If you bring in wood that was wet from rain or snow, and you place it on a hot fire, does the steam coming off the wood result in creosote formation? It's been snow, thaw, rain here for a couple days. All wood is wet as I lack a woodshed and I can only store so much inside under cover.
No, unless your chimney is too cool but building a fire means you are sending lots of heat up at the time so you should be okay.
I would have to disagree in principle with Dennis on this one. Any excess water in, or on, your wood that you have to evaporate in your firebox is going to tend to lead to cooler fires and stack temperatures, and consequently more creosote formation than if the water wasn't there. Generally surface moisture, or ice, will dry off fast if you can leave the wood near the stove (not too near) for a while before burning it. Most people have a spot near their stove where they store wood they plan on burning right away, that should be enough for the water or ice to melt off before you throw it in the stove.
+ 1 Give it some time indoors to dry off. Lots of Benefits Why throw a cup or 2 of water in the stove.?
Had a big split a couple of days ago that was heavy and soaking wet. Sat it by the stove for two days it became very light and took off immediately when thrown in the stove.
I agree that you should get it as dry as possible. Hopefully, the little rain spell we've been having is over for the winter. I'm not burning right now and my wood has been sitting indoors drying since Friday. It's supposed to turn cold tonight and stay cold so any moisture will freeze and eventually go from ice to dry slowly. Ground will freeze to which is preferable to walking through soft, wet grass.
