Wood Burner : How big a difference is there between burning softwood & hardwood logs

maisoldman

As per my title. How much quicker do softwood logs burn ? I know it may depend on the type of tree however I am just looking for a general feel.

The reason I ask, I just burned through a ton ( roughly 2 cube / builders bags ) of dried hardwood which cost me £120 in about 7 weeks. I have the option twice that for £150.

Also if anyone has any good contacts for sourcing seasoned hardwood in the Glasgow area, please let me know.

Thanks in advance.

Cardew

Not as simple a question as it seems.

There is a not large difference in the calorific vaue of wood if you consider the weight, but there is if you consider it by the volume.

A ton of soft wood has roughly the same calorific value as a ton of hard wood.

However a ton of soft wood would take up a far greater space than a ton of hard wood. To take an extreme example, envisage a ton of Balsa wood and the space this would take take up, and compare it to a ton of teak wood.

This is why wood should really be sold by the cubic volume and not by weight. in the USA it is sold by the cord(4 ft x 4ft x 8ft). So you buy a cord of soft wood or a cord of hard wood.

Another reason not to buy wood by the weight is that freshly cut(unseasoned) wood weighs far more than seasoned wood because of the high moisture content.

Canucklehead

Good morning: take a look at this excellent (Canadian;)) website for useful advice on all things 'wood as a fuel' related.

HTH

Canucklehead

Grz.26

Going off on a slight tangent, can you rest wood next to the wood burner. Does it matter if its touching the burner?

maisoldman

Canucklehead - Thanks . Thats was a useful read.

Grz.26 - I dont think is the wisest move to have your wood touching your stove as you wont get the benifit of the heat from the stove.

AGBAGB

Very rough answer, Hard wood will last 2-4 time longer.

I stack the both sides of the stove but not touching. It drys the logs a bit more if they are warmed and in dryer air for a couple of days before burning. It make a difference for us.

make_life_easier

I have load of wood in the shed it's been there all year now - would you consider this as seasoned wood?

A._Badger

make_life_easier wrote: »

I have load of wood in the shed it's been there all year now - would you consider this as seasoned wood?

Two questions. Do you know what kind of wood it is and had the air been able to get at it?

Swipe

Try some, if it sizzles it's not ready yet.

choille

I use a mix of both - soft wood gets the heat up. I don't however have to pay for mine.
Maybe you should be raiding skips for some wood.

make_life_easier

Its a mixture of oak, ash, silver birch and pine I have collected it when I have been with the rangers in work when tidying up in the woodlands