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Choosing Firewood

Stacked Firewood

Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

When going to choose firewood for your fireplace, make sure you know exactly what you are looking for. For instance, did you know that some wood is not good for your fireplace and chimney? Also, were you aware that some firewood needs to be seasoned for up to 2 years. Once you understand all of the facts about wood for burning, you are much more likely to make a wise choice that helps keep your home and family safe.

When choosing firewood, be sure to pick sufficiently dried hardwoods like oak, maple, or birch. Softwoods, like pine, burn more less efficiently. They emit much more creosote than hardwoods as well. Since creosote is so flammable, any amount of buildup could potentially lead to a chimney fire. Hardwoods, on the other hand burn hotter, and leave much less creosote on the lining of your chimney. Also, avoid using any treated wood or wood scraps from construction sites. You can’t be sure about what chemicals might be in the wood, and once it starts burning, it could emit dangerous chemicals and fumes into your living space.

Know who it is you are buying your wood from. Buying from a reputable dealer will give you greater assurance that the wood is sufficiently seasoned. Of course, it’s always a good idea to get wood from a kiln dried wood dealer. This wood has significantly less moisture left in the wood. Conventional seasoning takes longer, and can leave as much as 10% more moisture in the wood. When observing the wood you are looking to buy, look for signs that has dried out. Is the bark easy to pull off? Does the wood have a grayish color? Are the ends starting to split? These are all signs of well-seasoned wood.

Owning a fireplace and chimney is a responsibility that cannot be ignored. Apart from needing to properly maintain and clean the appliance itself, you also need to use best practices while you operate the chimney. This will ensure years of enjoyment and safety for you and your family.

 

By Ronald Caillais on July 11th, 2012 | Tagged with: Tags: , , , | Comments Off on Choosing Firewood
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