Selecting and Storing Firewood
If you place wood that is too dry on a bed of coals, it will instantly give up its gases as
smoke, wasting unburned smoke and producing creosote buildup.
However, if you own a wood stove equipped with a catalytic combustor, the gases are
captured, burned and turned into heat.
All species of wood have a similar heat (Btu) content on a per pound basis when
completely dry. Therefore, denser woods will generally cost more and burn longer.
Woods like oak, hickory, and pine will burn overnight. Aspen builds a hot fire, which helps
clean the chimney.
When selecting wood, you might also want to find out whether the supplier uses
sustainable harvesting practices. Unsustainable practices can negatively impact the
environment, causing soil erosion and loss of biodiversity. At least as certain that the
wood was not the result of clear-cutting. Clear-cutting is when all, or nearly all, of the
trees are cut down on a piece of land.
Store your wood away from the house in case termites discover the woodpile. The top of
the pile should be covered, but leave the sides open so air can circulate. If possible,
store the wood a foot off the ground (on concrete blocks, for example) to keep it dry.
smoke, wasting unburned smoke and producing creosote buildup.
However, if you own a wood stove equipped with a catalytic combustor, the gases are
captured, burned and turned into heat.
All species of wood have a similar heat (Btu) content on a per pound basis when
completely dry. Therefore, denser woods will generally cost more and burn longer.
Woods like oak, hickory, and pine will burn overnight. Aspen builds a hot fire, which helps
clean the chimney.
When selecting wood, you might also want to find out whether the supplier uses
sustainable harvesting practices. Unsustainable practices can negatively impact the
environment, causing soil erosion and loss of biodiversity. At least as certain that the
wood was not the result of clear-cutting. Clear-cutting is when all, or nearly all, of the
trees are cut down on a piece of land.
Store your wood away from the house in case termites discover the woodpile. The top of
the pile should be covered, but leave the sides open so air can circulate. If possible,
store the wood a foot off the ground (on concrete blocks, for example) to keep it dry.
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Alternative-Heating-Info.com
Because a lot of energy can be
wasted burning wet wood, you
should use wood that has been
properly seasoned. Properly
seasoned wood is harvested in
the spring and allowed to dry
throughout the summer.
Select firewood that is of even
color, without any green. It
should have a moisture content
of just over 20%– 25% by
weight.
Some well-seasoned wood can
in fact be too dry for today's
airtight modern stoves.
wasted burning wet wood, you
should use wood that has been
properly seasoned. Properly
seasoned wood is harvested in
the spring and allowed to dry
throughout the summer.
Select firewood that is of even
color, without any green. It
should have a moisture content
of just over 20%– 25% by
weight.
Some well-seasoned wood can
in fact be too dry for today's
airtight modern stoves.
