Why Does Wood Pop In The Fire

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Why Does Wood Pop In The Fire. This same principle rings true when burning wet or moist firewood. Trapped moisture can also cause wood to pop and crackle from the creation of steam.

Why Does Burning Wood Pop & Crackle? Sciencing
Why Does Burning Wood Pop & Crackle? Sciencing from sciencing.com

Make your fire on a dry surface. Wood is porous and easily absorbs any moisture it. Moisture that might have escaped without a problem will now be trapped inside this freshly formed seal, causing the wood to pop even more frequently than it would have otherwise.

Moisture That Might Have Escaped Without A Problem Will Now Be Trapped Inside This Freshly Formed Seal, Causing The Wood To Pop Even More Frequently Than It Would Have Otherwise.


As the gas escapes, the fire will emit an audible pop or crack. This same principle rings true when burning wet or moist firewood. When the wood is burned, combustible gasses will be released.

In Basic Terms, It Has Something To Do With The Combustion Gases Escaping From The Wood.


If you place a pot of water on the stove and activate the burner, it will evaporate as steam. Trapped moisture can also cause wood to pop and crackle from the creation of steam. Wood is porous and easily absorbs any moisture it.

And, In These Moments, The Popping And Crackling Picks Up And Increases Until The Moisture In.


As the trapped moisture heats up, it will. Make your fire on a dry surface. When resin bits catch fire, they explode and throw hot sparks up the chimney and out the front of the fireplace.

Unlike Wood, Water Doesn’t Convert Into Heat When Burned.


Some will get stuck in the wood. Softwoods such as conifers and pines are more likely to spark due to their high resin content. Typically, when the moisture in the wood is high, the pops and crackling noises are a lot more frequent.

This Is Because The Moisture In The Wood Begins To Evaporate Quickly, While Also Pushing The Moisture Out Of The Wood In The Form Of More Steam.


Woods such as red cedar and poplar are resinous, containing tree saps that are highly flammable. The holes created by the insects will give the gasses an escape route.