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Why Does Burning Wood Pop. Finally, the walls can’t take the pressure anymore and burst. The sap/pitch liquifies, then vaporizes as the temperature increases.
As the wood heats up, the warmth penetrates deep into these pockets. As they expand, they put tremendous pressure on the walls of the pockets. This same principle rings true when burning wet or moist firewood.
In basic terms, it has something to do with the combustion gases escaping from the wood. As the trapped moisture heats up, it will. In fact, as the firewood is burning and combustion is being released into the air, the burnt wood is converted into heat and waste gasses.
As the gas escapes, the fire will emit an audible pop or crack. Once the gas pressure builds up it will create an energy burst with mini explosion. Gases expand rapidly when heated.
This same principle rings true when burning wet or moist firewood. If you place a pot of water on the stove and activate the burner, it will evaporate as steam. Gas is created by trapped moisture locked in small pockets within the wood.
Once the fire burns the wood. Unlike wood, water doesn’t convert into heat when burned. The holes created by the insects will give the gasses an escape route.
Some will get stuck in the wood. As they expand, they put tremendous pressure on the walls of the pockets. When the wood is burned, combustible gasses will be released.
