Choosing Logs For Your Wood Burner

When choosing logs for your wood stove, you must be aware of a few things before making your purchase. The first is that fully prepared to burn logs generate more heat than un-seasoned timber.

Larch is a conifer with a rapid growth rate that produces reasonable heat but could be afflicted with Phytophthora Ramorum and is therefore best mixed with other species.

Kiln Dried

If you have an Ecodesign wood burner or multifuel burner, it is recommended to use logs which have been dried in a kiln. This is because they burn hotter and produce a greater heat output (4-5KW per kilo) than those that are not dried in a kiln. They will also burn longer and be much lighter to light. They will create a lot less particles that can lead to blackening of the glass of the stove and chimney soot/tar flue or chimney.

The kiln drying process is a method of forcing the moisture out of the wood. This can take anywhere from 60 hours to more than one week, but once it's finished the logs are ready to use. This type of wood can be used for open fires indoor wood burners, pizza ovens, as well as outdoor log burning BBQs and fire pits.

It is essential to choose a supplier who is HETAS or Woodsure certified by HETAS or Woodsure. This will ensure that the logs you purchase meet high standards for quality. It is also an ideal choice to choose the kiln dried logs which have the FSC certification, which indicates that they were harvested and processed in a legal manner.

Kiln dried logs are ready for use right after delivery. They will have an average moisture content of 20% and be easy to light. This allows you to spend more time around the fire.

Kiln dried logs are the best choice for your wood-burning stove, but you can also use seasoned logs that have not been treated. Another benefit is that it can reduce the amount of creosote accumulation in your chimney, reducing the risk of a fire in your chimney and the need for costly chimney cleaning services.

Hornbeam is among the most common kinds of kiln-dried logs. It is a hefty kind of wood that is durable and has excellent ember retention. It can produce a great fire and is perfect for those who are exhausted of having to refill their stoves or wood burners.

Air Dried

When you purchase logs for your wood stove, you have two main options: kiln dried or air dried. Both types of logs must have a low level of moisture to ensure they burn effectively. Before you can use them, they'll need to be split up and then seasoned. This is a slow and lengthy one that can be the difference between good quality firewood and one that doesn't give off much heat at all.

Generally speaking the kiln dried logs are more expensive than air dried counterparts. This is because it is more expensive to operate and purchase a kiln as opposed to drying logs in the open air. Kiln drying is a way to ensure the production of firewood that is of the highest quality and has been thoroughly dry.

The lower moisture content of kiln dried logs means that they also burn easily and hotly for many hours without the need for creosote. This reduces the risk of chimney fires, as well as the necessity to clean the chimney frequently.

Logs that are air dried are usually stacked in crates or some type of cover over them. It may take a while for these logs to dry to the correct moisture level and each type of tree having a distinct timeframe to achieve this. For instance, ash logs will dry quickly, whilst oak can take up to two years before it's ready to be used in a log burner.

The slatted crates allow for a mixture of air and sunlight to pass through them, which allows the logs to dry down effectively. This means that the logs will be able to attain an equilibrium moisture level, which means that they won't absorb or lose any more water, and they'll be ready to use.

Another advantage of air-dried logs is that they will usually have a lower checking (or natural cracking) than kiln-dried logs which makes them perfect for those who want their log burners to appear more attractive. However, they will require a little more care when burning, as they will require to be split and then placed back in order to dry evenly.

Seasoned

You've probably heard that seasoned firewood is more effective than damp or green wood to use as log heaters. Wet wood burns less efficiently and produces more smoke and soot than dry logs.

Green wood usually has an average moisture content of 50 percent, however when it is properly seasoned, it can be reduced to below 20%, meaning it can burn much more efficiently. Seasoned wood is also easier to light, and produces less creosote.

You can season your own logs with the simple method of stacking them in a ventilated area for a period of time. If you're looking to ensure that your logs are correctly dried and you're buying them ready-made, it's worth paying a little more for dried in kilns. These logs were made to dried in a large controlled temperature and humidity kiln. The kiln process is much faster than the natural air-drying process, and it aids in ensuring that logs are dry and have a constant low moisture content throughout.

While kiln-dried logs can be more expensive than those that have been seasoned however, they can be less expensive in the long run since you can get more heat output per cost. The reason is that the amount of energy needed to evaporate the moisture from the logs is much less. This means that more energy is available to burn the logs.

Another advantage of kiln-dried wood is that they will not be damaged by rain. Kiln drying removes moisture from the logs, and puts them in a protected environment. You can store your logs outdoors if you want and they will not become damaged or soaked to the point of being unusable. If you decide to store logs outdoors be sure to keep them out of the elements and in a covered area whenever possible. This will keep the damage caused by prolonged exposure to rain, snow or ice.

Split

If you're looking to keep your log burning stoves burner running well, nothing beats an supply of seasoned wood. But buying pre-split wood can be expensive and if you're looking to save money while enjoying cosy fires on chilly evenings, why not consider using the DIY approach?

Splitting your own logs for an open fire is a great way to enjoy better, more potent fires while channeling your inner lumberjack. Splitting your own wood reduces the carbon footprint of your home, since you don't rely on a third party supplier or transport. It is also an excellent way to strengthen and tone your arms. If you're fortunate enough to have an axe in your shed, a few hours of practice will help you improve your skill, giving you the confidence to tackle even larger logs.

To begin, choose an outdoor area that is open so that there's plenty of space to swing your axe. Wear sturdy boots to prevent being injured while using the axe. Also, make sure you have a first aid kit nearby in case of accidents. It's essential to work at a pace which is comfortable for you, and it's recommended to take a break. The fatigue can affect your reaction speed which increases the likelihood of making mistakes or injuring yourself.

If you're beginning with a complete log, you should look for cracks that radiate out from the middle of the log burner fireplace to allow for a more straightforward cut. You can then insert one of the wedges for splitting into the crack and hit it with the sledge. The force from the sledge will force it further into the crack, splitting the log into two pieces. Repeat this process until the entire small log Burner uk is split into wedges.

After you've split your logs they will need to be completely dry before you can burn them in your Arada stove. This can take a while in the event that the logs are stored in a pile, which is open to the elements since the bark acts as a moisture barrier, restricting all-round water evaporation. If you're storing your logs on an appropriately designed firewood rack, this will speed up drying significantly.