Hearth and Home Technologies BIR50-B owner manual Wood Fuel, Hardwood vs Softwood

M. Wood Fuel

Hardwood vs Softwood

Your fireplace performance depends on the quality of the firewood you use.

•Seasoned wood contains about 8,000 BTUs per pound .

•Hard woods are more dense than soft woods.

•Hard woods contain 60% more BTUs than soft woods.

•Hard woods require more time to season, burn slower and are harder to ignite.

•Soft woods require less time to dry, burn faster and are easier to ignite.

•Start the fire with soft wood to bring the fireplace up to operating temperature and to establish draft.

•Add hard wood for slow, even heat and longer burn time.

Soft woods		Hard woods
•	Douglas Fir	•	Oak
•	Pine	•	Maple
•	Spruce	•	Apple
•	Cedar	•	Birch
•	Poplar
•	Aspen
•	Alder

Moisture

Warning! Risk of Fire!

•Do not burn wet or green wood.

•Wet, unseasoned wood can cause accumulation of creosote.

The majority of the problems fireplace owners experience are caused by trying to burn wet, unseasoned wood.

•Wet, unseasoned wood requires energy to evaporate the water instead of heating your home, and

•Evaporating moisture cools your chimney, accelerating formation of creosote.

Seasoned Wood

•Cut logs to size

•Split to 6 in. (152 mm) or less

•Air dry to a moisture content of around 20%

-Soft wood - about nine months

-Hard wood - about eighteen months

Notice: Seasoning time may vary depending on drying conditions.

Storing Wood

Steps to ensure properly seasoned wood:

•Stack wood to allow air to circulate freely around and through woodpile.

•Elevate wood pile off ground to allow air circulation underneath.

•Smaller pieces of wood dry faster. Any piece over 6 in. (152 mm) in diameter should be split.

•Wood (whole or split) should be stacked so both ends of each peice are exposed to air. More drying occurs through the cut ends than the sides.

•Store wood under cover to prevent water absorbtion from rain or snow. Avoid covering the sides and ends completely.

Warning! Fire Risk! DO NOT store wood:

•in front of the fireplace.

•in space required for loading or ash removal.

Processed Solid Fuel Firelogs

Manufactured firelogs may be used with this fireplace. Hearth & Home Technologies Inc. recommends the use of UL Classified processed fuel firelogs. Follow the manufac- turer’s lighting and safety instructions.

Using firelogs may require more frequent chimney inspec- tion and cleaning.

Do not poke or stir the logs while they are burning. Use only firelogs that have been evaluated for the application in manufactured fireplaces and refer to firelog warnings and caution markings on packaging prior to use.

10 Heatilator • Birmingham BIR50-B • 4059-682C • 8/12