Tip 1: Chop up the wood to be burned
The wood dries from the outside in, so large pieces of wood dry very slowly. Something we have to keep in mind is that the more surface area is exposed to the air, the faster the drying process of the wood will be. On the other hand, to promote drying, it is also advisable to stack the wood in such a way that air circulation is allowed.
Tip 2: Only burn wood that has covered its full hauling cycle
The time it takes for a wood to be cut to be used as firewood depends on the type of wood, its thickness and the climate. As a general rule, you have about a year for this process, which will lead to cracks appearing at the ends of the wood, which indicates that the drying is correct and ready for use. One method to check the drying of wood is to hit two pieces and listen to the sound they produce, the drier the wood, the louder the sound they produce. The problems with using green firewood are that it not only provides less energy when burned, it also creates more smoke, and the worst thing is the release of particles that are deposited as creosotes in the wood fireplaces.
Tip 3: Outdoor storage
Once the firewood has been cut and divided, it must be stored outside to dry, for this it must be covered at the top, leaving the sides uncovered to facilitate air circulation. Make sure that the first line is about 15 cm away from the ground. In case of snowfall, it is necessary to cover the firewood with a tarpaulin, in order to protect it.
Tip 4: Store only a small amount indoors
Keeping a large amount of firewood inside the house to dry is counterproductive, as it can release excess moisture into the room. When collecting firewood to take it inside the house, it is necessary to hit the pieces against a hard surface, in order to make the insects that may have hidden in the cracks in the wood come out, and in this way, do not enter the house.
Tip 5: Divide the firewood into pieces between 10 and 15 cm in diameter
Firewood burns better and cleaner the more of its surface is exposed to flames. It is convenient to use small pieces of wood to light the fire and only use the larger ones when you already have a good fire burning.
Tip 6: Check that the fire has enough air supply
The correct air supply ensures a warm and clean fire. Check that the air intake duct is not blocked by dirt or spider webs. A wood stove that burns properly produces more heat, less fumes, and is more efficient.
Tip 7: Don't put a lot of wood to burn at the same time
This produces a reduction in the air supply necessary for proper combustion. It is necessary to feed the fire more frequently, than with more quantity, this will save on fuel, it will keep the wood stove clean for longer.
Source: todochimeneas.com