Lopi’s Cape Cod Wood Stove has a wood burn rate of up to 12 hours!
There is nothing that compares to snuggling up in front of a crackling fire at night. Especially when it is cold outside. In fact some people love to sit in front of a fire and enjoy time with friends or curl up with a good book during the summer months too. The type of wood used in a fireplace can make all of the difference when it comes to an enjoyable time in front of the fire. While the wrong type of wood can leave a huge mess, smell bad and not burn properly.
Hard woods
The harder the wood, the more energy per cord given. Hard woods that are great for fireplaces include ironwood, rock elm, hickory, oak, sugar maple, beech and ash. Because these woods offer a higher energy per cord they are the best woods to burn during the winter months. This is because they will burn hotter and offer the most heat to keep a home warm during the cold winter months.
Soft woods
Soft woods do not offer as much energy per cord and are best when used in the spring and summer months. They do not burn at higher temperatures and will not overheat a house when used during the warmer months of the year. Soft woods include balsam, spruce, basswood, pine, poplar and hemlock.
Size
It is important to purchase firewood that fits the space available in the fireplace. Logs too small will not offer enough heat while logs too big will burn unevenly. Logs that are evenly split will offer an even heat and burn more efficiently. Ideally wood that will be burned in a traditional sized fireplace should be 14 to 18 inches long.
Dryness
In order to properly burn, wood should be dry. To check this, look at the ends of the wood for cracks in the grain and the color should be grey or yellow when dry. Also, when banging two pieces of dry wood together it will make a hollow sound. Another way to test is by purchasing a firewood moisture meter from Energy Savers located near St. Paul, Minnesota.
Ordering
Do not order wood by phone. Go to the location and inspect all of the wood. Energy Savers currently carries firewood bundles and we do have resources available if you are needing cord sized quantities. Additionally, those with wood burning fireplaces in the St. Paul area should take time to speak with the salesperson in their local store to find out which type of wood is best for their style of fireplace.