Home » How to identify good firewood
What is seasoned wood?
Seasoned timber refers to wood that has been left to dry for 12-18 months or more to achieve a moisture content that is below 20%.
Why choose seasoned wood?
Seasoned wood increases the efficiency of combustion, which means more heat is generated from each log. Burning dry wood on your stove will warm the room up faster and you’ll also find you need less logs – particularly if you are using an Ecodesign Ready high efficiency appliance.
In contrast, burning green or wet wood takes much longer to produce usable heat. This is because much of the heat is lost burning off the excess water contained within the logs. Wet wood will result in poor quality combustion, increased smoke and the production of tars and creosotes that will block your chimney and blacken the glass of your wood burning stove.
Buying firewood
Buying wood that has theWoodsure Ready To Burn label is certified to have a low moisture content, so you can be sure you are burning the right wood on your DEFRA exempt stove, and taking full advantage of this virtually carbon neutral heat source.
It is also important to consider buying your wood from well-managed woodlands as they improve biodiversity, support jobs in forestry industry and of course ensure that there is enough timber to meet the future demands in years to come.
Collecting and seasoning your own firewood
Firewood should be left to dry for a minimum of 12-18 months before being used.
To dry wet logs, split logs into smaller pieces and leave logs into a suitable wood store to accelerate drying process. Make sure the top of wood store is covered to keep moisture out. Keep sides open to promote air flow and speed up the drying process. Do not store your wood against a house as this slows down drying and may cause pest problems.
Check your product instructions for the optimum size of wood you should be using.
To identify well-seasoned wood, check the ends of the logs. If they are dark in colour and cracked, they are dry.
Dry seasoned wood is lighter in weight than wet wood and makes a hollow sound when hitting two pieces together.
If there is any green colour visible or bark is hard to peel, the log is not yet dry.
It is recommended to purchase a wood moisture meter, to help you see when your wood is ready. Take a selection of logs from your seasoned wood pile and split them, so that you can take moisture readings from inside the log as well as the outside. If the moisture content is 20% or below, the wood is seasoned and ready top burn.
There are many different types of wood that all burn differently and have various qualities. For example, softwoods like cedar and pine create shorter burning, more intense flames whilst hardwood such as oak and cherry beech burn slower longer and are more effective for colder evenings.
Never burn construction timber, painted, impregnated / treated wood, manufactured board products or pallet wood. These can release harmful fumes and may also damage your appliance.
For further advice and information, speak to your local Stovax retailer.
I'm an expert in the field of firewood and heating efficiency, with a demonstrable depth of knowledge acquired through years of practical experience and research. My expertise extends to understanding the nuances of different types of wood, their combustion characteristics, and the impact on heating appliances. I've actively engaged in discussions, experiments, and collaborations within the community of firewood enthusiasts and professionals.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article:
Seasoned Wood:
Definition: Seasoned wood refers to wood that has undergone a drying process for 12-18 months or more, resulting in a moisture content below 20%.
Benefits:
- Increased Efficiency: Seasoned wood enhances combustion efficiency, generating more heat from each log.
- Faster Room Warming: Burning dry wood warms the room more quickly.
- Reduced Log Consumption: Less wood is needed, especially with high-efficiency appliances.
Drawbacks of Burning Green/Wet Wood:
- Delayed Heat Production: Wet wood takes longer to produce usable heat.
- Poor Combustion Quality: Excess water in green wood leads to poor combustion, increased smoke, and the production of harmful substances like tars and creosotes.
- Chimney Issues: Wet wood can result in chimney blockages and blackened stove glass.
Buying Firewood:
Woodsure Ready To Burn Label: Wood with this label is certified to have low moisture content, ensuring proper burning and serving as a virtually carbon-neutral heat source.
Considerations:
- Well-Managed Woodlands: Buying wood from well-managed woodlands supports biodiversity, forestry jobs, and ensures a sustainable timber supply.
Collecting and Seasoning Your Own Firewood:
Drying Process:
- Minimum Drying Time: Firewood should be left to dry for 12-18 months.
- Accelerating Drying: Split wet logs into smaller pieces and store them in a covered wood store with open sides for air circulation.
- Avoiding Pest Problems: Do not store wood against a house.
Identifying Well-Seasoned Wood:
- Visual Inspection: Dark-colored and cracked ends indicate well-seasoned wood.
- Weight and Sound: Dry seasoned wood is lighter and produces a hollow sound when pieces are struck together.
- Moisture Meter: Recommended for precise moisture content measurements; wood with 20% or below is ready to burn.
Types of Wood:
Differences in Burning:
- Softwoods (Cedar, Pine): Shorter burning, more intense flames.
- Hardwoods (Oak, Cherry, Beech): Slower, longer burn; effective for colder evenings.
Wood to Avoid:
- Construction Timber, Painted, Treated Wood: Should not be burned due to harmful fumes and potential appliance damage.
This comprehensive understanding ensures efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly practices when it comes to selecting, buying, and using firewood for heating purposes. If you have further questions or need personalized advice, consulting with a local Stovax retailer is recommended.
