Monday 6 October 2008

Wood

The quest to find the ultimate combination of materials to incinerate to ensure a constant supply of heat continues apace. The logs sold by the farmers here are largely unseasoned pine which I have learned is very prone to the creation of creosote in the flue. This can build up and will eventually catch fire with undoubtedly disastrous effects. Being the lazy man that I am I have resolved to avoid the pine in a bid to avoid both fires and regular, grizzly chimney cleaning antics.

Since this discovery I have been working my way through the various types of British countryside, setting fire with glee to as many different varieties of the Earth's lungs as possible. When we want to cook we have to get it up to temperature as quickly as possible and compressed sawdust fire blocks are perfect, but they are expensive at about £7 for 10kg. They are easy to light and form very hot embers but they do burn a bit quickly for use all the time.

Having cooked we tend to move onto sturdier logs that burn less ferociously but last a lot longer. Oak logs are very good but I cannot imagine that they are too sustainable as the trees grow pretty slowly. There are various bags of miscellaneous hardwood logs available in the garages and hardware stores of the world and all seem to be quite long burning but we have to be careful not to buy logs that are too long. A brief experiment proved that it takes a while and a not inconsiderable amount of sawdust to split a log across the grain.

I have found a bulk source of fire bricks but would require space to store them and I do not really think I can do it. I am investigating the cheapest local source and have found out about a local sawmill that makes them and is likely to much cheaper than a forecourt. I shall investigate when I get time. The farm shop over the road sells good sized bags of appropriately cut hardwood at 5 bags for £15 which is excellent value, though we will have to be a bit organised to ensure we do not run out. Our supply lines are assured.

4 comments:

Hayden Davis said...

I hear beech is good also. It's the one which smells real good to. Found this also.

http://des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/factsheets/ard/documents/ard-36.pdf

Take care peeps. Have to come and see you again soon.

Hayden Davis said...

Dude. Scratch that. You seen this??? http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/03/philips_smokele.php

Torminalis said...

Sometimes the tent can get a little smoke in it when the stove belches in the wind but I am hoping that the reasonably effective stack effect of the chimney will prevent any serious respiratory conditions.

I shall keep you posted.

When you coming to visit man? We can split wood and jump in the river!

Anonymous said...

Ash is a pretty good wood if you can get hold of some, as it doesn't need seasoning and will burn straight after cutting.

 
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