Generally, hardwood grows slowly in a dry climate. In comparison to softwood, hardwood is dense and has very low moisture content. Many people in winters look for hardwood firewood near them to relish long-duration burning. If never tried, then go for it to enjoy high temperatures in freezing weather.
The hardwood with low moisture content also produces less smoke. Moreover, it doesn’t require much maintenance as no need of adding logs to keep the fire going. The hardwood leaves red hot coals after burnt out. You can keep the red hot coals inside your home to feel the warmth.
Ensure that your indoor fireplace is professionally installed, insulated & properly cleaned. It’s important from the safety point of view as hardwood coal also renders high temperature.
Why Choose Well-Seasoned Bluegum Wood (Hardwood)?
Well-seasoned bluegum wood is remarkable for indoor burning. Due to dense wood, it burns long and produces a great flame. Why well-seasoned bluegum wood? It’s because nobody like smoke and it is injurious to health.
Do you know the wood, which is still green, is fresh and hasn’t got adequate time to dry out? The wet wood will surely produce more smoke once ignited. Every wood takes its own time to dry out properly; some take days, months and even a year. The well-seasoned wood looks faded, grey and dusty. Also creates a hollow sound when two logs are taped together.
Bluegum wood takes 6-9 months to dry completely. If drying in autumn and winter, then you’ll miss the opportunity of warm heat. Look for reliable sources selling bluegumhardwood logs for sale in NSW all season. Better to start with summers to have a snug next winter.
Why Avoid Softwood for Indoor Burning?
Softwood has more moisture than hardwood. Perhaps, this reason makes softwood less dense. However, they ignite faster and burn quickly than hardwood.
Softwood can be used for an indoor fireplace, but it’s hazardous. Why? Softwood contains sap & resin within its grain that create a fire with sizzle and excess smoke.
Due to the presence of moisture, the smoke damages your chimney. Hence, make creosote ( it’s a kind of wood tar that collects in the fireplace). It needs to be removed as it’s dangerous. The toxic gases produced by softwood are really dangerous for humans too.
Which Wood One Should Avoid for a Fireplace?
- Rooikrans – It’s because of the presence of high moisture content. The wood will produce high smoke. You should avoid using it in indoor fireplaces.
- Driftwoods – Many people use the wood for a beachside fire, which looks appealing. The wood contains highly saturated salt and chlorine which releases toxic fumes when ignited.
- Oak & Ivy – Do you know some types of Oak and Ivy are poisonous? As you touch them, it renders painful rashes. They involve some sort of chemicals that produce unfavourable smoke when heated.
- Wood Scraps – Avoid using waste wood from unknown origins that include dangerous elements & chemicals. You’ll inhale toxic gases if burnt indoors.
Special Tips For Next Winter
- Bluegum is one of the reliable hardwoods to use in your indoor fireplace.
- Always store your wood in dry areas (don’t keep it on the ground; otherwise absorb moisture), especially to protect it from rain.
- Cover the wood with plastic or a tarp to avoid unwanted condensation.
- Don’t burn the wood inside your home until the chimney & fireplace are not cleaned properly. Accumulation of creosote can cause a chimney fire.
- Store the wood as much as you require. Extra storage of wood can call unwanted guests like; mice, ants, termites, and much more.
