Chimney Masters Blog

Choose seasoned hardwood — oak, hickory, ash, maple, beech or black locust — that has been split, stacked off the ground and dried for six to twelve months to a moisture content of 20% or less, which EPA Burn Wise identifies as the target for clean burning. Avoid unseasoned "green" wood, softwoods such as pine as a primary fuel, driftwood, painted or treated lumber, and anything visibly rotten. Wet wood burns cooler, produces more smoke and accelerates creosote deposits in th