What type of firewood should I be burning?

We all know that winters in Christchurch can be pretty chilly, and there's nothing quite as inviting as the warmth of a crackling fire in your home. It's something you look forward to coming home to, however not all wood is created equal when it comes to fueling your fireplace or wood fire.

Some woods are better than others, and the right (or wrong) choice can have a real effect on the cost, performance, efficiency and safety of your fire. It also will determine how environmentally friendly your fire is, with bad wood choices often producing more smoke. Bad for the environment and your health.  

Why is burning the right type of wood important to the fuctioning of your fireplace? 

Well, firstly the right type of wood burns more efficiently, generating more heat while producing less smoke and ash. Efficiency reduces the strain on your fireplace, chimney, and ventilation system, prolonging their lifespan. Using the right wood also reduces the frequency of which your fireplace will need to be cleaned. Hardwoods, for example, produce less ash and residue compared to softwoods, meaning less residue left in your fireplace and chimey after each use.  

It's also safer to opt for quality firewood. Using less safe woods, such as treated, or green wood, can release harmful chemicals.  

In short, choosing higher quality firewood may require a higher initial investment, but it pays off in the long run by extending the lifespan of your fireplace and reducing the likelihood of expensive repairs or replacements down the line.  

So what are the best options for keeping your home cozy all winter long? 

Let's go through the list:

Plantation Pine

In the hardwood category, Plantation Pine is one of the most common firewoods in New Zealand. It is great for kindling and burns very clearly.  

Macrocarpa

Heavier than pine, Macrocarpa is a hardwood that produces impressive heat and long burn times. One thing to note is that this wood is know to crackle and spark, so it is not suitable for open fireplaces. 

Douglas Fir

Douglas Fir is capable of producing a good amount of heat. As a softwood, it will not perform as well as hardwoods when it comes to the length of time it will burn. Because of its heat-producing ability, it makes a fantastic kindling.  

Blue Gum

This wood is perfect for a long burn. As Blue Gum is a dense hardwood, it will burn hot and slowly. It can take a bit more effort to light compared to soft wood. This is a great firewood option if you are looking for bang for your buck.  

Manuka

One of the heaviest hardwoods, similar to blue gum, this wood burns hot and slow. As a fast growing plant, it can be a good choice environmentally too.  

Willow

Willow is a great choice for kindling, as it burns extremely fast. It's less useful as a main wood source. Use it to get your fire going quickly, and then switch to something slower burning to get the best results.  

What to avoid: 

Old man pine

Old man pine is, like it's name suggests, usually quite old wood, usually from trees around 40-50 years old. It has a thick and heavy bark and tends to smoke a lot. Because of this, it's not a good choice for your main wood source. If you do have any of this wood to use up, the best use is as kindling, to minimise the amount of smoke it produces.  

Treated or painted wood

Don't be tempted to use wood that has been painted or treated, perhaps from an old fence or building. This wood can contain harmful chemicals that can release toxic fumes when burned. This can put you and your household at risk.  

Green wood

Green, or freshly cut wood contains high moisture content. This will lead to inefficient burning and excessive smoke. 

The team at Heating On Time wishes you a warm and safe winter.  

For all your heating needs, be sure to get in touch.  

For more info on our wood fire services, check out the wood fire tab on our website.