WOODSELECTION
Fewthingsaffecttheperformanceofyourheaterasmuchasthefuelyouburn.Takenoteofthefollowing:
WhatNotToBurn
*
Softwood(exceptkindling)
*
Wetorunseasonedwood
*
Treatedorpaintedtimber
*
Saltwaterwood
*
Coalorcharcoal
*
Garbage,plasticetc
*
Any solvents, kerosene, petrol or any
flammableliquid.
WhatToBurn
Quitesimply,dryseasonedhardwood.
Fromwhenwoodisfirstcutdown,ittakesupto
12 months of dry storage for the wood to
season properly. The seasoning process is
underwaywhencracksbegintoappearatthe
endsofcuttimber.
Useofmoistorunseasonedwoodwillresultin
excessivesmoke,longerstartuptimes,alazy
flame that requires more air to stay alight,
creosotebuildupintheflueandonthedoor
glass, and a much less powerful fire. The
reasonissimple.Heatthatwouldnormallybe
goingintotheroomiswastedboilingwaterthat
is trapped inside the wood. This poor
performancecostsyoumoneyinwastedfuel
andincreasedmaintenance.
Itisdifficulttodetermineifwoodisdryjustby
lookingatit.Ifyoucanhearthewoodsizzle
and hiss, or can see moisture bubbling from
thewoodsurface,thenyourwoodistoowet.In
practice,thebestthingyoucandoistobesure
ofthesource.Buyyourwoodfromreputable
wood merchants. Make sure you store the
woodcorrectly.
WoodStorage
Itisimportantthatwoodbestoredundercover.
Evenwoodthatisyearsoldwillabsorblarge
quantities of moisture if exposed to the
elements.
It is advisable that wood is stacked to allow
someairflowinandaroundthelogs.Thiswill
helpkeepthewooddry.
WoodSplitting
Itisbesttohaveonhandagoodrangeofwood
sizestohelpcontrolthefire.Theruleofthumb
is:thehotterthefire,thebiggerthelogyoucan
putin.
*
You need very small pieces of kindling to
getthefirestartedefficiently.
*
Small pieces up to about 50mm thick are
goodwhenthefireisstillbeingestablished,
orwhenyouwanttoreviveafirethathas
burntlow.
*
Larger logs are excellent for long burns
oncethefireiswellestablished.
7
