Angry howl of the wind, furry flakes of snow dancing in a frenzied rhythm of winter dance, ornate frosty patterns on the glass ... All this is there, outside the window. A smile illuminates the face, because the house is so cozy: burning firewood for the fireplace crackle cheerfully, bright tongues of flame twist upward, the room is enveloped in bliss and pleasant warmth. Does it sound familiar? This means that there is a fireplace in your house! This spectacular piece of furniture
perfectly ennobles the room, brings comfort to it. But its main purpose is to warm. Newly made fireplace owners do not always know how to heat it properly, what kind of wood is best for this and how you can get economical heat in the winter cold. All these questions you can get up-to-date answers right now in the shopping club WESTWING.
Which is better?
Naturally, the best firewood for a fireplace should provide more heat when burning, while smoking as little as possible. When choosing a certain type of firewood for a fireplace, one should be guided by a simple rule: the higher the density of the wood, the more heat will be from the firewood.
The most common types of wood used as fuel are:
- Poplar (not the best option for heating a fireplace, you can use it if you don't have other firewood). Poplar is widespread, so the price for this type of firewood is very low. But the quality of the wood is very low, poplar firewood burns out very quickly, while not much heat is generated.
- Oak (the highest quality firewood). Oak firewood is characterized by high heat transfer and long burning time. Oak firewood is suitable for both a closed and open firebox. But oak firewood is notable for its high cost, and not every owner of a wood-burning fireplace can afford to be heated with oak wood.
- Birch (widely used as fuel for wood stoves and fireplaces). Birch firewood gives a good heat, but it is still recommended to use it in fireplaces with a closed hearth, as birch firewood tends to generate a lot of smoke.
- Of conifers, pine and larch are widely used as fuel for fireplaces. Pine and larch firewood burns beautifully, while giving off a lot of heat.
- Aspen and alder belong to the density of wood, to soft woods, and are used only as firewood, to clean the chimney from soot.
Keep in mind that raw wood containing 50% moisture will burn less efficiently than dried wood containing 15% to 20% moisture. Read an overview of manufacturers of electric fireplaces.
The picture shows a heating fireplace with masonry of firewood for it.
The firewood combustion temperature is influenced by the design features and material of the furnace, as well as the intensity of oxygen entering the furnace. For example, firewood burning in a stone or brick stove or fireplace occurs more evenly and for a long time than in a metal stove-stove.
The combustion temperature of poplar wood is 468 ° C, while the heat output of firewood is 39% out of 100%.
The burning temperature of oak wood is 840 - 900 ° C, while the heat output of the wood is 70 - 75% of 100%.
The burning temperature of birch firewood is 816 ° C, while the heat output of firewood is 68% out of 100%.
The burning temperature of pine wood is 624 ° C, while the heat output of the wood is 52% out of 100%.
The burning temperature of alder wood is 552 ° C (aspen wood 612 ° C), while the heat output of alder wood is 46% (aspen wood 51%) out of 100%.
The length of the firewood for the fireplace is selected based on the size of the combustion chamber. The most optimal size of firewood will be their length, equal to 2/3 of the furnace hole. The most common length of logs is 33 cm.
Firewood for an open fireplace
The operation of open fireplaces places special demands on the fuel. So, in this case, firewood should have a low combustion rate, and should not spark, as well as give off an unpleasant odor. Conifers are immediately excluded - they simply do not meet these requirements.
If we talk about suitable options, then their list will look like this:
- Oak... Ideal for open hearth fireplaces. Oak firewood burns long enough and gives off a lot of heat. Oak wood contains essential oils, which are released during combustion and fill the room with a pleasant aroma. If you use firewood without bark, then they will almost not spark. The main disadvantage of this option is its high cost.
- Alder... Traditional Russian fuel, which has been used for open stoves for a very long time. Alder firewood emit a minimum of smoke and have a solid heat capacity. In addition, such firewood itself is quite attractive - you can simply put it in a woodpile, and it will already improve the interior.
- Birch... When burning, birch firewood for a fireplace almost does not emit carbon monoxide, and smoke, in addition to a good smell, has disinfecting properties. A distinctive feature of birch firewood is the ability to use it even with a considerable moisture content. The main disadvantage is the release of a large amount of soot, therefore, when using such firewood, you will have to clean the chimney much more often than usual.
