Proper fire with firewood is the ideal setting for an outdoor gathering. To really enjoy a backyard fire, you must first choose the correct firewood. It, correctly proportioned and seasoned firewood, can make the experience more pleasurable and easy. You want wood that ignites quickly, burns consistently, and smells well. Firewood must be stored correctly to be dry and ready for your next fire. You may enjoy warm flames for seasons with proper selection and storage. Our guide on choosing, storing, and using firewood for your outside area is here. You’ll know how to construct the ideal fire every time by the end.

Choosing the Best Type of Firewood for Your Needs

Firewood for your outdoor area should be sustainable and ecologically beneficial. The most popular are hardwoods and softwoods.

The kind of firewood depends on the heat and effort needed. Woods burn better but take longer, while softwoods work in a hurry. Either way, choose seasoned wood to maximize your fire. When in doubt, ask your local forestry commission for sustainable, local firewood options. Choosing wood that keeps you warm all night without smoking or harming the environment is crucial.

Proper Storage and Seasoning of Firewood

Firewood must be stored and seasoned properly to burn successfully in a fireplace or fire pit. Freshly cut wood has to “season” before burning since it’s damp. Seasoned wood has less than 20% moisture after 6-12 months of drying. It burned better, lit easier, and produced more heat than damp wood.

Protect the stack’s top. Cover the top of the stack with a weatherproof tarp to protect it from rain and snow while allowing airflow.

Rotate and restack the wood pile periodically 

Transfer wood from the stack’s core to the exterior and back. This airs out more wood surfaces and accelerates seasoning.

Proper storage and management will season your firewood for 6-12 months, making it suitable for a good fire. For a bright, long-lasting fire and comfortable outdoor gatherings, seasoned firewood is worth the wait. Seasoned firewood burns more effectively and reduces air pollution, making it more ecologically friendly.

Building the Proper Fire With Firewood

To build the proper fire with firewood, there are a few key steps to follow:

Selecting the Right Wood

Choose hardwoods such as jarrah, white gum or other hardwood species for burning. These dense woods burn longer and produce good coals for cooking. Softer woods like pine resinous woods burn faster but produce excess creosote, a flammable residue. Seasoned, dry wood burns best – wood that has been cut and dried for 6-12 months. Freshly cut wood is difficult to burn and produces excess smoke.

Stacking and Storing Wood

Stack wood in a covered area, with good airflow and off the ground. Stack wood in a criss-cross pattern to allow air flow. Cover the top of the stack but leave sides open. Keep wood dry – wet or damp wood will be difficult to burn and produce excess smoke.

Building the Fire

Start with tinder such as newspaper, leaves, or wood shavings. Add kindling such as small sticks, twigs or wood splits. Create a pyramid or teepee shape with the tinder and kindling in the center, allowing for airflow. Light the tinder in several places.

Add larger sticks and small logs around the kindling as the fire grows. Make sure each piece is touching another, so the fire can spread evenly. Once you have flames, you can add normal-sized logs.

For cooking or longer fires, choose a few larger logs to use as the main fuel. Bury the ends of logs in the coals so the entire log ignites. Push coals and embers together, with space in the center for airflow. Add a few smaller sticks over the coals to keep the fire going.

Poke or stoke the fire to provide oxygen. Never leave a fire unattended. Extinguish fully before leaving the area. Using proper technique to build the proper fire with firewood will result in an enjoyable experience in your outdoor space.

Safety Tips for its Proper Handling and Burning

When selecting, handling, and burning firewood, it is important to exercise caution to avoid injury or damage. Follow these best practices for safety:

Firewood Preparation

Split logs into smaller, uniform pieces before storing to allow moisture to escape and aid in drying. Stack the split logs in a covered area with good airflow. Seasoned firewood has been dried for 6-12 months.

Fireplace Safety

Never overload your fireplace or wood-burning stove. Add logs gradually to maintain a safe temperature. An overloaded fire risks overheating, reduced airflow, and excess creosote buildup which can lead to chimney fires.

Ventilation Safety

Ensure proper ventilation in any area where wood is being burned. Burning firewood consumes oxygen and produces carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless gas that can be lethal in high concentrations.

Safe Handling

Exercise caution when handling and moving firewood to avoid strains, sprains or other injuries. Large logs and chopped wood can be heavy, bulky, and awkward to maneuver. Use proper form, grip, and leverage when lifting and consider wearing protective gear like work gloves.

Following these recommendations for properly handling, storing and burning wood will help ensure safety, efficiency and the enjoyment of your fireplace or wood-burning stove. Exercise caution, common sense and care for the environment when engaging in this activity.

Where to Buy Quality Firewood for Your Outdoor Space

When selecting firewood for your outdoor space, consider the following factors:

Source

Purchase firewood from a reputable dealer to ensure it is well-seasoned, untreated, and the correct wood type for your needs. Seasoned firewood for fire has been cut and left to dry for 6-12 months before being sold, allowing its moisture content to decrease to around 20% or less. This results in wood that lights easily and burns efficiently. Avoid wood that is still green, as it will be difficult to light and burn.

Size and Shape

Look for split logs cut into quarters, eighths or smaller. Uniformly sized pieces will burn more evenly. Avoid unsplit logs, as they are difficult to light and season. The ideal log diameter for most fireplaces and fire pits is 6 to 8 inches.

Using properly seasoned firewood of the correct size, shape and wood type will result in an enjoyable outdoor experience with a long-lasting, efficient fire. Selecting a reputable local dealer to source high-quality firewood helps support small businesses in your community. With some forethought and patience allowing the wood to dry, you’ll be enjoying the warmth and ambiance of a perfect outdoor fire for years to come.

Conclusion

As you have learned, selecting high-quality firewood that is properly seasoned and stored is essential for an enjoyable experience with your outdoor fireplace or fire pit. Now that you understand the basics of firewood selection and storage, you can source wood that will burn steadily and produce ample heat and ambiance. With the proper techniques for starting and maintaining your fire, you’ll be enjoying the warmth and experience of an outdoor fire for many seasons to come. Take the time to find wood that suits your needs and prepare it well. Your efforts will be rewarded when you are able to sit back, relax, and soak in the atmosphere of your perfect outdoor fire.