Ventis Forever Firebox – OCV-RR-36/42 – 07-10-2020 rev4 32
41. Fuel
WARNING! USE SOLID
WOOD FUEL ONLY
Other fuels may overfire and generate
poisonous gases (i.e. carbon monoxide).
Softwood/Hardwood
Fireplace performance is dependent on the
quality of firewood you decide to use. All
seasoned wood contains around 8,000 BTUs per
pound (In terms of energy content, the variation
in wood speces is very little). Hardwoods are
more dense than softwoods. A cord of a
hardwood, such as Maple, contains around 60%
more potential energy than a cord of a softwood,
such as Spruce.
Softwood
Most softwoods are coniferous (trees with
needle-like leaves that remain green throughout
the year). Softwoods require less drying time,
are easier to ignite, and burn faster than
hardwoods due to them being more porous than
hardwoods. Douglas Fir, Cedar, Pine, and Spruce
are examples of coniferous trees.
Hardwood
Hardwood trees are deciduous (broadleaf trees
that lose their leaves in the fall). Hardwoods take
more time to dry, are usually harder to ignite,
and burn slower than softwoods. Birch, Hickory,
Maple, Oak, and Apple are examples of
deciduous trees.
Your Wood Pile
You will obviously use the type of wood that is
most readily available in your area. But, the best
arrangment is have a mix of softwood and
hardwood, if at all possible. With a mix of
softwood and hardwood, you can use the
softwood for starting your fire, giving off quick
heat which will bring the fireplace up to
operating temperature and then add the
hardwood for a longer burn time and slow, even
heat.
42. Moisture Content
WARNING! RISK OF FIRE
DO NOT burn wet or green wood.
Wet, unseasoned wood can cause an
accumulation of creosote.
Most of the problems fireplace owners face are
caused by attempting to burn wet, unseasoned
firewood. Freshly cut fire wood can have a
moisture content of 50%, meaning the log is as
much water as it is wood. (If a freshly cut log
weighs 16 pounds, with 50% moisture content,
trying to burn that would be the same as trying
to burn a gallon of water.) Dead wood that has
been lying on the forest floor is considered wet
and will require full seasoning time. Standing
dead wood, if cut during the dry time of the year,
can be considered 2/3 seasoned.
Burning unseasoned wood will produce less heat
output because it requires heat energy to
evaporate the water trapped inside. This energy,
that should be heating your home, is wasted. As
this moisture evaporates it creates steam which
will cool your firebox and chimney system.
Combining this steam with tar and other organic
vapors from burning wood, will form creosote
which will condense in the relatively cool firebox
and chimney.
Dry wood contains at least 15% moisture, and
should be burned hot enough to keep the
chimney hot as long as it takes to dry the wood
out, which is around one hour.
Check the ends of your legs to see if the wood is
dry enough to burn. If there are cracks radiating
from the center in all directions, it is dry. If your
wood sizzles in the fire it may not bee fully cured,
even though the surface is dry.
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