This article is provided as a public service by the Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, in cooperation with the UAF research community. Larry Gedney is a seismologist at the Institute. As the wood stove continues its comeback, many who had never given the matter much thought are now becoming interested in how to burn wood efficiently.
Wood burns in three stages.
First, the water which it contains must be evaporated. Otherwise, a large percentage of the energy that could be used for heat goes into turning all that water into steam. A further detrimental effect of burning unseasoned wood is that it results in a higher rate of creosote buildup in the chimney. This is not because green wood contains more creosote-forming materials, but that it produces a cooler fire. This permits the excess moisture, along with the dissolved volatile gases and tars, to condense more readily on the inner walls of the chimney.