- Aspen... Aspen logs deserve attention for one very important quality - when using them, the chimney is cleared of soot. This quality makes it possible to significantly simplify the maintenance of the chimney structure - it is enough to heat the fireplace only once every couple of months using aspen firewood. The main disadvantage of such firewood is its too low heat capacity, which does not allow it to be constantly heated.
- Cherry, Apple and Juniper... These types of wood are ideal for open fireplaces due to their good smell and minimal sparks. In addition, such firewood can be used not only on its own, but also as a pleasant addition to the main fuel. A do-it-yourself firebox for a fireplace can be made, which will not only allow you to fold firewood, but also decorate the room with an original design.
Elite firewood
Elite firewood for the fireplace is the highest quality firewood. The material for elite firewood is carefully selected, the firewood is washed, packaged, dried to a certain percentage of humidity (18%), in addition, elite firewood can be soaked in essential oils. Elite wood is cleaned of foreign particles and does not leave dirt on the floor. Elite firewood, as a rule, is supplied with an individual stamp of the manufacturing company. An overview of the characteristics and types of built-in electric fireplaces here: https://mykaminz.ru/kaminy/vidy-kaminov/elektricheskie/obzor-xarakteristik-i-vidov-vstraivaemyx-kaminov-elektricheskix.html.
Division by classification
Firewood, the preparation of which can be done by hand, can be divided according to the method of its purpose and classification, based on this, the fuel may differ in the size of the material, the type of wood, the quality of the processed processing and other equally important and relevant parameters.
Thus, the logs can be used for barbecues, smokehouses or fireplaces with ovens.
For heating, first of all, a material is intended that is ideal for:
- Fireplaces and stoves;
- Furnaces are rude;
- Solid fuel boilers, which are part of the water supply system of the house with water and heat it up.
Firewood for heating rooms should give as much heat and heat as possible, in this case, give preference to hard types of wood, such firewood burns for a long time and you become coal as a result of complete burning. Choose large enough logs, not branches and chips, and in this case, you can buy ready-made pressed fuel.
In any case, in order to maintain a comfortable temperature in the house, it is necessary to put firewood into the firebox at regular intervals and without waiting until the flame is completely extinguished, for lighting it is best to lay small branches or chips as a lower layer.
The types of firewood, as many think, include long-burning firewood, but this is not the case, in fact, the whole feature lies in the principle of operation of the boiler equipment, and the most ordinary logs are used.
Firewood in long-burning boilers burns out gradually and layer by layer, until the bottom row burns out, the top one starts to burn, thereby a fireplace or a long-burning stove can work from one fuel tab even for a day.
For barbecues on which food is prepared in the garden, certain wood is also selected and suitable, first of all it should be noted that the logs should be thinner. In order to make meat or any other prepared product more tasty, juicy and aromatic, firewood of fruit origin is most often used, namely apple or cherry. Alternatively, you can use a vine that is thick enough to burn out into coal, but this fuel is difficult to obtain.
As a ready-made fuel for barbecues, you can buy pre-packaged coal, however, it must also meet a number of specific requirements, namely, it burns up quickly, but smolders slowly and gives off a strong heat.
For smokehouses, the optimal and suitable type of fuel will be small-sized firewood, they should also not give foreign impurities and should give as much smoke as possible. Do not use coated wood, paint, varnish or softwood logs impregnated with various oils and other chemicals for smokers.
The optimal and most suitable option for smokehouses is small chips and sawdust, which can be prepared with your own hands, just finely chopping wood and tree branches and drying them well. Alternatively, you can buy ready-made prepackaged wood chips in the store.
As a result of smoldering, sawdust begins to emit a large amount of smoke, which permeates and envelops the product in the chamber, and for maximum results, the lid of the smokehouse is hermetically closed, preventing oxygen from entering the chamber.
Artificial
It is not always possible to equip a fireplace that runs on natural wood, for example, in an apartment. And in this case, apartment owners resort to various tricks, for example, install fireplaces that run on electricity or biofuel. And for a better imitation of a real fireplace, the hearth can be additionally equipped with decorative firewood.
Ceramic firewood is made from heat-resistant ceramics. Ceramic firewood qualitatively imitate wood logs. This type of artificial firewood is intended for reusable use in biofireplaces. Ceramic wood can be used right next to the fire, as it is resistant to high temperatures. Read an overview of the types and photos of fireplaces on this page.
