Wood burning stoves are a cost-effective alternative to expensive electric heating and fossil fuel. They also reduce the need for imported wood, an important source of carbon.
In areas where wood smoke is common studies have revealed that it contributes to the ambient winter pollution. This can be especially true in valleys prone to temperature inversions.
1. Pine
Pine wood is a popular choice for log burning, however, it should be dried before using indoors. Unseasoned wood can create more creosote that can cause chimney blockages. Unseasoned pine wood may also produce lots of smoke and carbon dioxide, which is harmful to both humans and animals.
The majority of people do not prefer using pine wood as firewood due to its resin content and fear of creosote building up. Creosote is a tar-like substance that covers the inside of your chimney flue. It stops smoke from leaving your home. It can cause chimneys to catch fire if it starts to build up. This is a dangerous situation. Hardwoods such as oak, maple, Hickory, and Ash do not produce much creosote and burn hotter, producing less smoke.
The reason pine wood creates lots of creosote when it is burned is because it is not seasoned properly. All wood must be dried out prior to burning indoors. The wood is seasoned to eliminate moisture, which makes it easier to ignite and burn. When pine wood has been treated to a seasoning process it will burn more quickly with less sparks and spitting. It will also produce a lot of heat. However, it can produce lots of creosote when it burns. This is why the majority of people do not choose to use pine wood as firewood and prefer to use hardwoods like oak and hickory instead.
2. Cedar
Cedar is a soft wood and although it produces good heat, it does not produce as much heat as other kinds of hardwood firewood. It also burns fast and can cause creosote accumulating in the chimney. Many people are reluctant to use cedar in their fireplaces due to this.
For those who don't care about creosote and other issues cedar can be used for outdoor wood-burning fireplaces. Cedar isn't a good choice for indoor fireplaces, however due to the oil it releases when it is burned. If you are looking to use cedar indoors, you can pair it with denser firewood like hickory or oak.
The cost of a cord of firewood can vary between $150 and $500. The amount of wood you buy will last between 6 and 12 weeks when you burn it twice each day.
You can save money by cutting your own firewood, if you don't require a entire cord. Some tree service providers offer this service, however when you have the tools to cut your own wood you can save more money.
Green or unseasoned wood usually costs less than seasoned wood. If you plan to purchase firewood, consider buying it in the spring if possible. This will give the wood a year to season, which helps it burn better and with less smoke. It also makes the process more efficient and reduces delivery fees. If you want to go a step further, consider hiring a professional to split and stack your firewood.
3. Birch
Birch wood burners in my area are a great option to those seeking a fireplace log set that is eye-catching and environmentally friendly. These attractive logs are constructed out of birchwood, and come with realistic embers to give the appearance of an actual fire in your fireplace.
The birch wood logs that look attractive are also suitable for outdoor fire pits. They don't generate a lot of sparks or smoke, and they are easy to light. They are an excellent choice for those who have a small space in their patio or backyard.
The slim birch is a multi-purpose hardwood tree with waterproof bark that is often used for paper making, canoe construction homeopathy, and many other uses. Its distinctive wood is coveted by musicians, artists and craftspeople due to its distinctive texture and grain.
Silver birch is an excellent wood to burn for firewood however, it doesn't have the same density as traditional favorites such as oak and hornbeam So a piece of silver birch won't travel as far to heat. Birch is a common type of woodland timber that is harvested during thinning of the forest.
Birch wood has an extremely low resin content, so it won't spark or spit. It can also be burned green. However, it must be well-seasoned. It's a great alternative to basswood that has a high water content, and must be dried out before burning.
4. Maple
Maple is a great choice for wood burning stoves because it burns hot and produces light quickly. It also seasons well. However, it won't last as long as other hardwoods such as oak and hickory.
The wood is available in soft and hard varieties, and in a variety shapes and sizes. It also has a live edge. It also has natural colors that fit in with both traditional and contemporary decor. The wood is available as a kit with all the essential parts and accessories to begin. The kit comes with a wand/pen and solid brass tips (round and flat) and a shader tip. Shader tips are used to create realism through shading. This method is utilized by a lot of people to create commissioned art of their pets or family members.
In general, hardwoods such as maple and hickory burn longer than softwoods, such as pine and fir. This is due to them being able to be less pitchy than softwoods which leads to an extended burning fire with minimal creosote build-up inside the chimney.
Maple is a common firewood that is found across the United States. It is a heavy hardwood with a high btu per lb and is easy to split. It is a great alternative to ash wood that may be in short supply due to the emerald leaf borer. The wood can last for a long time when properly well-seasoned.
5. Cherry
The firewood logs of cherry are thick and produce a consistent burn. They're a good option for those who want an ambience that lasts. This wood has a pleasant scent and does not release a lot of smoke. It sparks more than other hardwoods, but you can easily control it with a fireplace filter.
Pine Pine is readily available and inexpensive, but it doesn't season as well as hardwoods and can make it difficult to start. It is a good choice to use for kindling and getting a fire started but you should change to hardwoods once the flames have established.
Alder Alder has a moderate price and is easy to split. It has a slow burning with a high heat output. However, it can be disappointing to use in a fire that is open since it is known to release sparks.
Ash Oak is considered the most desirable hardwood. It produces the highest warmth, but it is also expensive. It is worth the cost but should you desire the most sturdy and efficient wood for your fire place.
Contact us today if you're looking to install a brand new wood stove or fireplace to your home. best woodburners can tell about the various types we have available and help you select the best one for your needs. Our NFI-certified Hearth Professionals are ready to assist you with any questions you might have.
6. Oak
Many people opt to use oak logs in their fireplace or stove because they have a wonderful traditional, classic scent. It's more durable than other types of logs, which means you'll be warm for longer. Oak firewood is a great choice for anyone who wants to enjoy long nights sitting around the fire or in the garden in the summer with friends and family chatting and drinking wine.
Hardwoods such as hickory and oak are more dense than conifers. This means they burn hotter and longer. They also offer a higher efficiency in fuel. This means they burn hotter and longer, leaving more coals to rekindle the fire.
Beech
Though beech logs for fires are of high quality, they take an extended time to get ready and can be a challenge to split. They burn well though they produce a lot of heat and bright flames. It is recommended to mix them with other logs that burn slowly like Ash or Oak.
Beech wood can be found in local grocery stores and garden centers however you should not purchase pallets used to transport timber because they'll be full of screws and nails and will likely need a treatment with chemicals like methyl bromide before they can be burned safely. If you are seeking cheap wood to fuel your log burner look into reaching out to local tree trimmers or construction crews, or storm cleanup teams to see whether they have spare firewood that they could sell off. Verify that the wood you are using is safe and has been treated with non-toxic preservation agents like mineral oil or Linseed.
