Matrix
Insert
Installation
and
Operation
Manual
______________________________________________________________________________
15
3.2.5
HOW
TO
DRY
FIREWOOD
Firewood
that
is
not
dry
enough
to
burn
is
the
cause
of
most
complaints
about
wood
inserts.
Continually
burning
green
or
unseasoned
wood
produces
more
creosote
and
involves
lack
of
heat
and
dirty
glass
door.
See
Section
5:
Maintaining
your
wood
heating
system
for
concerns
about
creosote.
Here
are
some
things
to
consider
in
estimating
drying
time:
•
firewood
takes
a
long
time
to
dry
•
firewood
bought
from
a
dealer
is
rarely
dry
enough
to
burn,
so
it
is
advisable
to
buy
the
wood
in
spring
and
dry
it
yourself
•
drying
happens
faster
in
dry
weather
than
in
damp,
maritime
climates
•
drying
happens
faster
in
warm
summer
weather
than
in
winter
weather
•
small
pieces
dry
more
quickly
than
large
pieces
•
split
pieces
dry
more
quickly
than
unsplit
rounds
•
softwoods
take
less
time
to
dry
than
hardwoods
•
softwoods
like
pine,
spruce,
and
poplar/aspen
can
be
dry
enough
to
burn
after
being
stacked
in
the
open
for
only
the
summer
months
•
hardwoods
like
oak,
maple
and
ash
can
take
one,
or
even
two
years
to
dry
fully,
especially
if
the
pieces
are
big
•
firewood
dries
more
quickly
when
stacked
in
the
open
where
it
is
exposed
to
sun
and
wind;
it
takes
much
longer
to
dry
when
stacked
in
a
wood
shed
•
firewood
that
is
ready
to
burn
has
a
moisture
content
between15
and
20%
by
weight
and
will
allow
your
insert
to
produce
its
highest
possible
efficiency