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Does It Matter What Type of Wood I Use In My Fireplace?

Does it matter what type of wood I use in my fireplace?

With winter weather definitely in full force, are you burning more wood in your fireplace? If so, you may be asking yourself, “Does it matter what type of wood I use in my fireplace?” It turns out that it does matter a great deal.

If you use the wrong type of wood, you could experience a fire that fizzles out in a short period of time or a fire that produces an excessive amount of smoke. Worst yet, are fires that produce a heavy level of creosote, which as well as being harmful to breathe, can coat the inside of your chimney and potentially cause fires there.

Settle in with Energy Center-Manhattan Pool and let’s examine the best type of wood to use in your fireplace and how to store it properly.

Hardwood is the Best Type of Wood to Use in a Fireplace

Hardwood is without a doubt the best type of wood to burn in your fireplace. It burns hotter, longer, and produces much less creosote than other types of wood. What are examples of hardwoods?

  • Oak is probably the most popular type of wood for burning in fireplaces. It is known to burn the longest, hottest, and actually produces the most heat. Since oak burns for so long, it is going to give you the most for your money. Oak is also plentiful, so it won’t be difficult to find.
  • Hickory also lasts a long time when burning and has a pleasant but subtle smell. It burns clean due to having a low moisture content and makes a nice crackling sound when burning.
  • Ash burns steadily, but for not as long as oak and hickory. It isn’t as common as oak to find, so is often combined with other types of hardwood.
  • Birch starts quickly but doesn’t burn for as long as other hardwoods. This type of wood is a great option to combine with other longer-burning hardwoods since it gets the fire going well, while the oak or hickory has a longer burn time.
  • Fruitwoods are another option. Apple, cherry, and pear all burn well and have a sweet smell, but are the most expensive of the hardwoods typically burned in home fireplaces. 

Whatever Hardwood You Use, It Should be Kiln-Dried

There are two methods to dry firewood to make it usable. First is to “season” it, or let it dry naturally outdoors. The other, preferable and more efficient method is to kiln dry firewood. Kiln drying produces firewood that has much less moisture than seasoned wood.

A drier wood produces a fire that burns longer, hotter, and has less smoke. In addition, kiln-dried firewood eliminates pests, fungus, mold, or other nasty things that you would not want to bring into your home. It is also worth the extra expense because it produces less harmful creosote. 

How does it work? A commercial kiln holds green firewood in metal cages with large fans circulating warm air all around the wood. Over a period of 4-6 days, most of the moisture is completely removed from the wood. This wood is ready to burn immediately and produces a hot, long-lasting, low-smoke fire.

Kiln-Dried Firewood Can Be Stored Indoors

Another advantage of kiln-dried firewood is that it can be safely stored indoors, which is a big convenience. It is best to loosely stack the wood off the ground, in an area away from the rain, snow, and bugs. 

 

Yes, it does matter what type of wood you use in my fireplace. The professionals at Energy Center-Manhattan Pool think it does. We are the hearth leader in the Manhattan, KS area, and are your number-one resource for all your hearth and fireplace needs. Come see us today and let us help you create the gathering place of your dreams.

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