Warming Up Through Winter

26/11/2024

Warming Up Through Winter

In this blog post we discuss the best types of wood to burn in your log buner for optimum heat and longevity.

The best wood for burning in a log burner depends on its moisture content and type. Properly seasoned hardwoods are ideal because they burn longer, hotter, and produce less smoke. Here’s a breakdown:

Best Woods for Burning

1. Hardwoods (Ideal for long-lasting heat)

   • Oak: Dense, slow-burning, and provides steady heat.
   • Ash: Burns well even when slightly green; produces great heat.
   • Beech: Burns cleanly and provides good heat.
   • Birch: Quick to ignite and gives off bright flames; ideal for kindling or quick burns.
   • Maple: Dense and burns with steady heat.

2. Softwoods (Best for kindling or quick, hot fires)

   • Pine: Burns quickly and hot but produces more resin, which can lead to creosote buildup.
   • Cedar: Good for kindling; burns with a pleasant aroma but not ideal for sustained heat.

Key Considerations

• Moisture Content: Use wood with a moisture content below 20%. Wet wood (green wood) produces less heat, more smoke, and can create creosote deposits in your chimney. For ease why not purchase on of our digital moisture meters, perfect for checking the water composition.
• Seasoning: Wood should be seasoned (air-dried) for at least 6-12 months, depending on the type and conditions. We have a number of log stores available, to suit all budgets.
• Kiln-Dried Wood: Ideal for log burners due to its low moisture content (below 15%).

Woods to Avoid

• Unseasoned or Green Wood: Produces more smoke and less heat.
• Resinous Woods (e.g., unseasoned pine): Can cause creosote buildup in your chimney.
• Treated or Painted Wood: Releases toxic fumes and damages your stove.

For the best results, mix hardwoods for sustained heat with softwoods for easy ignition. Always store your wood in a dry, well-ventilated area to maintain its quality.

Our 7 Ton Log Splitters are perfect for domestic log splitting, with a power unit of 3 horsepower/2200 watts. Making log splitting quick and efficient.