewood and the LED display provides an approximate moisture reading.
Why does that matter? Firewood should have a moisture content of less than 20% before burning. Wood can look and feel dry on the outside while still holding moisture inside, so testing can give you a better idea of whether it is properly seasoned and ready for your wood stove.
Drier Wood, Cleaner Burning
Wet firewood burns less efficiently and produces more smoke. Wood smoke can contain fine particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, and other pollutants. Using properly dried firewood can help reduce smoke and improve burning efficiency. BC Lung recommends allowing firewood to dry for at least six months and keeping it sheltered from rain and snow while still allowing air to circulate.
A quick check with a Moisture Meter can help take some of the guesswork out of the process. For more information, please see the complete indoor air quality guide from the BC Lung Foundation.
Borrow One from the Library
The Moisture Meter Kit is now available through the ORL’s Library of Things, where your library card can help you explore useful equipment, technology, learning tools, and more. Each kit includes information to help you use the meter, understand your readings, and learn more about wood smoke and indoor air quality.
The Moisture Meters were provided to the Okanagan Regional Library by the BC Lung Foundation through a generous grant from the Community Foundation of North Okanagan.
Explore Beyond Books
From tools for your home to technology, learning kits, and unexpected things to try, there’s plenty more to discover in the ORL’s Library of Things.
Need More Help?
Call us at 1-844-649-8127 or email help@orl.bc.ca. Please include as many details as you can about your question, account, or device. This helps us support you more quickly and accurately.
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