How to Select Firewood
Fires are attractive, and add to the appeal of a room. A long-burning fire adds a benefit, because it helps lower your heating bill. This is especially useful during the winter months, when heating costs are generally high. Select the ideal firewood to build a long-lasting fire. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Look for seasoned wood, or wood that has been aged for six months to one year. If you are buying firewood in advance -- for the following year's winter season -- it may be green. Stack and store green wood in a sunny location for at least six months.
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Choose wood that is lightweight, indicating that it is fully dry. Strike the wood against an object, and listen to the sound. Dry wood emits a "sharp" sound when it strikes something. Wet wood makes a "dull" noise.
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Obtain firewood that is cut to fit in your fireplace or woodstove. Cut or split it to size if it is too large.
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Select pieces of firewood based on your needs. Thin sticks ignite quickly, and burn even more quickly. Thick logs start more slowly, but burn for much longer.
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Avoid pine wood covered with tree sap. This sap is very flammable, and might cause a chimney fire. Avoid wood that is -- or has been -- covered with poison ivy. The fumes from the ivy-covered log can cause a reaction in some people.
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Tips & Warnings
Store firewood off of the ground to keep it away from water and pests.
References
- Photo Credit Flame of a fire and fire wood in fireplace image by Aliaksandr Zabudzko from Fotolia.com
