Choosing the Best Firewood for Your Wood Burning Stoves

The warmth and comfort you get from your stove with green oak frames will require a smart decision on your part. If you want your wood burning stove to give off bright and clean fire, make sure you are using the right type of wood. It pays to know that different wood types have different characteristics and properties.

Hard Wood versus Soft Wood

Both hard and light types of wood can be used in your wood burning stove. But, each type can meet different firewood needs. They also come with advantages and disadvantages. Hardwoods typically come from trees that are deciduous have broad leaves, for example, Oak, Elk, Ash, and Beech. On the other hand, softwood is those that usually come from conifers like Fir and Cedar.

Softwood has a lower density than hardwood, which causes it to burn faster, while the density of hardwood creates a slow burn due to its slow flame. You need to constantly feed the fire when you choose softwood as your fuel.

Regardless of your preferred type of wood, day wood is the best one for wood burning stoves in Stockport. The wood has to be dry before you burn them. This is because fresh wood has a high water content of about 90%. Also, it is advisable to choose a wood that is seasoned for about 1 to 2 years prior to their usage.

In general, hardwoods burn longer and brighter than softwoods. However, it is better to season them for at least a year to get the best results.

Seasoned versus Unseasoned

Seasoned wood releases more heat compared to the unseasoned one. The build-up of creosote in seasoned wood is also slow. The appearance of seasoned wood is usually gray, but it looks white and dry inside. Almost all types of wood burn well when seasoned.

Unseasoned (or green) wood has the characteristics that are difficult to light. You also need to keep it burning, hence more wood is needed. The reason for this is that these kinds of wood has plenty of moisture inside because it has not been dried out.

The Best Firewood to Choose

The same amount of wood, for example, 1 kilogram, produces the same kind of heat. But they are different in terms of weight per cubic meter. The heavier woods have more heating value than their lighter counterparts.

Note that wood that is heavier is usually more expensive. You can always use both lighter and heavier types of wood. Use the lighter ones first, as they are easy to light, then put the heavier ones afterward to make the fire burn longer.

Here are some types of wood that is ideal for your wood burning stove. If possible, you may grow them in your garden:

  • Oak. It is one of the most in-demand woods in the world. It produces a good flame and burns steadily.
  • Pine. This type of wood burns brightly fast. Pine works well as fuel when used together with other woods.
  • Elm. This is considered a reliable firewood. It creates a slow flame and a long-lasting heat. Note that this wood has a high content of water.
  • Birch. It provides fast and bright flames. It is best to partner it with another type of wood that burns slowly.
  • Ash. You can depend on this type of wood to give slow-burning yet excellent flame. Ash has low water content.
  • Apple. It produces a slow and small fire. You get a good amount of heat and a pleasant smell.
  • Cedar. This wood creates a crackling and spitting fire due to its natural oil content. Its flames are small and last long.

Be Considerate to Your Surroundings

If you have a wood burning stove in your house, there are certain rules to follow to ensure safety. You must know what you can, and you cannot burn, as certain materials contain toxic substances, which are released when they are burnt.

Your chimney smoke is a determining factor whether or not you are using unsuitable or unsafe materials. Smokes that are dark, thick, and with a foul smell that does not only damage the environment, but can also annoy your neighbors.

Conclusion

Wood has been a popular option for fuel in many houses today for wood burning stove owners. You may use gas fires Burnley, if that is your preferred heating system. In the end, the availability of wood in your area is a big factor in your decision. You can always buy wood such as green oak and season them yourself.

Leave a Comment

Scroll to Top