Electric firewood is equipped with LED lighting, simulating the effect of smoldering firewood.This type of firewood is used in fireplaces powered by electricity.
Decorative firewood for fireplaces in the photo.
Closed option
Thinking about what kind of wood is better to heat a fireplace with a glass covering the firebox, it comes to the understanding that the range of suitable options here is much wider. In addition to the types of firewood that we have already examined, you can use other wood that emits smoke, sparks, because the fire is reliably hidden behind a protective screen. The main thing is that the length of the firewood for the fireplace allows them to be fully loaded into the firebox and close it.
When choosing firewood for a closed fireplace, it should be remembered that hard, strong wood burns out longer than soft wood, therefore, additional logs will need to be thrown less often, and heat transfer will be higher.
Closed fireplace in a private house
Warm ash. If we consider dense and strong wood, which can burn even in its raw state, then ash is beyond competition. These woods are considered the hottest with maximum heat dissipation. Ash is an excellent option in cases where it is necessary to heat the room in the shortest possible time, quickly heat the bath. Linden has similar characteristics, but it is not possible to find it, like ash, in all regions.
Fragrant needles. As we said earlier, conifers are not suitable for kindling open fireplaces and stoves, but in a closed version they will be appropriate. Coniferous firewood is distinguished by good heat transfer, and the burning period of wood can be described as normal, and what a pleasant aroma from them. It is optimal to use pine for the house, it has a greater heat transfer.
An obvious disadvantage of needles is its increased resin content, from which soot and soot will inevitably form on the walls of the chimneys. If your firebox is covered by glass, then you will have to clean it after using such wood.
Useless poplar. One of the cheapest firewood is poplar wood. The fact is that these firewood burns very quickly, and they emit very little heat. The relevance of their use in the fireplace is controversial, but in the warm season, if you need a short cozy pastime, such firewood may well be thrown into the fireplace.
Alluring fire in the fireplace
When harvesting wood for your fireplace, do not forget about the size of the logs. Do not make too thick or thin firewood. The optimal size is considered to be a width of 6-8 centimeters, but you choose the length based on the size of the firebox. The normal length of logs is 2/3 of the width of the firebox.
Good to know: How to properly heat a stove with coal, basic rules
Regardless of what kind of wood you use in fireplaces and stoves, you should try to dry it as much as possible. In this case, its characteristics will be optimal. For normal drying of the forest, it should be stored by placing it in a well-assembled woodshed with a well-thought-out design.
How to heat?
In order to kindle a fireplace, you will need improvised means (chips, splinters, newspapers), which are laid out in an even layer on the grate. The starting material is ignited. Then firewood is laid in the combustion chamber. The logs are laid horizontally (leave a one centimeter gap between the logs). Further, with the help of a blower, the draft in the fireplace is regulated. Read a review of the characteristics and photos of electric corner fireplaces.
Alternative option
In city apartments, unfortunately, we cannot install a full-fledged fireplace, either open or closed, since it is technically almost impossible to do this. At the same time, we can easily supply ourselves with a biofireplace that runs on alternative fuels.
To create a full-fledged entourage, you should use ceramic firewood for the bio fireplace, which, along with other decorative accessories, are sold in the appropriate stores.Crafted from ceramics and properly painted, decorative firewood, logs or coals will perfectly complement the living fire of a biofireplace, and you will receive a full-fledged aura of comfort, coziness and warmth.
We hope that after reading this material, you have no questions about what kind of firewood is best used for kindling a fireplace. Use dry and quality wood for maximum results.
Photo coasters
A stand for firewood for the fireplace is necessary for storing a small supply of firewood near the fireplace, in such a stand the firewood is additionally warmed up and dried for further use.
A wicker basket used as a woodpile for storing firewood looks very colorful.
The photo shows a classic forged woodpile.
Wood piles can look very original, for example, as in the photo.
Worst firewood for a fireplace
Do not under any circumstances send to the firebox:
- Coniferous wood. The resin contained in them, when heated, causes the wood to burst, which can lead to the ejection of coals from the firebox. You don't want to start a fire, do you? Plus, the needles give a lot of soot, because of which the pipe can quickly deteriorate.
- Old lumber. Did you make repairs and decided to burn the remnants of a rotten floor, plywood or painted fiberboard? Ditch this idea if you don't want the whole house to smell of damaged wood and burnt paint. The fireplace requires the use of noble wood species.
