Saxon Walnut - Wood Selection and Preparation; What Wood to Burn and Not to Burn

WOODSELECTION
Fewthingsaffecttheperformanceofyourheaterasmuchasthefuelyouburn.Takenoteofthefollowing:
WhatNotToBurn
* Softwood(exceptkindling)
* Wetorunseasonedwood
* Treatedorpaintedtimber
* Saltwaterwood
* Coalorcharcoal
* Garbage,plasticetc
* Any solvents, kerosene, petrol or any
flammableliquid.
WhatToBurn
Quitesimply,dryseasonedhardwood.
Fromwhenwoodisfirstcutdown,ittakesupto
12 months of dry storage for the wood to
season properly. The seasoning process is
underwaywhencracksbegintoappearatthe
endsofcuttimber.
Useofmoistorunseasonedwoodwillresultin
excessivesmoke,longerstartuptimes,alazy
flame that requires more air to stay alight,
creosotebuildupintheflueandonthedoor
glass, and a much less powerful fire. The
reasonissimple.Heatthatwouldnormallybe
goingintotheroomiswastedboilingwaterthat
is trapped inside the wood. This poor
performancecostsyoumoneyinwastedfuel
andincreasedmaintenance.
Itisdifficulttodetermineifwoodisdryjustby
lookingatit.Ifyoucanhearthewoodsizzle
andhiss,orcanseemoisturebubbling from
thewoodsurface,thenyourwoodistoowet.In
practice,thebestthingyoucandoistobesure
ofthesource.Buyyourwoodfromreputable
wood merchants. Make sure you store the
woodcorrectly.
WoodStorage
Itisimportantthatwoodbestoredundercover.
Evenwoodthatisyearsoldwillabsorblarge
quantities of moisture if exposed to the
elements.
It is advisable that wood is stacked to allow
someairflowinandaroundthelogs.Thiswill
helpkeepthewooddry.
WoodSplitting
Itisbesttohaveonhandagoodrangeofwood
sizestohelpcontrolthefire.Theruleofthumb
is:thehotterthefire,thebiggerthelogyoucan
putin.
* Youneedverysmallpiecesofkindlingto
getthefirestartedefficiently.
* Smallpieces upto about50mm thickare
goodwhenthefireisstillbeingestablished,
orwhenyouwanttoreviveafirethathas
burntlow.
* Larger logs are excellent for long burns
oncethefireiswellestablished.
7