How to Burn a Log of Wood
Wood-fired stoves are efficient home-heating systems. Normally, wood is split into halves or quarters, but some logs do not need to be split. When the log is small enough to fit into the stove without splitting first, it's best to leave it whole. Single logs are more difficult to burn because of protective carbon layers that wrap around the log in the "rings" of the log that mark the years. These rings, however, also make the log produce an even heat that lasts longer than split wood. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Place three quarters of a small split log inside a wood stove. Stack them on top of each other perpendicular but slightly diagonal so that air can travel between them. Crumple four sheets of newspaper lightly and stuff them into the stove on top of the log quarters.
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Place a handful of dry kindling approximately 1/2-by-3/4-inch each, on top of the newspaper. Open the draft on the front of the stove. Light the newspaper afire. Wait until the paper is completely engulfed in flames and shut the door. Wait 20 minutes.
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Open the stove door and carefully place the log on top of the burning log quarters. Shut the door. Wait 20 minutes.
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Open the door. If the log is smoldering and not sufficiently on fire, use a fire poker to shift the log diagonally placing it over hot, red coals. Place one log quarter on each side of the log. Shut the door on the stove and wait 15 minutes.
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Open the door on the stove. Add another quarter log every hour after that until the log has burned up.
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Tips & Warnings
Logs are not created equal. If you try to burn a log that is not cured, or logs that are extremely hard like Locust or Maple, you may have to add extra dry log quarters to keep the log burning. For best results, once your log is burning well -- provided that your stove is big enough -- add another log to the first.
Never leave a fire unattended.
References
- Photo Credit Bright inflaming fire on a wood image by ta_samaya from Fotolia.com
