Putting The Environment First While Enjoying a Winter Fire

Introduction

 

There is no getting away from it – most of us love a fire. For some, every winter evening is spent with the crackle of a comforting fire in the hearth, which means a lot of wood is required. It can be tempting to go out to the local woodland and attempt to collect your own firewood to save some money, but there can be some profound environmental implications.

 

Untreated or unprepared wood is often described as ‘wet wood’. Compared to seasoned and kiln-dried wood with 20% to 30% moisture content, wet wood can be characterised by moisture content of anywhere between 40% up to 60%.

 

As appealing as it might be to go out into the wild and forage for free fire word, the reality of the effects wet wood can have may put a dampener on your plans. Not only does wet wood burn less efficiently, resulting in more wood being needed than if you were burning a kiln-dried option, but there are also many other dangers from burning wet wood which should be considered before choosing it as a fuel source.

 

Dirty Chimney from Burning Wet Wood

 

One of the significant problems with burning wet wood is the additional water vapour that is given off. The water vapour combines with other particles from the wood which is being burnt, creating a sludge that collects in the chimney as the water vapour cools. This resulting residue ends up being brown or black in colour and can be a sticky tar consistency or hard as it dries. As a result, there is a possibility that the chimney will become blocked or the risk that residue will drop back into the fire, causing a chimney fire that can be dangerous.

 

But, apart from the apparent dangers, chimneys that have wet wood burnt in them tend to cost more to upkeep. They require frequent chimney sweeping, and the condensation from wet wood can be corrosive – resulting in costly repairs to chimney liners.

 

Poor Quality Wood Makes a Poor Quality Fire

 

One of the most significant drawbacks to burning wet wood is that the low-quality wood often results in a lower quality fire. Instead of sitting back and enjoying the flickers of flames, you will be having to get up and refill the fire regularly. In addition, there will be less heat output, more smoke, and even more noise from the wet burning wood.

 

It can also be hard to get wet wood lit, and even once you have got it going, it can be a challenge to keep it alight. This is not ideal if you want to heat up by the fire before dinner, go off and eat, and return to a nice warm room. It is more likely the fire would have gone out and emitted unpleasant amounts of smoke.

 

It is best to use high-quality wood to get the most from an open fire or wood-burning stove. Hardwoods are considered the best for hotter, longest burning fires. These woods include ash, birch, oak, maple, and most fruit trees. They are not only better for long-lasting fires but also easier to start.

 

Wet Wood Damaging Stove Glass and Fireplace Grates

 

Buring wet wood in some cases can result in damage to wood-burning stoves or fireplaces. For those with glass-fronted stoves, the dirty residue that is left from the damp wood can cause the glass to blacken. In some severe cases, the glass can even become damaged over time due to the residue that becomes stuck. The residue that remains inside the stove also can cause corrosive damages having an impact on the integrity of the stove safety. In addition, residue can cause dangerous flare-ups.

 

There are just as many issues that can occur for fans of fireplaces. The residue from the wet wood can stick and remain in the chimney and get stuck on the grate. It results in a lot of cleaning and maintenance, which can be avoided if high-quality wood is used instead.

 

Environmental Impacts of Burning Wet Wood

 

The main problem with choosing to burn wet wood is that it can be more damaging to the environment. There are more harmful by-products when damp wood is used as it produces more smoke. These particles pollute the air and can be 3 or 4 times more polluting than dried logs.

 

Dried firewood is more efficient and environmentally friendly to burn. This is because it produces fewer smoke emissions. When selecting wood to burn, it is best to stick to around 20% moisture levels to keep your winter fires as eco friendly as possible.

 

How to Test Moisture in Wood

 

It is considered that firewood with a moisture content between 10% and 20% is best for burning. Wood which is less than 10%, can be seen as a wastage as the wood has a tendency to burn too fast. A little bit of moisture helps moderate the rate at which the wood burns. Logs that have been taken from a newly felled tree can hold moisture of up to 60%. Therefore, these logs should be seasoned to get them ready for burning so that they do not produce a lot of smoke and cause damage to the environment.

 

It is relatively simple to test moisture content in wood. The easiest way is to use a moisture metre. By checking the moisture levels in wood before burning, you can ensure the optimum pieces are being used to warm your home. Moisture metres to be small handheld electrical devices that can accurately test the moisture levels of certain materials.

 

The majority of moisture metres are easy to use. Depending on the metre, the instructions for use can vary, but as a rough guide, the following steps are taken to get a moisture reading:

 

• Turn the moisture meter on by using the power button.

 

• Make sure the moisture meter is on the right setting for the material being tested – in this instance, wood or timber.

 

• If a cover is on the probe pins, remove it before testing.

 

• Press the moisture meter pins against the wood material to get a moisture reading.

 

The Takeaway

 

Even when burning wood around the 20% moisture rate, it will still have some damaging effects on the environment. If you are environmentally aware but would still like to enjoy a warm winter fire, there are some options out there to help offset that sustainability guilt. For example, you could choose to power your home with the help of solar companies to ensure the other fuel source you use is a green option.

 

Whatever you decide to do, it really is worth ensuring the wood you burn is at a safe moisture level and wet wood is left to seasoned until at a responsible wood-burning level. It will ensure your fires are of the best quality, and the fireplaces or stoves will last for a lifetime.