The quality of firewood: an important choice!
Whether you burn firewood in a fireplace or stove, it must be of good quality. The quality of wood is measured, among other things, by its density and, above all, its moisture content.
Ideally, and especially during the long winter months, it is best to use hardwoods, such as maple and oak. Because of their high density, they give off more heat and burn longer. Conversely, soft woods like pine and spruce are less dense and burn faster, giving off less heat.
Another element to consider is the humidity of the wood. Although you can use semi-dry wood to heat with your appliance, it will have limited efficiency compared to completely dry wood. Thus, pay attention to the storage conditions of your logs so that they remain dry and that they give off maximum heat.
Finally, watch the length of the logs! A log that is too long will not fit into your appliance as easily. Therefore, we suggest that you choose logs that are at most 1 inch shorter than the combustion chamber of your appliance.
For any additional information, we invite you to contact one of the experts at Boutique Foyer Maçonnex.
The importance of the battery for gas fireplaces
If you own a propane or natural gas fireplace, the following applies to you. We frequently have questions related to fireplace remotes and here is one that comes up quite often. People wonder why when they replace the dead batteries in their remote control, their fireplace still does not work afterwards. The answer to this question is simple, but unfortunately little known.
It is important to change the batteries in the remote control, but it is just as important to change the batteries located in the fireplace receiver. The receiver is located behind the shutters, at the bottom of the fireplace. A red light on the receiver will tell you that the battery is empty.
It is strongly recommended to replace the batteries of the remote control and the fireplace once a year to avoid any starting problems. So the next time your remote is messing around, rather than shaking it, try replacing the batteries in the receiver!
- The Experts at the Boutique Foyer Maçonnex
Too much ash in your wood stove?
Several of our customers ask us this question every week: how often should I remove the ashes from my wood stove? Ashes should be removed regularly for proper cleaning, but the frequency will greatly depend on your usage.
The more you use your stove, the more frequently you will need to remove the ashes. Generally, it is suggested to remove the ash once every 2-3 days when you heat up to maximum. This is best done when your fireplace is relatively cool, but there is still enough draft to suck dust into the interior of the fireplace. This will prevent it from spilling into the room.
What to do with the ashes?
When removing the ash from your stove, be careful as it can stay hot for several days. The ideal is to use an ash scoop to empty them into a metal container with a waterproof cover. Immediately take the container outside and place it away from any flammable material, on a non-combustible floor. After a few days, when the ashes have cooled completely, you can dispose of them and voila!
Source: Valcourt
- The Experts of the Boutique Foyer Maçonnex
