Yes, ash is good for firewood. in fact, ash trees are one of the most popular types of wood to burn because they produce a lot of heat, they’re long-lasting, and they make a beautiful flame.
you’ll know when it’s time to replace your ash logs because you’ll see that the pile is beginning to shrink. plus, ashes from your fireplace will also indicate when it’s time for new logs by providing a mix of light grey ashes with some black ones.
Contents
Why Ash is Good for Firewood?
1. Long-Lasting
The longer your firewood burns, the better it is for you because all the firewood will last longer, which lowers your heating and cooling expenses. If you have a long-burning fire, then all your wood will last longer so that you can save money on your heating and cooling bills.
2. Heat
Ash logs are very heavy, which means that they burn hot and your fireplace will not require as much heat to keep the fire going. This also means that you can use less wood for a long time without worrying about it being all consumed by the fire, which saves money on propane, landfill waste and heating costs.
3. Beautiful Flame
Ash logs will produce a beautiful flame and will give off more heat than most other types of logs, which makes them good firewood.
4. Easy to Maintain
Ash logs will not be as hard to maintain as other logs, which means that you will be able to keep your firewood in top shape while saving money because it will last longer.
If your firewood is made of something like pine and gets mouldy, then you won’t be able to use it because it simply becomes unsalvageable. This is not the case with firewood that is made with ash, though, because it will last longer.
5. Versatility
Ash logs are especially good for traditional open fireplaces that have a large firebox because they will continue to burn for hours on end. You can also use them in wood stoves and pellet stoves to get a lot of heat in a short amount of time.
Firewood Tips on Ash
- If you want to use your ash to make charcoal, try to find some with a straight grain, as this makes it easier to split. You may also be able to find special “quick-burning” types of ash that have been specifically selected for their high heat output. Keep in mind that the sapwood of black ashes is not very good for burning, and you may need to cut around it.
- Don’t cut ash logs too small. They’re not designed for being split, so you’ll end up wasting a lot of time and effort. Also, keep in mind that it’s okay to stack branches that are smaller than 2 inches square across the top of one another – this will make it easier to stack the logs away when they’re ready.
- Don’t burn your leftover ashes. Even though the following tips on ash firewood emphasize that you should be careful with the wood, it’s just too good not to use up. if you can, burn your ashes inside a chimney – this tells your house that you were burning ashes, and it makes a nice statement. If you’re going to burn ashes out of doors, don’t do it in winter – they’ll freeze and be too brittle to handle.
- Don’t ever store ash logs in the water, which will cause them to rot. It’s best to stack them on some sort of a pallet or deck that is at least 6 inches off the ground.
- Store your ash logs in a dry place, but not inside – the wood needs to breathe. if you have extra room outside, consider renting one of those self-storage sheds for your firewood needs.
- Remember that ash logs won’t stay good forever (unlike oak, which ages beautifully). The sooner you use them after cutting, the better they’ll burn.
- To get a fast start when you’re looking for firewood for sale, try searching for “fireplace wood” in your area (or anywhere within driving distance).
- Commercial wood is highly graded, dried and kiln-dried to make it easy to burn and easier to use. This can result in a lot of debris (dust) being generated during the splitting process. When splitting logs with a maul/ wedge or axe, wear goggles to prevent any serious damage to your eyes.
- Split the firewood in advance so it won’t be a mess when you’re ready to burn it. Make sure you have enough splits to last for a couple of days and stack them neatly near your fireplace.
- When splitting logs with a maul/wedge or axe, wear goggles to prevent any serious damage to your eyes (especially if you’re using ash).
- Ash is not hard to split – it has a straight grain and is less dense than many other types of wood. So if you need to split large pieces, try using a sledgehammer or splitting maul rather than an axe.
- Ash wood burns with a good fire, but that flame does consume oxygen so you should use plenty of kindling before lighting your logs. The wood burns hot and fast and will burn better if cut into smaller pieces.
Conclusion
When you’re out looking for firewood, it helps to know what types of wood are available. Knowing the difference between ash, hickory and oak can help you make plans so that you get the most out of your money.
Make sure you learn all you can about other types of wood too. With some knowledge and work, you can save yourself loads of money.
Hi, my name’s Eugene Duke and I love sitting by my fireplace reading a book and sipping on an adult beverage. Do you have a fireplace in your house? I’ll help you figure out the best type and style of fireplace for your home.
