fireplace advice

The fire is one of the most important sites of a home during the winter months. Many homeowners are realizing the benefits of utilizing a fire and some are even using their fireplace instead of their heating unit to heat the home during the colder winter months. But those with a fireplace aren’t always aware of what kind of wood they are burning. Sure, some use a gas fireplace, and the conveniences of those are obvious. Some who are living in more rural areas are even able to cut their own firewood, and they may be wondering what kind of wood is best for burning.

The wood of different trees has a different moisture content, and the moisture content of the wood determines how the wood will burn. One thing that is very important for those with a fireplace to know is, “what kind of wood is best to burn.” When the proper wood is used, it allows the other accessories used for the fireplace like the chimney liner to be the most effective possible.

5 Different Kinds of Wood

Cedar

Cedar splits easily, which means it is a great starter wood for making the fire and makes great kindling. While cedar does burn at a good temperature, it is known to spit and crackle, meaning that it may not be the best choice for an open fireplace. The greatest benefit of cedar, according to many fire lovers, is the unique aroma that can improve the fragrance of any home.

Oak

Oak is a favorite for firewood, and is abundant in North America making it easy to find and also one of the most affordable choices. Oak can be difficult to ignite and get started like most hardwoods, but once it gets started it burns long and at a good temperature.

Birch

Birch is a softwood so it is going to burn faster than hardwoods like the oak. It also has a slight sweet when burnt and that makes it a favorite among many homeowners with a fireplace. There are several species of birch, including yellow, black, and white birch. Black is the most desirable for f

Many homeowners are wondering this winter how to heat a home during the wintertime using their fireplace. It is really an energy-saving option when it can be done efficiently. In a previous post it was discussed what kinds of wood are good for burning, and many areas of North America are plentiful with forested areas that are full of trees. However, it is important to be sure that it is legal to cut down trees in the area.

Whether bought at the local grocery store or chopped down in the local woods, firewood is able to heat a home when the proper methods are used. Even gas fireplaces are able to heat a home when a couple measures are taken to ensure that more heat is staying in the home than is escaping through the chimney.

Ensure the Fire Heats the Home

Install a Chimney Liner

The chimney liners of Fireside Chimney Supplies are able to prevent the creosote that builds up from causing a chimney fire. The best way to ensure that the fireplace is able to continue heating the home is to keep the chimney in good shape. The chimney liner is a great way to improve an aging chimney or one that is in need of repair from corrosive gasses eating away at it. Chimney liners can also prevent so much heat from leaving the house right up the chimney. As it has been discussed before, a chimney liner can increase the heating efficiency of a fireplace anywhere from 10% to 40%!

Use Seasoned Wood

For wood-burning fireplaces, using properly aged and seasoned wood is a great way to ensure the fire gives off a proper amount of heat. Green wood, or wood has not had enough time since it was cut to dry out properly, is going to produce more smoke than heat, and the fire produced will not heat a home as efficiently as drier wood.

Open the Damper

The fireplace of the chimney is located inside the throat of the chimney, just above the fireplace. It is designed to seal the fireplace shut when it is not in use. When the fire is going,

Who doesn’t love sitting by a warm fireplace all bundled up when it’s below freezing outside?  If you’re going to be using your fireplace, chimney, and chimney cover for the first time in your home, you should take a look at these safety precautions before getting toasty by lighting the fire.

Safety Precautions for Your Fireplace and Chimney

Inspection

It’s vital to have a professional take a look at your fireplace on the inside before you begin making fires.  A proper inspector will be on the lookout for birds’ nests, sticks, and other loose remains. The outside chimney cover and chimney liner should also be checked for safety.  If there is any blockage, smoke will back up and clog the airways. 

The Fall weather is fast approaching and the cozy spirit of Autumn is making its way into our homes. There’s nothing better than a change of scenery to invigorate the senses and liven things up a little. If you’re fortunate enough to have a chimney or fireplace in your home, you know how the sounds of a crackling fire can calm your nerves and give you peace of mind, and adding the power of aromatherapy to the fire will only increase the effectiveness. Let’s go over some amazing fragrance bomb recipes to really add a level of comfort to your home.

Fragrance Bomb Recipes

Fall Fruit

Start by drying out a few apples and oranges in your oven. Once dry, add them to a fire to create a savory yet sweet citrus aroma. The scent will fill your house and last for hours.

Simple Cinnamon

Okay, so this one isn’t really a recipe, but simply adding a few cinnamon sticks to your fire will create a very pleasing scent that will be more robust than the old classic cinnamon broom.

Sage Advice

Dried sage wands (the real ones, not from the grocery store) create a really unique scent that is very pleasing. What’s great about sage is that it will eliminate any unwanted odors in your home and leave behind a fresh clean scent. Sage tends to smoke a lot when burned, so don’t use the entire wand; just a few strips will do the trick.

Cedar Woods

For a rustic scent reminiscent of a camping trip or winter cabin, burn some dried cedar branches. For an added bonus, sprinkle a few drops of your favorite essential oil such as lavender or eucalyptus. Cedar also works well as an insect repellant, so this recipe is perfect for an outdoor chiminea.

Any of these recipes will be perfect for a Fall party or get together and will set a mood that will create lasting memories for you and your guests. Now that you have all your chimney supplies, get ready to relish in a stimulating and therapeutic environment. Enjoy! And if you need an

Everyone loves to curl up next to a warm and cozy fire during the winter, but the fire isn’t warm and cozy if you haven’t properly maintained your fireplace. A safe and clean fireplace is a warm and cozy fireplace, bottom line. So, how do you keep up on your fireplace maintenance? Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks for making sure you keep your fireplace and chimney liner in good shape so that when winter hits, you’re all set to throw in some fresh firewood and light it up.<

After winter, when the temperatures begin to rise, you’ll notice you do not have to light as many fires as you did, so there’s really no need to keep your chimney open. While you don’t need to clean your fireplace as soon as that last bit of snow melts, it’s a good idea to add it to your spring cleaning list that you’ve been working on.

Chimneys always seem like a relatively easy concept, right? You put the wood in, make sure the flue is open, and then light the fire. Well, there’s actually a lot more that’s going on that makes it a far more complex concept that deals with the oxidation of carbon, water, draft induced by the change in temperature, and vaporization. All of these elements, if not properly managed, can start a chimney fire.

Whether you have a wood burning stove, furnace, or fireplace, there's no way it can function without a chimney. Your chimney is essentially the engine that drives your wood heating system, the heat being the fuel. The more fuel you give the engine, the more powerful it becomes and when you compare that to how fireplaces work, the more heat, the greater the draft.

Think your fireplace can only be used to heat your home during the winter? Think again, because you can use your fireplace and chimney system to cool your home during the hot summer months as well. Believe it or not (we'd believe it), using your chimney to cool your home is a great way to green up your lifestyle and you'll save a ton on money on your electric bill since you won't need to have your air conditioning on 24/7.