- Wet firewood. As mentioned above, the only exception is birch. The rest of the wood will smoke and smoke, which will significantly reduce the service life of the firebox and chimney. It is possible to use raw firewood only in extreme cases, for example, if it is cold outside and nothing else is at hand.
Consider the above if you want to use the fireplace for many years without facing any problems.
Birch firewood - traditional
They are considered by many to be the best for the stove, and for the fireplace, and for the bath. And there are reasons for that: dry birch firewood will be kindled without problems, they will burn for a long time, with a beautiful even flame, almost without sparks. They give a lot of heat and have the ability to disinfect the air, which is filled with a pleasant light aroma, so lovers of the bath appreciate birch woods. And this type of fuel, when burned, emits very little
(this does not mean, however, that you can neglect the safety rules).
Birch firewood is suitable for a stove, a fireplace, and a bath
But without a "fly in the ointment" was not done. And the most that is real tar - birch. Because of it, a lot of soot and soot is formed in the chimney and on the walls of the stove, which is heated with such wood. Traction from this becomes worse, and the likelihood of a fire is higher. So, when choosing a birch, prepare in advance for the work of a chimney sweep.
Fruit wood - fragrant
After trimming
and other trees in the garden sometimes there are many branches and twigs. Someone lets them into the fire, but the zealous owner will certainly cut everything neatly, chop it and put it in a woodpile. Because in the bath, such firewood is a miracle: they burn hot, even, give light steam and a pleasant delicate aroma. And it's nice to throw a couple of poles into the fireplace. Especially appreciated
- from them and more heat, and almost no smoke. However, this option is more an exotic pleasure than a daily practice: after all, no one grows fruit trees for the sake of collecting firewood.
Apple or cherry firewood is more exotic than a daily practice
Yes, also keep in mind: if the tree was very old, and the wood inside is rotten, it is better not to use it for a bath. However, rottenness is also of little use in a home stove.
Where to buy good firewood?
On the DroVam.rf website you can order high-quality, beautiful, fully prepared firewood for laying in a stove or fireplace.Firewood of any kind, wood of any species are available for selection. All logs in a bundle are of the same size, which means that it is convenient to put them in the firebox, they form an even hill and give a good, stable flame.
To place an order, leave a request on the website through the feedback form or order a call back. We deliver firewood in Moscow and the Moscow region, and on the same day when the application was submitted. Call to get more detailed information.
How to prepare material
Better suited for burning dry wood in the fireplace. A fifth of the moisture remains in the raw material after 2 years of drying the wood outside. It is recommended to dry it in woodpiles folded under the shelter, in which the chopped chocks are well blown by the wind:
- the length of the logs should not exceed 40 cm. The best option is 3/4 of the width of the firebox;
- the diameter of firewood, ensuring good combustion, is 6-8 cm;
- in the woodpile, it is desirable to alternate the longitudinal and transverse arrangement of the chocks in 1 row.
Free blowing of air masses of wood promotes drying of raw materials. Oak firewood is dried for 2 years before use.
Aspen firewood - cleaning
It is always good to keep aspen firewood in reserve, because they have a very valuable property: they themselves do not give soot, and the carbon deposits formed from other firewood are able to "clean up". True, aspen logs are unlikely to be able to warm well - they emit much less heat during combustion than pine or birch logs.
In the old days, aspen was considered the "firewood of the poor". But tossing up a few aspen logs, completing the firebox, will not be superfluous: the long tongues of the flame rising from them will rid the stove of soot and soot.
Alder firewood - royal
If you manage to get hold of such firewood, consider yourself lucky: they burn hot, almost without smoke and soot, but with a unique aroma that has healing power. It is believed that a bathhouse on alder wood is a sure remedy for colds. And in the old days, they say, exactly
were chosen for stoves in the royal chambers and rich estates. Alder firewood is also appreciated by amateurs
We invite you to read: Vapor barrier film instructions for installation and use
... Fresh cuts of alder have a red-orange color, so that
will look bright and unusual.
True, this wonderful tree has one feature that you may not even know about when buying ready-made logs: all that has been said applies to firewood from alder grown in a dry place. But the marsh and can smoke, and in the bath from it the heat is heavy.
In our catalog, where the products of large garden online stores are presented, you will find convenient bags for carrying firewood, stands for storing them in the house, cleavers and other necessary accessories. Choose useful accessories.
