That crackling sound: comforting or concerning?
The sound of a fire crackling in the background is one of the reasons people love burning wood — it’s nostalgic, atmospheric, and signals warmth. But is all crackling normal?
Not quite. Some crackling is harmless — but excessive popping, hissing, or loud bangs can indicate damp wood, poor combustion or even safety issues. Let’s break it down.
What causes a fire to crackle?
When wood heats up, the moisture and sap inside the log begin to vaporise. As that steam escapes through small air pockets and cracks, it creates pressure — eventually popping or cracking as it bursts out.
If your logs are especially noisy or spitting sparks, it’s usually caused by excess internal moisture, especially in logs that haven’t been properly dried or seasoned.
Here’s what the different sounds might mean:
-
Gentle crackling: Normal and expected, especially with birch
-
Sharp popping: Likely moisture escaping under pressure
-
Hissing or sizzling: High water content — your log might be too wet to burn cleanly
-
Spitting sparks: Resinous wood (like softwood or unseasoned wood) — not ideal for stoves or open fires
Why it matters
Apart from being annoying or messy, excess moisture in firewood can lead to:
-
Lower heat output
-
More smoke and emissions
-
Buildup of tar and soot in your chimney or flue
-
Increased risk of chimney fires
-
Damage to stoves, flue linings or pizza oven interiors
The moisture content sweet spot
The UK’s Ready to Burn scheme requires logs to have less than 20% moisture. But the best performing logs are drier still. At The Logsmith, we go a step further — every log we sell is ultra kiln dried to under 15% moisture.
That means they burn cleanly, light easily, and produce less noise and mess. You’ll still get that lovely ambient crackle — just not the violent pops of water turning to steam inside your logs.
How to reduce crackling
If you’re noticing excessive crackling, try these tips:
-
Check your wood’s moisture with a simple moisture meter (under 15% is ideal)
-
Only burn kiln dried or properly seasoned hardwood
-
Store your logs indoors or in a ventilated, dry area to keep moisture low
-
Avoid softwood or fresh cut logs that haven’t been dried
Also, avoid using logs that have been rained on or stored in damp sheds — even dry wood can reabsorb water over time.
Some woods crackle more than others
Here’s how our hardwoods compare:
-
Birch: Naturally crackles more due to thin bark and sap content — but it’s quick to light and clean burning
-
Ash: Burns steadily and evenly, with minimal sound
-
Oak: Dense and slow burning — quieter with a strong, steady flame
If you want a more silent, steady burn — ash or oak are your best bet.
Safe for stoves and pizza ovens
All our firewood is suitable for modern stoves, pizza ovens, BBQs and open fires — with no hidden moisture, resin or additives. That means cleaner glass, longer burns and less popping, so you can enjoy the fire without worrying about noise or safety.
In summary:
-
A little crackle is normal
-
Popping, hissing or spitting is often a sign of moisture
-
The drier the log, the quieter and cleaner the burn
-
Kiln dried hardwoods like ours are your best choice for performance and peace of mind
If in doubt, check the moisture. Or just choose ultra dry wood from The Logsmith — so you can enjoy the warm glow, not the noise.