Hard or soft - what type of wood is best
The difference between 'hard' and 'soft' woods is the density of their cells or fibres. The harder a wood, the greater the density and quantity of fibres in any square inch of that wood.
As a general rule, deciduous trees (those that lose their leaves in the autumn) are usually thought of as hardwoods and evergreen trees (such as pines, firs and larches) as the softwoods. As with all general rules, there are exceptions so it is worth taking the time to understand the nature of the wood you intend to burn.
Hard wood
Assuming that the wood is reasonably dry, the weight of a cubic metre of good hardwood may be up to 50% more than that of a cubic metre of softwood. This means that the same volume of hardwood will provide you with more fuel to burn than an equal amount of softwood, simply because it is more dense and therefore contains more substance.
The other advantage of good hard firewoods are that the stove does not need to be fed as often and the charcoal-beds made by the glowing wood may burn more easily overnight.
Ash - The King of firewood. Produces both heat and bright flame.
Oak - Very dense so difficult to dry. Burns very slowly and gives off lots of heat.
Beech - Produces good flame and heat. Has a tendency to spark.
Hard woods tend to take longer than softwoods to fully dry out. Oak, for example, is very slow to dry out and ideally left for two years.
Softwood
Because softwoods like pine and larch contain a lot of resins and pitch, a popular misconception is that they will fur up the chimney with creosote more easily than a hardwood like oak. This is not necessarily true at all. It is not the pitch that is the problem, it's the water IN the pitch. Once the water in the wood has evaporated, that pitch becomes high octane fuel!
When dry, softwoods burn much faster than hardwoods and have a tendency to spit and crackle. Softwood can be used as firewood and indeed mixed with hardwood but is generally not regarded as the best type of wood for maintaining a fire over longer periods.
Softwoods cut in the previous winter should, with proper storage, be ready to burn the next autumn.
The difference between 'hard' and 'soft' woods is the density of their cells or fibres. The harder a wood, the greater the density and quantity of fibres in any square inch of that wood.
As a general rule, deciduous trees (those that lose their leaves in the autumn) are usually thought of as hardwoods and evergreen trees (such as pines, firs and larches) as the softwoods. As with all general rules, there are exceptions so it is worth taking the time to understand the nature of the wood you intend to burn.
Hard wood
Assuming that the wood is reasonably dry, the weight of a cubic metre of good hardwood may be up to 50% more than that of a cubic metre of softwood. This means that the same volume of hardwood will provide you with more fuel to burn than an equal amount of softwood, simply because it is more dense and therefore contains more substance.
The other advantage of good hard firewoods are that the stove does not need to be fed as often and the charcoal-beds made by the glowing wood may burn more easily overnight.
Ash - The King of firewood. Produces both heat and bright flame.
Oak - Very dense so difficult to dry. Burns very slowly and gives off lots of heat.
Beech - Produces good flame and heat. Has a tendency to spark.
Hard woods tend to take longer than softwoods to fully dry out. Oak, for example, is very slow to dry out and ideally left for two years.
Softwood
Because softwoods like pine and larch contain a lot of resins and pitch, a popular misconception is that they will fur up the chimney with creosote more easily than a hardwood like oak. This is not necessarily true at all. It is not the pitch that is the problem, it's the water IN the pitch. Once the water in the wood has evaporated, that pitch becomes high octane fuel!
When dry, softwoods burn much faster than hardwoods and have a tendency to spit and crackle. Softwood can be used as firewood and indeed mixed with hardwood but is generally not regarded as the best type of wood for maintaining a fire over longer periods.
Softwoods cut in the previous winter should, with proper storage, be ready to burn the next autumn.
Ouzledale Foundry Co Limited, Long Ing, Barnoldswick, Lancashire, BB18 6BN Tel: 01282 813235 Fax: 01282 816876 Email: enquiries@esse.com
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