Firewood / kindling
What types of wood are suitable as kindling for my fire bowl?
The most suitable wood for kindling is easily flammable wood such as: Fir, pine or spruce. This is due to the higher resin content. The resin is also easily flammable. Also make sure that the wood is untreated. Split as thinly as possible, these types of wood are excellent for starting a decent fire in the fire bowl.
What types of wood are best for the stove, fireplace and fire bowl and have a long burn time?
- Birch wood is well suited because it has a low spark, burns slightly slower than coniferous wood
- Oak wood is mainly used in ground or tiled stoves. It burns for a very long time
- Ash wood has little tendency to fly sparks and is well suited for open fireplaces and fire bowls
- Beech wood forms few sparks, has a high calorific value and is suitable for all stoves and fire bowls
- Maple wood has almost the same calorific value as beech and is very popular
- Alder wood is very cheap and burns well
- Larch wood, is only suitable for closed systems, because of the flying sparks. However, it provides a cozy feeling due to its crackling when burning down
- Cherry wood also has a high calorific value
How big should firewood logs be?
Firewood logs should have a length of about 25 - 33 cm. The diameter should be between 7 and 8 cm. In the end matched to their fire bowl, firewood rack and the opening of the fireplace.
What kind of wood should not be used?
In any case, you should not use treated wood, coated, chipboard, painted wood or newspaper, because when burning here pollutants and unnecessary soot are released. Wood that is too wet is also unfavorable. It has hardly any calorific value, soots and emits more pollutants. Indoors, some of these toxins will also always enter the living space from the fireplace. And most importantly, burning wood with a moisture content of more than 25 percent is prohibited by the Ordinance to the Federal Immission Control Act.
What should I pay attention to when drying firewood?
- The firewood must be dry and protected
- Do not store wood on the weather side (west)
- Stack with enough air / space between them
- Keep at least 5cm distance to buildings even on the back side
- Sunny locations are preferable
- If you have to cover your wood, still make sure that the air underneath can circulate a bit
- The moisture content should be only 15 % - 20 % after drying
- From 4 years of storage, it should be used slowly. From now on it decomposes visibly
Can I cover my firewood to keep it dry?
In autumn you should cover it to protect it from rain, later from snow. However, never cover it completely with a plastic sheet. Air must always get to your wood. Without air circulation covered wood can begin to mold, because the moisture can not escape. The most suitable is a small canopy, which protects from rain.
When is the best time to buy firewood?
Either directly from the forester, when you see that trees are cut in the forest, or all year round in fuel stores or hardware stores. Usually wood is cut in winter. Then it has the lowest water content in the year. Ideal to get logs, divide them and split to stack the logs then to dry.
When can you buy firewood cheaply?
The best time to buy firewood has turned out to be the period before the summer vacations. From autumn firewood usually becomes more expensive again.
What are wood briquettes?
Wood briquettes are actually just pressed and dried wood chips. Due to the high density that is created during pressing and the low residual moisture (for certified wood briquettes) of less than 10 %, they achieve almost the calorific value of brown coal, approx. 4.8 kWh/kg. The burning time of angular wood briquettes is about 3 hours. For cylindrical wood briquettes it is about 4 hours. For octagonal wood briquettes in the shape of a stick, the burning time is about 5 hours. The big advantage is that wood briquettes are regionally available, so they are very sustainable.
How and why stack firewood on the shelf?
The firewood is stacked on the shelf to get a maximum residual moisture of 20 % or below. This drying of wood takes about 2-3 years in optimal storage conditions, only then your wood has reached its optimal calorific value.
There are quite inexpensive wood moisture meters available in the trade for this purpose.
Please make sure that you do not store your wood for too long, because after about 4 years the calorific value decreases and the decomposition process takes its course.
How do I proceed?
First of all, choose the right location. If possible not the weather side (west) where the rain always hits. Ideally, the place should be sunny and windy. This is important so that your firewood does not get mold or fungus. Wet wood should be stacked loosely with many large gaps, so that the wind can dry it better. Do not underestimate the power / importance of the wind when doing this. Anyone who has dried laundry outside in the garden will appreciate a gentle breeze. The same is true when drying wood. Indoor spaces are not good for drying. Always protect your wood from below as well by never stacking it directly on the floor. It is best if air can circulate under your firewood pile as well.
