Wood should be burned when the moisture content is below 20/25%, otherwise the fire may spit, and a lot of smoke will be produced. It may be worth buying a moisture meter to test the moisture content, but the general signs of seasoned logs include splits across the grain, bark coming away easily in the hand, and a lighter colour.

It is recommended that logs burnt in an open fire are 15-50cm long.

Hardwood and softwood have different properties, and so may be worth considering.