Seasoned Wood vs Unseasoned Wood
When it comes to making a fire it is important to know which is the best type of log to use. You need to make sure that the wood you use is seasoned properly to ensure you receive that optimal burn. Hardwoods such as oak are a much stronger and tougher woods and must be seasoned for over a year. Creosote build up can often cause many problems so it is important to understand which logs can decrease the chances of creosote build up. The answer to this question is simple. Properly seasoned wood provides less creosote.
Many people often become very frustrated when building a fire because if you are using unseasoned logs your fire will do three things:
- The fire will keep going out
- The fire won’t give out any heat
- The fire will smoulder
The moisture contained within the wood is what accelerates the speed of creosote build up, which can leave your chimney blocked up. The more moisture that is contained within the log determines whether the fire is going to generate heat. Therefore it is essential to know your wood before you buy.
The difference between Seasoned & Unseasoned wood
Knowing the difference between seasoned and unseasoned wood will benefit you in the future, when building any type of fire. Seasoned wood is grey or dark when you compare it to the likes of green wood. On the inside, the wood is white and has many small cracks on the inner ring and will be very brittle. Unseasoned wood is wet and looks very new and fresh in the middle. The wood is lighter towards the edges of the log and the bark is tightly attached.
The longer a log is left to dry, the better it will be seasoned. Logs usually have a lifespan of 4-5 years, so the best time to use the logs as firewood is after 2-3 years when they are in their optimal condition. It is important that all logs are seasoned for over one year. Therefore when it comes to you buying your next batch of firewood always buy logs from the year before.
During winter periods, you will be disappointed if you are buying the wrong type of wood to start your fire.
Ensure you are buying dry seasoned wood.
West Yorkshire Logs offer fantastic dry and seasoned logs. To see a list of our hardwood logs click here.
If you are looking for experienced tree surgeons in Leeds then please go to West Yorkshire Tree Services to see a full list of tree services.