The flue pipe color blossomed to a radiant bright orange. As it turns out, I had made a whole series of bad decisions that contributed to our chimney fire experience. I am thankful we lived to learn from these mistakes and hope the information and references in this article can help you avoid an experience like mine. Using firewood safely and successfully requires attention to the selection, curing, and proper burning of the fuel. If you plan to use firewood next winter, you need to begin now with the steps of selecting, harvesting, and curing your wood.
Hardwoods make better firewood than do soft woods.
They produce more heat energy per pound of wood, burn longer, and produce less smoke and soot. The most desirable Iowa species for firewood include ash, birch, hard maple, hickory, pecan, and oak. Second choices include cherry, soft maple, and walnut. These woods produce high amounts of heat energy, are relatively easy to split and ignite, and produce few sparks. Of course, other wood species will work, but their properties make them less desirable as a fuel wood source.