Category: Uncategorized

Why Use Dry Firewood for Lighting Fire?

When you want to get the most out of your firewood and fireplace or stove, you should always use dry firewood. Dry wood provides you with the best combustion. Burning dry firewood also helps in avoiding particle emissions. The moisture content in well-seasoned firewood is lower than 18%. Moisture content is the amount of water present in the wood. Moisture content 20% means 1 kg of wood contains 200 grams of water. 

Firewood

When you are buying firewood from wood suppliers, don’t forget measuring the moisture content. It should not be more than 20%. As the water content is low, your logs produce the maximum heat. As compared to the moist firewood, the efficiency of dry firewood is much higher. When you are using moist firewood to burn, it produces less heat and more smoke. So, you are not only causing damage to the environment, you might also end up causing discomfort to your neighbours. 

Is Your Firewood Dry?  

There are several methods you can use to check if your firewood is well-seasoned or not. 

  • You can use washing-up liquid to test your firewood. 
  • You can also use the sound test. Bang two logs together. If you notice a hollow sound, your firewood is well-dried for burning. 
  • Look for fungi, mould and dirt. These are the signs of moisture. 
  • You can also use a wood moisture meter. 

Using the Soap Test 

In this method, all you need is your regular washing soap to test the dryness of the wood. 

  • Take a log and add soap on one of its ends. 
  • Blow through the log from the other end. 

If you can see bubbles, it is dry firewood. There are some channels transporting water. When the wood is dry, the water disappears and air passes easily. 

Using The Sound Test 

This is the easiest test as all you need is two logs. Just bang them together. Dry firewood produces hollow, hard and ringing sound. On the other hand, moist firewood produces a dull sound. There are some pitfalls you cannot ignore when you are using the sound test. In frosty weather with temperature below 0° Celsius, striking fresh firewood logs also produce a high and ringing sound. So, you need to season your firewood. 

Looking At The Firewood

You can also rely on your intuition to ensure if your logs are properly seasoned or not. The following checklist can help you in assessing the moisture content of the log. 

  • The firewood must look dry. 
  • It must be clean.  
  • The must be hard and have dry cracks on both ends. 
  • There must be no sign of fungi or mould.
  • There must be no smell of juice and resin. 
  • Growth rings must be clearly visible. 
  • The log must be light in colour. 
  • The bark should be separated from the wood. 

Using A Wood Moisture Meter 

A wood moisture meter is a device used to measure the moisture content of the firewood. This test is the most reliable test as the meter provides you with the most precise information. 

Seasoned firewood is always ready to keep your family warm and cozy. You can also buy fresh firewood and season it at home.

Great Quality Firewood Species to Prefer in Hot and Cold Regions

Climate implies a huge impact on flora and fauna of different locations. The trees small plants and flowers completely differ in the cold region as compared to the hotter one. If you are arranging firewood for the winter season, it is advisable to gain adequate knowledge about the species of trees. Everybody look for hardwood to burn but only a few know that which one is ideal to purchase. In a firewood store, you can find numerous species of woods categorized in hardwood and softwood. The trees available at a firewood store differ on the basis of climatic conditions. For instance, the ironbark firewood belongs to a hot region whereas apple wood is abundantly available in cold regions. This article has some crucial information to help you in identifying the right wood for burning purpose. In the absence of proper knowledge, you may end up with buying a worthless stock of firewood that produces smoke more than flame.

Ideal firewood species to expect in hot regions

  • Ironbark Firewood

The ironbark aka Eucalyptus sideroxylon is a commonly available tree in Sydney and one of the ideal sources of firewood. It is basically a medium size eucalyptus tree comprising good strength. Ironbark grew naturally in the eastern regions of Australia. It is a multipurpose wood utilized for timber products, railway sleepers & firewood. After obtaining the best quality of timber for industrial use, the rest of the parts become ideal firewood. You can easily find ironbark firewood in Sydney at most of the vendors.

  • Redgum firewood

The redgum is also a genus of eucalyptus family but grows with different characteristics. Eucalyptus camaldulensis is its scientific name but most of the people call it river red gum. These trees naturally grow alongside the rivers because they need a lot of water to thrive. Inline ironbark firewood, their size is much larger thus; produces a higher quantity of firewood.

Ideal firewood species to prefer in cold regions

  • Apple

The apple trees regularly go through pruning in autumn season for better crop yield. Also, some old trees are removed from orchards and replaced with new ones. Consequently, a large amount of waste material remains behind. The firewood sellers utilize it for selling in retail. The wood apple is hard and ideal for burning purpose. Not only for good heat, but you also utilize apple wood for food cooking. It releases an aromatic flavor that immerses in the food while cooking.

  • Maple

Maple is a huge size tree that grows in cold regions oc Canada & America naturally. All kinds are maples are ideal for burning purpose because they produce hardwood. They grow abundantly and are ideal for furniture manufacturing too. If you are living in a cold region, maple wood will be easily available. Unlike redgum or ironbark firewood, it has pale brown texture and grows in various soil conditions.

How to find a credible firewood seller

  1. Check the species of available trees

While contacting a firewood seller for the first time, it is advisable to go enquire the trees they are offering. Ask for the species of hardwood they can sell and check their existence in your locality. For instance, if the seller is offering ironbark firewood in cold region, he must be lying.

  1. Kiln firewood option

Search firewood for sale in Sydney that is processed through kilns. Kilns seasoning ensured adequate seasoning and the least amount of water remaining.

  1. Cord measurement

Rather than preferring the measurement in weight, it is advisable to go with the option of cords. In the cords, you can avail firewood in a specific volume. Consequently, there will be no issue of inferior wet wood that produces too much smoke and burns poorly.

Whenever you plan to buy firewood form an online or local vendor, always gain adequate information regarding particular species. The sellers may fool you by providing inferior softwood instead of ironbark firewood in Sydney.