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3. Fuel
Good firewood has been cut to the correct length for the insert, split to a range of sizes and
stacked in the open until its moisture content is down to 15% to 20%.
DO NOT BURN:
- GARBAGE OF ANY KIND,
- COAL OR CHARCOAL,
- TREATED, PAINTED OR COATED WOOD,
- PLYWOOD OR PARTICLE BOARD,
- FINE PAPER, COLORED PAPER OR CARDBOARD,
- SALT WATER DRIFTWOOD,
- MANUFACTURED LOGS CONTAINING WAX OR CHEMICAL ADDITIVES,
- RAILROAD TIES AND
- LIQUIDS SUCH AS KEROSENE OR DIESEL FUEL TO START A FIRE.
3.1
Tree Species
The tree species the firewood is produced from is less important than its moisture content. The
main difference in firewood from various tree species is the density of the wood. Hardwoods are
denser than softwoods.
Homeowners with access to both hardwood and softwood use both types for different purposes.
Softer woods make good fuel for mild weather in spring and fall because they light quickly and
produce less heat. Softwoods are not as dense as hardwoods so a given volume of wood
contains less energy. Using softwoods avoids overheating the house, which can be a common
problem with wood heating in moderate weather. Harder woods are best for colder winter
weather when more heat and longer burn cycles are desirable.
Note that hardwood trees like oak, maple, ash and beech are slower growing and longer lived
than softer woods like poplar and birch. That makes hardwood trees more valuable. The advice
that only hardwoods are good to burn is outdated. Old, leaky cast iron inserts wouldn't hold a
fire overnight unless they were fed large pieces of hardwood. That is no longer true.
3.2
Log Length
Logs should be cut at least 1" (25 mm) shorter than the firebox so they fit in easily.
Pieces that are even slightly too long makes loading the insert very difficult. The
most common standard length of firewood is 16" (400 mm).
3.3
Piece Size
Wood should be split to a range of sizes, from about 3" to 6" (75 mm to 150 mm) in cross
section. Having a range of sizes makes starting and rekindling fires much easier.
Installation and Operation Manual - Inspire 2000 Insert
Firewood dries more quickly when it is split. Large
unsplit rounds can take years to dry enough to burn.
Even when dried, unsplit logs are difficult to ignite
because they don't have the sharp edges where the
flames first catch.
Page 13
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