ProSweep Devon is a family-owned, professional chimney sweep service based in Bovey Tracey Devon. We are dedicated to providing best-in-class chimney sweep services at competitive prices. As Devon Trading Standards Buy With Confidence Approved Chimney Sweep, we are committed to keeping your family and home safe by following recognized standards of safety and quality. We proudly serve Newton Abbot, Torquay, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Bovey Tracey, Lustleigh, Chagford, and surrounding areas. We believe that an important part of being a chimney professional is giving our customers all the information they need in helping them make the right choices in burning safely . This includes the importance of good quality dry firewood of optimal dryness will give you superior burning experience.
However, whilst all firewood species, if dried to below 20% moisture content, will burn well, it is important to note that they all have different characteristics that affect how your fire is managed. Some species are really easy to light, and establishing the fire is really simple, but others require a little more effort to get the fire going. However, once established, it will provide a longer-lasting fire.
Here, we take you through our main species, how to identify them in your delivery, and therefore how to manage your fire.
Ash;The King of Firewood: Ash is popular for those seeking an easy-to-manage fire with a calorific value of 19 MJ/kg. It burns well but a little faster than the denser woods and has a characteristic white flesh colour on the split side.
Pros:Quick-lighting: Easy to ignite, ideal for easier fire lighting.
Bright flames: Produces a cheerful and visually appealing fire.
Good for smaller fires: Suitable for smaller fires or when a shorter burn time is desired.
Cons:Burns slightly quicker than oak, beech and hornbeam.
Oak;The Long burn firewood: Oak reigns supreme due to its exceptional calorific value (around 18 to 20 MJ/kg.) and long burn times. It produces a steady, intense heat, making it perfect for those long winter evenings.
Pros:High heat output: Provides sustained warmth for extended periods.
Long burn time: Burns slowly and steadily, minimising the need for frequent replenishment.
Pleasant aroma: Releases a subtle, pleasant fragrance as it burns.
Cons: Can be difficult to light: Oak’s high density can make initial ignition challenging.
Tip: To successfully start a fire with oak logs, begin with smaller logs to establish a solid base before adding a larger log. This step is essential for an effective and long-lasting fire. Always maintain a good hot base for the fire; otherwise, if you let it die down too far, the next log will struggle to burn. You will likely need the stove vents open longer to get this hot base.
Beech:The Steady Burner: Beech performs similarly to oak, providing a calorific value of 17-19 MJ/kg and a long burn time. It produces a gentle, even heat with a bright flame. It’s also a good choice for cooking over an open fire as it has low-spitting tendencies.
Pros:Even heat: Provides consistent warmth without intense bursts.
Long burn time: Beech is a dense firewood that will burn for a long time.
Bright flames: Creates a visually appealing fire.
Good for cooking: Its steady heat makes it suitable for cooking over an open fire.
Cons:Can be difficult to light: Beech wood’s density can make initial lighting challenging; however, as long as you’re using Ready to Burn approved logs, there should be no issue starting a fire with smaller beech logs.
Tip . Always maintain a good hot base to the fire, otherwise, if you let it die down too far, the next log will struggle to burn. You are likely to need the stove vents open for longer to get this hot base.
Hornbeam:The Ironwood: Hornbeam is incredibly dense, earning it the nickname “ironwood.” It boasts an exceptionally high calorific value (around 20-22 MJ/kg) and burns incredibly slowly, providing extremely long burn times.
Pros:Extremely high heat output: Provides intense and long-lasting heat.
Long-lasting: Burns for an extended period, minimising the need for frequent replenishment.
Dense and durable: Ideal for long-term storage.
Cons: Difficult to light:Hornbeam is extremely dense, making it one of the most challenging woods to ignite.
Tip: – It is vital to use smaller logs to start the fire, or if you have a less dense wood such as ash, light the fire with this, build the base, then add the hornbeam, but ensure a good hot base to the fire at all times. You are likely to need the stove vents open for longer to get this hot base.
Silver Birch:Silver Birch, while classified as a hardwood, offers a slightly different burning profile. With a calorific value typically ranging from 15 to 17 MJ/kg, it provides a good level of heat output, but it burns 20-25% faster than denser hardwoods like oak, beech and hornbeam, requiring more frequent replenishment.
Pros: Easy to light: Very simple to light a fire, providing good, quick heat.
Attractive wood: The bark is characteristically white/silver in colour and easily peels off in flakes.
Cons: Faster burn time: Requires more frequent replenishment than denser hardwoods; therefore, you need 20-25% more wood for the same heat.
May produce more smoke: Can produce slightly more smoke than some denser hardwoods.