http://firewoodresource.com/faq/is-it-better-to-burn-hardwood-or-softwood/ Firewood Sat, 04 Feb 2012 09:37:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://firewoodresource.com/faq/is-it-better-to-burn-hardwood-or-softwood/comment-page-1/#comment-1072 Gregg Sun, 19 Dec 2010 13:21:05 +0000 http://firewoodresource.com/?p=430#comment-1072 I'd like to add something to this. Generally hardwoods send less creosote u the flue/chimney than softwood does. Creasote is a residue that can build up easily if one burns incorrectly, has a poorly designed flue(which equals poor combustion)or burns wood that has a high quantity of creosote being produced. Creosote build up is a risk for your chimney and ultimatly your home. Please clean or have a qualified person clean the excess creosote out of your chimney or flue. It can build up over the years and ignite-meaning that the fire will now be in your chimney instead of the firebox where it belongs. If you tend to burn softwoods a lot, you might consider cleaning your flue more often to minimise the risk. Personally I only use softwood to start a fire and I don't use too much of it. I prefer to just use a hatchet and split up slender lenghts of hardwood. The density the original author mentioned is correct. If you split hardwood thin to start the fire it will have plenty of surface area to allow good air flow to combust well. Hope this helps-stay warm-but not too warm. I’d like to add something to this. Generally hardwoods send less creosote u the flue/chimney than softwood does.
Creasote is a residue that can build up easily if one burns incorrectly, has a poorly designed flue(which equals poor combustion)or burns wood that has a high quantity of creosote being produced. Creosote build up is a risk for your chimney and ultimatly your home. Please clean or have a qualified person clean the excess creosote out of your chimney or flue. It can build up over the years and ignite-meaning that the fire will now be in your chimney instead of the firebox where it belongs.
If you tend to burn softwoods a lot, you might consider cleaning your flue more often to minimise the risk.
Personally I only use softwood to start a fire and I don’t use too much of it. I prefer to just use a hatchet and split up slender lenghts of hardwood. The density the original author mentioned is correct. If you split hardwood thin to start the fire it will have plenty of surface area to allow good air flow to combust well.
Hope this helps-stay warm-but not too warm.

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