Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - Firewood Type for Fireplace

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a12
09-18-02, 11:45 AM
I called a place for wood delivery and they told me that they have two different kinds of mixes:
-One for wood stoves which consists of Maple, Oak and Hickory
-One for fireplaces which consists of Soft Maple, Ash and Birch

I will be getting the one for a fireplace. This is my first time buying wood, so is this a good mix to have, or should I be getting something different that's not mix, mixed with different wood, etc.? Any comments appreciated. Thanks


Mike Swearingen
09-18-02, 06:05 PM
Mixing any of these hardwoods is fine. Oak, hickory and ash are hardest and best. Birch and soft maple are o.k., but will burn faster.
Just don't use any pine (FAR too much pitch and it will create a lot of creosote in your chimney).
For the best heating efficiency, you should use 1/3 green to 2/3 seasoned hardwood once you build up a bed of coals.
Start a small fire in the back of the fireplace, and then add to it.
Modern homes are often too airtight, and you may have to crack a window in the room with the fireplace to get it to draw properly and not smoke, especially when you first light it (before the chimney heats up).
Have your chimney cleaned and inspected annually, preferably by a sweep with a video camera.
Good luck!
Mike