Why it is best to choose your logs carefully

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firewood
firewood

When buying unseasoned firewood, it is best to choose a trusted local provider. While it may be tempting to make your choice by simply looking at buying from your local fuel garage, it is better to buy off of a year round specialist. Look to buy off of someone who sells logs as their full time job and business. Kiln dried logs are certain to perform well. Being thoroughly dry means they will light without problems, burn excellently, and provide high quality and very efficient heat also. Any expert, will also tell you this too.

Ash is generally considered to be the best firewood. It burns well, gives out plenty of heat, and tends to season more quickly than other woods. Oak is another great firewood too. The quality of fire wood delivered drops dramatically as the burning season progresses and dealers run out of the better quality seasoned wood. It is best to buy your firewood in late summer if you can. This is when most dealers will be doing a lot of their stocking up / stockpiling. It is best to remember this well so you end up with the best logs you can for your wood burner or open fire.

Always make sure your firewood is seasoned to a high standard

Almost all wood needs to be dry to burn properly and maximise heat values. Green, unseasoned wood does not provide the same energy value as properly seasoned wood because some of the wood’s useful energy is wasted in evaporating moisture during the burning process. In addition, burning large amounts of green wood can be hazardous because it can contribute to the build-up of creosote if chimney stack temperatures are not hot enough and allows creosote to condense. Ideally, homeowners should cut and stack green wood in the spring prior to the next heating season to be sure firewood will burn well.

Look to make sure you have a variety of sizes of wood

While everyone has heard stories about “go-for” wood and Yule logs, each may have their place when it comes to burning wood. A wood stove or fireplace full of gigantic Yule logs won’t burn very efficiently without a good bed of coals. Thus, the kindling value of such woods as pine, birch or other less-dense woods cannot be denied. Small pieces of your favourite dense hardwood are also helpful in developing a good bed of coals more rapidly.

It helps if you are able to stack your logs in a careful way

If you are trying to season green wood, bear in mind that the stacking method you use to store your wood will affect how fast the wood dries out. Criss-crossed, open-spaced stacks of firewood will no doubt, season quicker than green firewood that is dead-piled close together. The size of the individual pieces will also influence how fast wood will dry.

If you can, plan ahead on how you gather your logs

As with most ventures, it pays to plan ahead if you plan on heating your home with wood fuel. Decisions must be made as to where to get your firewood, whether any permits are needed, whether the wood needs to be cut to size or split and whether it needs to be seasoned. Generally speaking, many people get started too late in the year when it comes to getting their firewood supply in for the winter.

Be aware of your firewood attracting pests

When buying firewood, it’s important to pay attention to the potential pests that can be found when in storage. This is because most of these pests can cause a lot of damage during your camping trip. For example, if you buy firewood from an insect infested region, you risk bringing these pests home with you. It’s best to avoid choosing firewood from areas that are known for having a lot of these insects.

Firewood can also be harmful

There are numerous benefits to using firewood, but it’s important to be aware of the potential hazards. Some people may worry about the health risks of using firewood because they’re concerned about E. coli or other types of bacteria that can be transmitted through wood. The truth is that these bacteria don’t live in firewood for long periods of time, and they aren’t a concern when filling up your campfire.

Good stacking up is key

Another important factor to consider when storing firewood is how you stack it. It might not seem like a big deal, but stacking firewood properly is important for a couple of reasons. The biggest reason why you need to carefully stack your firewood is so that it gets adequate air circulation to help keep it dry. Air flow throughout your firewood pile is crucial because it helps prevent moisture from getting trapped within. It’s also important to be careful when stacking firewood so that you avoid an avalanche of it falling from where you have it stored. This is only a real threat to people that store their firewood in an open setting and not in a container of sorts that has walls or barriers to prevent spilling. Crisscross patterns and tapering are both solid ways to stack firewood as they provide airflow and protection against falling over.

Good firewood storage is also very important

Now, we’ll go over what you need to know so you can store your firewood effectively and safely. As with every other aspect of your fireplace and chimney, you need to tend your firewood with excellent care. If you plan on storing your firewood outside, you absolutely must keep it off the ground. Leaving firewood on the ground outside will cause it to rot and decay at a high rate. Plus, it’ll increase the chance of mould growing on your firewood. The number one most important factor of firewood storage is keeping it dry. For those that want to keep the firewood indoors (already a smart choice), it’s still good to elevate it so that it doesn’t ruin the floor.

One of the most common ways to store firewood is to use a log carrier and a firewood rack. A log carrier is essentially a bag that the logs go into so they don’t make a mess. You can find them at any major department store. If you want to store your firewood outdoors, you’ll need to make sure that whatever you use to store it features a cover of sorts to keep rain away from the wood. Many people use big storage bins or simply a firewood rack with a tarp or heavy covering over it. There are also many DIY firewood storage ideas that can enhance the look of your home. Always remember, keep it off the ground and sheltered from rain and snow.

Overall, what you need to know

How much you use your fireplace will determine how much firewood you need. However, if you don’t store your firewood properly, you’ll end up having to buy more. This is because it can easily get ruined by moisture and pests. If you want to cut your own firewood, you must season it properly. This is so that you can get the most out of it. For those that buy their firewood, make sure you keep it seasoned. There are many ways to store firewood and only you will be able to tell what’s best for your home. Whether it’s indoors, outdoors, in a rack or bin or something that you made yourself, you have to remember two things from this article – elevate the firewood and cover it.

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