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Even though we’re in the warmer part of the year, it’s always good to think about the wood you’ll need for your fireplace or wood burning stove this winter. After all, wood needs to “cure” for a season to burn at its most efficient. There are many different types of wood in the Louisville, Colorado area, and not all are created equally. Here’s what you need to know about the best types of wood to use for your stove or fireplace.

Dry Wood

First things first, it’s counterproductive to try and use wet wood for burning. It’s just not going to work out. And “wet” doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s damp but instead could mean that the wood simply has too much moisture content. The fresher the wood is, the more water it contains, which is why wood must be “seasoned” and left to dry out for six months to a year before burning.

Even though we are in the middle of summer, it’s never a bad time to consider your firewood needs for the following winter. As you’re probably aware, Colorado gets some serious winters

Hardwood vs. Softwood

Firewood is generally broken down into two main categories: hardwood and softwood. Softwood refers to wood sourced from conifers that keep their leaves year round. Hardwood refers to deciduous trees that drop their leaves. There can be variety in the heat output and wood density, but in general, softwood is easy to procure in Colorado and is easy to light.

So What’s Best?

There are many different wood types that each have their own benefits. Oak, for example, is a hardwood that burns for a long period of time, while pinon is a softwood that has a high heat output and very dense wood. Usually employing a mix of hardwoods and softwoods will create the best burn.

Contact Hi-Tech Appliance to speak to a wood fireplace sales expert. We specialize in both sales and service, so give us a call for all of your wood stove and wood-burning fireplace needs!

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