There’s nothing quite like a warm, cozy fire on a chilly winter night in Alabama. Building the perfect fire starts with selecting the right logs. With so many options available, it can be confusing to determine which logs will burn best in your fireplace. As chimney experts, Batt’s Chimney Services i here to help you make the right choice to ensure safe, efficient fires all season long.
Seasoned vs Unseasoned Wood: One of the most important factors in selecting fireplace logs is moisture content. Freshly cut or “unseasoned” wood contains a high amount of water trapped inside. As this water heats up, it will turn to steam instead of producing flames. This results in hissing, reduced heat output, and excessive smoke entering your chimney and home.
Seasoned wood, on the other hand, is wood that has been allowed to dry out properly over an extended period of time (ideally 6-12 months). With little residual moisture, seasoned logs ignite and burn easily and efficiently with less smoking. Look for seasoned wood that has been split and stacked in a dry place to allow airflow between the pieces.
Hardwood vs Softwood: In addition to seasoning, you’ll want to choose between hardwood and softwood species. Hardwoods like oak, maple, ash, and beech are extremely dense woods that burn hotter and longer than softer woods. They also produce a shorter ash stem with less smoke when seasoned properly.
Softwoods such as pine, fir, and cedar burn very quickly and can cause excessive sparking and popping. While they may seem like an economical option, softwoods require more maintenance as you’ll need to frequently add more logs to keep your fire going. The increased resin content also leads to excessive creosote buildup in your chimney over time.
For the best, longest burns with reduced chimney buildup, we recommend using seasoned hardwood logs like oak or maple as your primary fuel source.
Log Size and Shape: The physical size and shape of your logs makes a big difference in fire building and overall performance. Smaller logs no more than 6 inches in diameter tend to light more easily than thick logs. Larger logs over 8 inches may struggle to light and fully burn through to the center.
When building fires, you’ll want a mixture of log sizes. Smaller pieces allow plenty of airflow for the fire to catch, while larger logs provide longer lasting burn times once the fire is established. Irregularly shaped logs with branches and curves can also increase air circulation around your fire.
Moisture Meters and Visual Inspection: When purchasing fireplace logs, there are a few ways to evaluate their seasoned state. A quality log supplier should be able to provide you with the moisture readings of their inventory using a wood moisture meter. Well-seasoned logs for fires should register between 10-20% moisture content.
You can also perform your own visual inspection before purchasing. Seasoned logs should have darkened ends with visible cracks in the wood grain. They will feel light in weight compared to green wood and make a hollow knocking sound when two pieces are struck together. The bark should also be easy to peel or deformed.
A Few Additional Tips: In addition to log selection, a few other tips can help you build safe, long-burning fires:
- Use a combination of log sizes including smaller kindling to help the fire catch quickly
- Allow sufficient space between logs for optimal airflow
- Consider using commercial fire starters or fatwood to easily light your kindling
- Keep the area around your fireplace and chimney free of flammable materials
- Have your chimney professionally inspected and swept annually to remove built-up creosote
No matter which logs you choose, the team at Batt’s Chimney Services is here to ensure your fireplaces and chimneys operate safely and efficiently all year long. Contact us at (256) 660-1338 or fill out our online form today to schedule your next chimney sweep or inspection!
