How to check moisture content of wood without a moisture meter

If you’re in a pinch and need to check whether your firewood is burn-ready, but you don’t have a wood moisture meter, never fear!

In this article, we’ll discuss several quick and easy methods to check the moisture content of your wood without a moisture meter.

Noise test

The noise the wood makes when you knock it together gives you a hint as to how much moisture is in it.

For smaller pieces of wood, take one in each hand and knock them together. For larger pieces of wood, hold one piece with two hands and hit it off of another piece.

If it makes a short, dull sound, it is wetter. If it makes a sharper, higher pitched noise, then it’s more dry.

Weight test

If you have a dry piece of wood, compare its weight to a similar-sized piece you’re unsure about. You can do this by holding them or using a scale.

If the dry wood feels much lighter, the other piece likely has too much moisture to burn well.

Visual check

You can get a sense for how much moisture is in a piece of wood just from a visual inspection.

You can look at the exterior and/or chop a piece and inspect the inside. If it’s darker, it is wetter. If it’s lighter, it’s drier.

Surface test

You can test moisture by running your fingers across the wood.

If it feels cool and damp, it is wetter. If it’s dry and warmer, then it’s drier.

Cross-section check

Cut a small section of wood so you expose a fresh cross-section.

If you see water droplets forming or steam coming off of the wood, it is higher in moisture. If it’s cleaner and more crisp in appearance, it has lower moisture content.

Want ready to burn wood without the hassle?

If you live in Glasgow, Edinburgh, or any other areas across the Central Belt of Scotland, let Stewart Timber be your go-to for your firewood needs. We produce kiln-dried firewood that is Ready to Burn and Woodsure approved, so you can be confident it has a moisture content of 20% or less for efficient burning.