Choose the Right Firewood in Calgary

Winter is just around the corner, and we’re all looking for ways to stay warm. There are many types of wood out there, such as oak or pine, that will work for most people. But it is good to do some research on which type will work best in your area. The end goal should be to find firewood with low moisture content so it burns longer. These woods also have less smoke and won’t irritate anyone with respiratory problems or allergies.

Also, you may be familiar with the casualties that bad quality firewood causes. It can be the smoke that is irritating your eyes or the unwanted embers flying out. At heart, all firewoods are chemically similar, no matter the species. But when choosing good firewood, there are a few things to consider.

Firewood Types

There are two main things to look for when choosing firewood: moisture content and density. Wood density is directly proportional to the energy output, which means that denser woods provide more heat. Less dense woods leave behind a lot of ash, which is a major turn-off for most people. Woods with less moisture means they are properly seasoned.

Firewood is broadly divided into two main categories: softwood and hardwood. Let’s look at each type in detail.

Softwoods

Softwoods are of many types and come from coniferous trees, which grow fast and straight. These woods are less expensive than hardwood and can ignite quickly to give a clean, smooth fire. Softwoods are used when you want intense heat around your home.

Pine

The common misconception is that pinewood shouldn’t be burnt because it builds up creosote in your chimney. But when the stove doesn’t get hot enough with softwood to burn through the gases, it creates problems while burning. You need to heat the wood stove stovepipe and build up a bed of coals for hardwoods.

White birch and soft maple, if not burned properly, will generate more creosote than pinewood. A hot pine fire will clean your chimney of excess soot and creosote. Doing a hot burn every once in a while is necessary to keep your stovepipe and chimney clean. A quality pinewood is the best option for you when looking for premium softwood.

Cedar

This type of wood is soft, has straight grains, and has an aromatic smell. The best property of this wood is that it can bear extreme weather conditions.

Fir

It has straight wooden grains and a reddish tint. Plus, it is much stronger than other softwoods.

Hardwood

Hardwood is known for its thick density, and it takes a lot of time to grow. Hardwood is expensive because of its sustainability. But for many, the premium is worth it, especially if you are burning indoors or want to avoid excess smoke.

Birch

Birch mostly comes in yellow and white varieties and is easy to work with. This wood is of premium quality. Birch firewood is known for its features like fierce blazing and easy lighting. These qualities make it a perfect option for modern fireplaces. Check out and shop the best birch firewood in Calgary at Ornamental Stone.

Ash

The colour of ashwood ranges from white to pale brown. However, ashwood is not sustainable, hence expensive.

Fruitwood

As the name says, fruitwood includes woods from apple, cherry, pie, and more. These woods smell great and are generally used for cooking or smoking meat.

Firewood in Calgary

Here’s a simple breakdown of what firewood will work best for you:

• If you have a high budget and are looking for a high-quality stress fire, go for hardwood such as birch.
• If you want excitement and the fun of a crackling fire and pops, then softwood like pine and fir would be more suitable.
• Hardwood works best for cooking purposes like barbecue or stuffed chicken.
• For small and less intense heat, softwood generally works best.
• For dense and efficient fire, consider buying hardwood.

You can visit our online store to order your firewood in Calgary. If you are searching for pine or birch firewood, we have a great selection at some of the best prices in town.