If your dacha has a stove, fireplace or sauna, it’s never too early to think about buying firewood. But before you spend money on a machine of logs, think about whether you chose the right wood for kindling?
He threw logs into the firebox, saying: “Burn it with a blue flame,” and sit back and enjoy the warmth and comfort. But that was not the case... If the firewood is chosen incorrectly, you will have to “enjoy” smoke and a chimney clogged with soot. Wood of different species differs in a whole list of characteristics. Let's look at the strengths and weaknesses of the most popular options.
Birch firewood
Application : for stoves in the house and bathhouse for heating and creating a pleasant aroma.
Birch is a hardwood species. If the affordable cost of raw materials, heat and burning time are important to you, then this is the best option.
"Pros" of birch
- Doesn't cause any trouble in preparation . The fibers, although strong, are located longitudinally, so chopping birch firewood is not difficult.
- It has a pleasant and healing aroma . When burned, it disinfects the air. Helps prevent colds and has a beneficial effect on the body as a whole.
- Flames easily . The logs are covered with birch bark, which is highly flammable. The fire passes from it to the log itself. For quick kindling, place the firewood with the birch bark side down. It is not difficult to light a birch tree, even if it is damp.
- Gives good heat . In terms of thermal characteristics it is second only to oak. Burns with an even flame and does not spark. Long combustion and high calorific value allow you to warm up the room using less wood.
"Disadvantages" of birch
- Doesn't last long . After two years of storage, it loses its aroma and begins to rot.
- Gives a lot of ash . This is the main reason why birch is not often used for making barbecue. The ash scatters and settles on pieces of meat.
- Contains a lot of tar . This is a combustion product that is harmful to health and clogs the walls of the chimney, settling on them in the form of soot and soot.
Soot deposited in a thick layer can ignite and cause a fire. As it accumulates, it narrows the passage of the chimney, which impairs draft and increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. In addition, excess soot increases the load on the firebox, and it breaks down faster. To avoid clogging the chimney, it is recommended to combine birch firewood with aspen wood.
Dimensions for firewood
Given the high flame trunk, experts recommend making a firebox for wood with a height of 80 cm to 1 m. If these parameters are not observed, the combustion of volatile substances will not occur, as a result of which these particles will settle in the chimney system.
Over time, a significant layer of soot will accumulate, which will lead to a decrease in the efficiency of the entire furnace. In order for the coals to roll, it is necessary to slightly bevel the corner parts of the firebox, which are in direct contact with the grate.
Oak firewood
Application : for a fireplace, barbecue, less often for a bathhouse and heating a house (due to the high cost).
Only Russians can afford the luxury of heating the stove with oak wood. Throughout the world, wood of this species is considered elite and is used primarily for making furniture. A machine of oak logs will be expensive even in the Moscow region, but many believe that this is a justified expense. Especially when it comes to lighting a fireplace or open stoves for cooking.
Finding a specimen suitable for kindling is not easy. Young oaks produce little heat, while old ones produce a lot of ash, emit minimal heat and make the air in the room heavy and stuffy. The ideal option is “middle-aged” trees.
"Pros" of oak
- Has maximum calorific value . Oak wood is very durable, it burns for a long time and gives off intense heat. The coals smolder slowly. The amount of heat generated is 15% more than from birch, and 35% more than from spruce. This allows you to reduce the consumption of logs.
- Stores well and for a long time . Oak is resistant to negative environmental influences. Does not deteriorate for a long time when stored outdoors.
- It has a pleasant and healthy aroma . The soft and slightly tart aroma of oak when burned has a positive effect on the nervous system, improves health and relaxes.
- Does not emit harmful substances when burning or rotting . The wood contains no resins, and the firewood itself burns 89%, releasing only carbon dioxide. Practically does not pollute the chimney.
The ability of oak firewood to produce intense heat is both an advantage and a disadvantage. They release so much thermal energy that not every stove can cope with such a load.
"Disadvantages" of oak
- Overly strong and durable . They are very difficult to split.
- They are very expensive . The wood is considered elite.
What is a fuel briquette?
What types of fuel briquettes are there? You can read on a separate page about fuel briquettes and eurowood, what they are like, and what they are made from.
If you are interested in laying stoves, fireplaces, barbecues, summer kitchens, go to the contacts page and call the stove maker
We went to Finland in 2008, where we took a photo right in the Finnish forest. Attaching photo
