While it may be tempting to “just burn whatever” in your fireplace, you want to get the most out of your appliance. It goes without saying that you should not burn anything besides wood in a wood burning fireplace or stove. Furthermore, you want quality wood/fuel.

So how do you select the best wood to burn in your fireplace?

Quality wood means well seasoned wood. If wood is too new/wet it doesn’t make good fuel. If wood is too old and full of mold/mildew, it can pose health hazards. Well seasoned wood is wood that has been chopped, stacked and stored properly for about two years. Almost any variety of wood will burn fine in your wood fireplace or stove, as long as it’s seasoned and dry. Hard woods like ash and oak are top choices for  longer burn times in your appliance, but most soft woods will burn fine too. Most types of wood produce the same BTU’s of heat per pound, so it is a matter of how fast you burn up the wood in the appliance that dictates how hot the unit will be and how much heat is produced. Of course your hardwoods will last longer and produce less ash that most soft woods.

The length of time that a wood fire will last and how much heat that it will produce is mostly dependent on the design of the appliance. The MagnuM Model 02 wood burning fireplace insert and the Inglenook wood fireplace are designed for high efficiency and are a top choice for homeowners looking to heat their home with wood.

Check with your local city or county forester to see if certain wood in your area is best not to be used. Some woods can produce excessive creosote and cause chimney problems.

Do you have a question for our heating specialists? You can call us toll-free at 1-800-495-3196 today!