Seasoned firewood produces less creosote, and therefore reduces your risk of fire. Knowing whether you are purchasing seasoned firewood can be difficult, which is why our chimney sweeps would like to offer you this advice.
Characteristics
Well-seasoned firewood has lost a great deal of water, which ultimately causes it to shrink. Not only does this mean that seasoned firewood is smaller, but it also means that pieces may develop “checks” on their ends. Checks are actually small cracks, and are different from splits in the wood, which are usually deeper and appear in the center.
Other characteristics that well-seasoned firewood may have include:
- Bark that is very loose and peeling away from the rest of the wood
- A silvery patina with no visible yellowing on the log itself
- Being slightly darker in color than freshly-cut firewood
Another way to determine if wood is seasoned is to feel how heavy it is. Seasoned firewood is lighter, because a great deal of moisture has already evaporated from it. If you aren’t quite sure how much a particular species of wood should weigh, try feeling a piece that has recently been cut if possible.
Find out when Cut
The best way to determine if your firewood is seasoned is to find out when it was cut. Most species take at least six months to properly cure, but nine to 12 months of seasoning will provide you with ideal results. Unless you are buying firewood directly from a supplier, finding out when it was cut may not be possible, in which case you will need to examine it carefully for one of the above signs.
Even when burning seasoned firewood, you will still need chimney cleaning in New York City NY on an annual basis to ensure your safety.
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