Best Firewood Moisture Meter

Firewood moisture meters are a fantastic way of measuring how much moisture is contained within your wood before burning it on the stove or in a fireplace.

Whether you plan to burn your firewood indoors or outdoors, it mustn’t contain too much moisture or it won’t burn as well.

Purchasing a moisture meter that can provide accurate readings will ensure that you are burning wood that can provide the best flames and heat distribution which in turn will result in a nicer cleanup and less maintenance overall.

However, with so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to know where to start when it comes to choosing the perfect meter for you which is why we have gathered the top five firewood moisture meters available on the market followed by an exclusive Buyers Guide and FAQ so you can learn what to look out for when conducting your research. 

Here are the top five firewood moisture meters available on the market that you should consider:

General Tools MMD4E Digital Moisture Meter

Our first recommendation is the General Tools MMD4E Digital Moisture Meter which quickly determines the level of moisture in a variety of materials as well as firewood.

This meter includes large 0.3 inch high digits on a backlit LCD which allows for easy and quick detecting while the mildew scanner incorporates 8mm stainless steel pins and a protective cap that also doubles up as a calibration checker.

Allowing you to continuously check and test the moisture level of any material with high accuracy, you don’t have to worry about the effectiveness of this meter. 

What makes this moisture meter our top pick is that its gauge has a broad range of 5% to 50% for wood and 1.5% to 33% for other building materials such as drywall and concrete making it highly versatile.

This meter can also pinpoint exactly where the highest point of concentration is in the middle making it great whether you are using the wood for burning or are working on a larger project.

After three minutes of inactivity, this meter will turn off automatically saving battery life as well as ensuring that there is no chance of overheating. 

Pros:

• Includes large 0.3 inch high digits on a backlit LCD which allows for easy and quick detecting while the mildew scanner incorporates 8mm stainless steel pins and a protective cap that also doubles up as a calibration checker
• Its gauge has a broad range of 5% to 50% for wood and 1.5% to 33% for other building materials such as drywall and concrete making it highly versatile
• Can also pinpoint exactly where the highest point of concentration is in the middle making it great whether you are using the wood for burning or are working on a larger project

Cons:

• Leaves a small puncture in the materials

Tavool Wood Moisture Meter

Our second selection is the Tavool Wood Moisture Meter which is a highly accurate and quick measuring tool that has been designed with two high-precision pins that can pinpoint the pockets of moisture within the wood or other materials.

It can also indicate areas of corrosion and mold easily and can help to prevent any further buildup. It also features eight calibration scales for wood measuring making it great for any kind of manufacturer and a wide variety of woods.

The two measuring modes allow for a wide application so whether you are planning on burning the wood or working on a large project, you’ll be able to adjust the settings and receive a more accurate reading. 

This meter has quick detection and is easy to use thanks to its multifunctional use and its sensitivity to any wetness behind any kind of wood.

The meter has also been designed with a backlit LED screen which makes the reading easy to read while the hold key freezes the text so you can take your time recording the readings when working on larger projects.

It also comes with a memory function, a max and min moisture measurement, temperature readings in C and F, and an automatic power-off after 10 minutes of inactivity. 

Pros:

• Has been designed with two high-precision pins that can pinpoint the pockets of moisture within the wood or other materials
• The two measuring modes allow for a wide application so whether you are planning on burning the wood or working on a large project
• Features a backlit LED screen which makes the reading easy to read while the hold key freezes the text so you can take your time recording the readings when working on larger projects

Cons:

• Doesn’t come with instructions on how to use it

General Tools MMD7NP Digital Moisture Meter

Our third choice is the General Tools MMD7NP Digital Moisture Meter which helps to determine the moisture level in softwood, hardwood, and other materials making it extremely versatile.

Helping to protect work surfaces, this meter has no pins which help to prevent any pinholes, scratches, and scuffing to the surface.

Featuring an array of visual and audible alerts, this meter emits high-pitched tones to provide an accurate read on where the moisture is mostly concentrated and indicates this on the tricolor LED display clearly and quickly.

The deep reads can reach up to ¾ deep of the material which heightens the accuracy of the readings. 

This meter is extremely easy to read and use thanks to the auto-calibrating, 2-inch diagonal backlit LCD screen and a tricolor LED bar graph which displays the information clearly whilst also featuring an auto power-off function, out of range alarm and low battery for extra convenience.

One of the best options thanks its non-penetrative workings, this meter is fantastic for those who are working on projects and don’t want to damage the surface of the wood. 

Pros:

• Helps to determine the moisture level in softwood, hardwood, and other materials making it extremely versatile
• Featuring an array of visual and audible alerts, this meter emits high-pitched tones to provide an accurate read on where the moisture is mostly concentrated and indicates this on the tricolor LED display clearly and quickly
• Extremely easy to read and use thanks to the auto-calibrating, 2-inch diagonal backlit LCD screen and a tricolor LED bar graph which displays the information clearly whilst also featuring an auto power-off function, out of range alarm and low battery for extra convenience

Cons:

• High price point

Calculated Industries 7440 AccuMASTER XT Digital Moisture Meter

Our penultimate recommendation is the Calculated Industries 7440 AccuMASTER XT Digital Moisture Meter which can calculate accurate moisture readings in a variety of different materials such as wood and concrete among more.

