Cheshire Logs

What is seasoning?

The process of reducing moisture content to a suitable level to produce optimum performance and heat from your logs. Usually 25% and under is considered the industry standard.We test our logs consistently for moisture content. Often people will talk of looking for the the colour of logs, the noise created by banging two Logs together or whether the Logs are cracking at the ends to determine the moisture content, this is all speculative there is only one accurate way of finding the moisture of logs and this is by using an electronic moisture meter.

Can I stack my logs outside?

Yes, you can. It is best to stack the logs by hand covering the top of them to allow air to blow threw for optimum drying.The picture below demonstrates one of our many cheshire storage sites.

What size are your logs?

The logs we sell are 6-10 inches.

How fast can you deliver?

We can usualy get deliveries out in 24hrs, we work 6 days a week mon-sat .

How much wood will I burn?

Burning dry wood in an efficient stove or boiler can be a very cost efficient form of fuel,our average customer usualy burns 1 or 2 truck loads per season,this is working on the basis of lighting your fire 3/4 nights a week from mid october until mid march.

Why is my fire smoking?

Smoke is a product of unburnt particles of fuel,this is caused by incomplete combustion due to the wood not burning efficiently. smoke can be reduced by using well maintained correctly setup appliances and burning logs at 25% moisture and below.

How should I burn my wood?

Like most fuels,wood needs plenty of air to burn well,it is best to feed your fire slowly,burn small hot fires and ensure that the air inlet is open wide enough for the fire to burn briskly,this should also help to reduce smoke production.

Chimneys

Even effiecient stoves and boilers,burning good quality seasoned logs will produce some unburnt particles,particularly when slumbering or damped down.If these gases cool down in the chimney,they will condense and form tar deposits,creating a fire risk and blocking air flow.This can be prevented by using an insulated flue so the gases remain hot until they reach the atmosphere.Chimneys should be cleaned atleast once a year in order to prevent chimney firesand carbon monoxide poisoning.As with burning any fuel for heat,logs can produce carbon monoxide if the flue or chimney is blocked,equipment is faulty or there is lack of ventalation.

Hardwood vs Softwood

The most common question people ask, Hardwoods are very dense and they have more BTUS (heat) per volume as compared to softwoods.Hardwoods can be harder to light but will burn for slightly longer.Most hardwoods burn well but ash,beech,oak birch and sycamore are considered the best.Softwoods are less dense and tend to burn quicker although the difference is often greatly exagerated in the favour of Hardwoods infact some softwoods will burn hotter than hardwoods.

How do I light my fire?

Roll some sheets of newspapers into knots,place them in a pile in your wood burning stove or multi fuel stove belly.Place some kindling sticks in the stove,fire lighters can be used optionaly with the kindling.Set light to the pile,once this has taken and the wood warms add some more kindling and one or two logs,again wait until this has taken and add several more logs.It is important at this stage to give the fire enough air so space should be left inbetween each log,at this stage the bottom vents should be left open once well lit add logs to suit temperature and adjust or close the bottom vents.When the fire is mature,half open the top vents to take advantage of airwash.Make sure when you open these you dont release smoke.With a fire in a wood burning stove you are aiming for glow not flame.Flame is for open fires..