How to Select the Best Firewood

chimney repair costIt would be wrong to assume that all firewood will yield the same results, even if it is seasoned properly. What one looks in a piece of firewood is that it crackles nicely and burns efficiently. Firewood that creates the most heat per log is economically efficient. The fireplace burns cleaner and more efficiently with the right quality of firewood. Lower quality can lead to inefficacy with lots of issues such as problems of odor and smoke and even a dangerous chimney fire. Spend some time understanding the firewood before you buy.

Here are some pointers to keep in mind when selecting the firewood.

The Drier Wood

As a general rule of thumb, the dryer is the wood, the better it is. There are small channels in the wood that transport from the roots into the trunk and branches of the tree. Those tubes can retain moisture for months even after it has been cut off. Thus, water-laden wood will not burn properly, and the result would be lots of smoke and fumes. Seasoned firewood that is dry and well cut should be preferred.

Crackling Fire or Hot Fire?
Look for fir if looking for a crackling fire. The softwood dries fast and is easy to handle and split. You can look forward to some beautiful, crackling fires as well as a wonderfully fresh aroma. The fir firewood is simply perfect for making a great holiday ambiance. However just be careful as all that crackling and popping can throw more sparks. Pine is another softwood that offers a nice, crackling fire and you will simply love the pine scent indoors. Just be careful as the oily soot can get deposited inside the chimney.

If you live in cold regions, what you need is to get a great hot fire going all the time. Hardwoods are known for highest BTU, or British thermal unit, and it means they create more heat than others. Hardwoods are dense and provide twice the heat as compared to softwood. Moreover, they burn more slowly and are simply great for cooking meals. It can be tough to get them start, but once they are on, they can go on go for hours. Some hardwoods are easy to burn, create minimal smoke and provide more heat.

Inspection of the wood
Check the weight and a seasoned wood should feel lighter in weight. Hardwoods are often heavier than softwood but ab void was buying very heavy woods as they might carry moisture. They should be hard and dry to touch. Knock on the wood and look for that hard, crisp knock. Listen for a dull thud as it would mean wet, unseasoned wood. Cracks in dry wood are usually a good sign. Inspect the condition of the bark and it should be hard and crisp. The wood has not been seasoned if the bark is pliable. The right time to buy firewood is in the summer as suppliers run out of the seasoned wood during winters. Always get your wood from reputable suppliers.

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