Ensuring that the firewood is ready to burn, the super-sharp pins are stuck into the wood and determine whether its moisture content is low (between 5% and 11%), medium (between 12% and 15%), or high (between 16% and 50%) so you can see whether it is ready to use.

You can check any lumber and hardwood to see if it is ready for burning, building, or woodwork depending on your usage for all projects. 

This moisture meter is incredibly easy to use thanks to the large backlit screen which makes the readings easy to read and the sturdy body which boasts an ergonomic design and feels solid when pressing the pins into any material.

The hold key freezes the reading so you can take your time noting it down if you are working on a large project.

Boasting a variety of features, this meter has moisture levels indicated by icons and audio alerts as well as an automatic shut-off, and built-in calibration test pins. 

Pros:

• The super-sharp pins are stuck into the wood and determine whether its moisture content is low (between 5% and 11%), medium (between 12% and 15%), or high (between 16% and 50%) 
• Easy to use thanks to the large backlit screen which makes the readings easy to read and the sturdy body which boasts an ergonomic design and feels solid when pressing the pins into any material
• Has moisture levels indicated by icons and audio alerts as well as an automatic shut-off, and built-in calibration test pins

Cons:

• Can be inaccurate in its readings

Proster Wood Moisture Meter

Our final selection is the Proster Wood Moisture Meter which has a wide range of use as it can be used for a variety of materials including firewood, cardboard, and paper among much more.

The high accurate measure utilizes sensitive electrode pins which means that the accuracy is a staggering 99.9%.

Featuring four different modes, you can switch between them according to the different wood groups which include around 50 different species of wood which means that you will receive more accurate readings. 

This moisture meter has an extremely convenient design which includes a large HD LCD with a data hold function that shows your measure results clearly.

The auto power-off helps to save the battery power while the ergonomic design ensures that you don’t suffer from hand fatigue.

Made from high-quality materials, this meter is made from ABS plastic which boasts superior durability and comes packaged in environmental packaging. 

Pros:

• Has a wide range of use as it can be used for a variety of materials including firewood, cardboard, and paper among much more
• Featuring four different modes, you can switch between them according to the different wood groups which include around 50 different species of wood which means that you will receive more accurate readings
• Made from high-quality materials, this meter is made from ABS plastic which boasts superior durability and comes packaged in environmental packaging

Cons:

• Settings are not as extensive as other options

Buyers Guide

When conducting your research, there are certain factors that you have to consider before making any purchase.

This will prevent any disappointment as well as allow you to know what to expect when your product arrives.

Always think about the materials that the moisture meter is made from, the various settings it has, any warranty period it comes with, and your budget.

Once you have weighed these aspects against your own needs and requirements, you’ll be able to make a fully informed decision with confidence. 

Material

The first thing you need to consider is the materials used in the construction of the moisture meter.

Making sure that it is made with durable materials such as ABS plastic will ensure that it will withstand years of heavy-duty use making it highly reliable and determining the longevity and overall quality of the meter.

Settings

The next aspect you should think about are the settings that come with the meter and ensuring that the product gives as much accuracy in its readings as possible.

Meters that come with a variety of different modes mean that you can measure different woods which can have an effect on the accuracy of reading and therefore mean that you will get better results.

Warranty

Another factor you should always consider is whether the product comes with a warranty period or returns policy.

Not only does this provide extra peace of mind, but it will also ensure the longevity and quality of the product.

The brands also have customer service teams who are specially trained to help you with any technical queries and issues you may have so you can get the most from your product.

Budget

Lastly, always think about your budget.

As you can see from the recommendations provided in this guide, there are meters at varying price points meaning that whether you have the money to spend or are working with a stricter budget, you’ll be able to find the perfect option for you that isn’t going to break the bank. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Moisture Meters Work On Firewood?

Moisture meters are considered an essential part of the wood-burning process whether you are using the firewood for a stove or fireplace.

This is because they can detect how much moisture it contains which in turn affects the effectiveness of how well it will burn.

What Is An Acceptable Moisture Level In Wood?

When it comes to calculating the amount of moisture in your firewood, it’s important to know what the ideal range of moisture is so you know what kind of firewood you can use.

If you are using the firewood inside then it should be between 6% to 8% of moisture content and for outside use, the firewood can contain between 9% to 14%.

How Accurate Is A Moisture Meter?

Purchasing a moisture meter that is as accurate as possible is important, with the best quality options on the market being 99.9% accurate so you can be assured that you are getting the best results and subsequent performance when you burn the firewood.