How To Store Kiln Dried Firewood

How to store kiln dried logs

Kiln Dried Firewood burns better and more efficiently than unseasoned giving you more heat and less mess. That’s why kiln dried logs are often favoured by those that have wood burning stoves and open fires. The lower the moisture content of firewood, the better it burns. Our kiln dried wood is guaranteed to have a maximum moisture content of 20%. Because of this they are less likely to take on additional moisture in storage than unseasoned wood, but you still need to keep them dry and sheltered for best results.

Here’s how to store kiln dried logs to ensure they stay in the best condition for burning in your open fire or woodburner.

Store in a garage or shed.

A sheltered place, such as a garage or barn, makes an ideal place to store your kiln dried wood. However, you’ll still need to follow the guidelines below to ensure the logs have enough airflow. If you do need to store logs outside, make sure they’re kept under shelter and that the air can reach them.

Protect your logs from rain.

If you are storing your logs outside, keep them protected from moisture in the form of rain and snow. You could do this with a tarpaulin cover or a timber log store but you need to ensure they are never sealed or covered completely, as air flow is essential.

Increase air flow

To encourage air flow around your logs, use a raised log store or a pallet to keep your logs away from moist ground. Don’t stack them up against a wall or place them on grass, as air won’t be able to flow and the logs can become damp.

Store kiln dried logs inside before burning

For best results bring your kiln dried wood indoors for a short time before you burn it, this helps to reduce the moisture content even more. You can simply create a log pile inside or store them in a log basket or even get inventive with your storing to compliment the home.

Buy smaller quantities

If storage space is an issue, then it may be worth buying smaller quantities more often. Although this may cost slightly more, the wood will burn better if it contains less moisture so you’ll get more warmth for your money. We offer an ideal load in our city sack from just €60.

 

Book Stove Chimney Cleaning from nobother.ie

How To Clean A Stove

Cleaning a Matt Black Stove

You only need to use a dry cloth on your matt black  stove to remove any dust or dirt. Do not use any water on the matt black finish as this will cause it to rust.

You can refresh a matt black stove with a fresh paint finish, either by brushing on tinned paint or by spraying on an aerosol paint; both available from Topline stores. Here is a brief step-by-step guide to painting your matt black stove. Please also follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions.

1. Prepare
Brush down the cast iron using a grade one steel wool, ensuring that an even coat remains on the surface. Then dust the area.

2. Apply Paint
Apply the paint evenly over the surface. Two to three coats may be required depending on the condition of the original paint. Do not paint on thick coats and always allow the paint to dry thoroughly between coats. Allow the final coat to dry overnight.

When firing the stove for the first time since painting, open a window as the paint will give off a smell during this first use.

Cleaning a Vitreous Enamel Stove

The high gloss vitreous enamel finish on your stove is tough and hardwearing but should be treated with care. Here are some tips to help you keep it in the best condition:

  • Cleaning must be carried out when the stove is cool.
  • Regularly wipe the stove with a damp, soapy cloth, followed by a polish with a clean and dry duster. For stubborn deposits, carefully use a non-abrasive, soapy pad.
  • Only use products that are recommended by the stove manufacturer. Most stove companies sell their own brand of approved enamel cleaner. Always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions on the cleaning product.
  • Do not use abrasive pads or oven cleaners containing citric acid on enamelled surfaces

CLEANING THE GLASS OF YOUR STOVES

Typically the glass will clean itself when there is sufficient heat generated by burning fuel. If a build-up of creosote occurs on the glass it may be due to draft conditions, poor quality fuel or very low burning for a long time. Only clean glass when stove is thoroughly cooled.

 

To clean the glass inner surface, use hot water and a soapy cloth.  For stubborn stains use hot water and fine (grade zero) steel wool.

SOME HANDY TIPS TO KEEP YOUR STOVE LASTING LONGER

Do not burn fuel with high moisture content, such as a damp peat or unseasoned timber. This will only result in a build up of tar in the stove and in the chimney.

Burning soft fuels such as timber and peat can stain the glass. Regular cleaning will prevent permanent staining.

Do not burn rubbish/household plastic.

Clean the flue ways of the stove every month and ensure there no blockages. Please refer to your manual for instructions as they vary from stove to stove.

Clean the chimney at least twice a year.

Before loading fresh fuel into the firebox, riddle fully to remove all ashes this

will allow better and cleaner burning.

Never allow a build up of ashes in the ash pan, as this will cause the grate to burn out prematurely.

Allow adequate air ventilation to ensure plenty of air for combustion.

Why you need to stop burning coal.

Mining and burning coal for fuel is harmful to the environment; but, because coal is so abundant and cheap, many people are reluctant to give it up as a fuel source. Here is why you need to stop today!!!

 

  • Burning coal releases toxins. Coal contains sulfur and other elements, including dangerous metals such as mercury, lead, and arsenic, that escape into the air when coal is burned. Burning coal also produces particulates that increase air pollution and health dangers.
  • Burning coal emits large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Coal is composed almost entirely of carbon, so burning coal unleashes large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. These emissions have been shown to increase the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere and lead to global warming.
  • Subsurface coal mining is dangerous. Coal is often mined in subsurface mines, which may collapse and trap miners. And the air in subsurface coal mines leads to black lung disease, where coal particles and pollutants fill the lungs and cause inflammation and respiratory illness.
  • Surface coal mining damages the environment. Mountaintop removal mining is used to access layers of coal buried deep within mountains. This mining technique alters the landscape and damages ecosystems.
  • Integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC):IGCC technology converts coal into gas, removing sulfur and metals. This gas generates electricity by fueling turbines while the side products (sulfur and metals) are concentrated and sold. IGCC plants are cleaner and more efficient than coal-burning electric plants and have the potential to capture CO2 emissions in the future.
  • Carbon sequestration:One of the biggest problems with burning coal is the amount of CO2 it adds to the atmosphere. Carbon sequestration includes various ways to capture and store carbon underground instead of allowing it to fill the atmosphere. Currently, some coal-burning plants store carbon in underground abandoned mines or in oil wells. Other plants pump the carbon into sedimentary rocks or below the ocean floor.

Switch to Kiln Dried Firewood today call Eamon on 0861777151 to order.

Need a chimney sweep in Galway?

If you have an open fireplace in Galway City and County, it’s very important that you get regular chimney cleaning service in order to prevent fires and improve your indoor air quality.

Any home that is equipped with a stove, open fireplace or range will need to have regular chimney sweep services completed in order to make sure that build up within the chimney does not cause a risk for fire. As debris begins to build up within the chimney this can often lead to an extensive amount of smoke or the chance that a fire could begin as a result of the buildup within the chimney area.

If your chimney is not properly secured or capped from threats there’s also a chance that you could experience birds living within the area of your chimney. Through the assistance of a professional chimney sweep, you can make sure that any type of birds nest can be removed from your chimney in Galway City and County and that the chimney can be properly secured to prevent the chance for birds nesting in the future.

Our company can be hired for regular chimney cleaning services throughout the year as preventative maintenance. Scheduled maintenance is available for commercial clients or residential clients throughout Galway City and County. We are also available for one-time appointments with chimney cleaning service or animal removal services within the area.

If you need a reliable chimney cleaning service within Galway City and County please contact our staff today and we can schedule a service visit for your needs. We can make the process of getting reliable chimney cleaning easier than ever before. Don’t settle for an unsafe fireplace, work with our company today for the best in chimney sweeping.