To keep yourself and your room warm, your fire must last. This means there must be embers. And the embers are the result of wood that doesn’t burn too quickly. How do you know if wood is burning slowly? The density of the logs must be observed. The denser they are, the slower they burn and the longer they produce embers;
The densest woods are generally hardwoods, as opposed to softwoods, which burn more quickly. The ideal hardwoods for a fireplace are oak, mountain birch, beech, olive, hornbeam and maple;
The conifers to avoid are linden, walnut, poplar and plane tree. Trees that produce resin, such as fir, pine, cedar and cypress, should also be avoided;
Dry wood
Although the density of the wood affects the quality of the fire, there is another essential element: the wood must be dry. The drier the wood, the more beautiful and efficient the fire will be. Especially since damp wood produces much more smoke, which is not very pleasant. Before purchasing logs, make sure they have been stored in a dry, well-ventilated place. And make sure you store them in a dry place at home, to avoid unpleasant surprises during the winter;
What wood to use to light the fire?
The way you light the fire also affects the quality of the fire itself. Log wood is ideal for this operation, as it burns easily, without clogging the chimney or emitting substances that are dangerous to health. Avoid resinous trees, such as spruce or pine, which burn quickly and produce heat quickly, but are harmful to your fireplace. Treated, varnished, or painted wood should also be avoided, as it emits fumes that can be toxic. This shows that not all types of wood can be used;