Choosing and Storing Heating Wood

If there is one reason why people hesitate to use a wood heater it is usually that they are concerned about getting the proper type of heating wood and storing it correctly. This is really an unnecessary concern if just a bit of attention is given to the kind of wood that is being purchased or cut and how it is stored.

The best woods for heating

Hardwood is the ideal wood for home heaters. It burns hot and with much less smoke emission. It also produces less creosote, a gummy, highly combustible substance that can build up in your chimney and flue and cause fires. Woods such as maple, oak and birch are ideal for heating large areas in cold weather. They are great to use for overnight fires as they burn more slowly than the soft woods. Softer woods can be used in milder climates to warm up the room quickly. Spruce and cedar are great as a softwood fire, and are excellent as kindling to get the hardwood fires started.

Your local wood supplier can advise you on the best heating woods available in your area. You may also want to contact the local agriculture extension or field office as they can provide information on the local forests and how to identify different types of wood in the area that is most suitable for wood heaters.

Cutting the wood

Keeping the length and size of the wood easy to work with is the key. Just because your wood heater can hold two foot logs doesn't mean that you have to burn logs that long. Usually burning long logs is counterproductive as there is not enough oxygen left in the back part of the stove to efficiently.

Measure your stove and plan to burn logs that are at least 3 inches (7.5 cm) shorter than the length or width of the firebox. Ideally the logs should not be longer than 16 inches (40 cm) for ease of handling. Remember that you can load your heater either lengthwise or across, so try experimenting with different lengths to find which way works best for your heater.

The more cut edges on the wood the easier it will be to get it to burn. Split wood catches fire and burns cleaner than whole logs. Try at least splitting wood once to provide a cut edge for the flame.

Storing and seasoning wood

Seasoned wood is dry and very easy to burn. It has been exposed to the sun and the wind to dry the natural moisture out of the logs. Green wood that has just been cut may contain as much as half its weight in water, and to burn properly this must be reduced to 15 to 20%. Green wood will be noticeable because there will be drops of moisture on the cut ends and the wood will have a wet or damp feel on the edges. Dry wood, on the other hand, may be cracked looking at the ends and will be very dry to the touch.

The key to properly seasoning or drying wood is to stack it to maximize exposure to the air and the drying wind, without allowing it to become wet from the rain. A few simple steps will help you accomplish this:

Cover the top layer with a piece of plywood or other flat wood to keep the rain off. Allow the wind and sun to dry the wood over the summer and fall.

In the winter move the wood to a dry, sheltered location that is easily accessible. For safety reasons the wood should not be piled against the house to avoid any unnecessary fire risks.

Place two long logs or rails down on the group parallel to each other and slightly closer together than the length of the firewood pieces.

Stack the first layer of green firewood across the rails.

Stack the next layer of green firewood the same direction as the rails, and continue this pattern.

Following this simple advice will help you enjoy the warmth of your wood heater all through the long cold winter months.