StandInTheFire
Sheriff of Mad Woman Gulch
- Local time
- 2:08 PM
- User ID
- 2755
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2017
- Messages
- 18
- Reaction score
- 67
- Location
- Black Hills of SD
I spent many of my working years in the lowland hardwoods generally found east of the mountainous portions of this country. If I had a nickel for every person who told me that pine species are useless as firewood and will inevitably burn down your house from some catastrophic chimney fire, I would be completely retired by now.
I am very curious as to other peoples' experiences regarding this misinformation and the locales from which such folks hail. I understand that when one lives among a bunch of fine hardwoods, the pine tends to get chipped or burned in an outdoor fire circle. I have lived that reality myself.
In my own (completely unscientific!) extensive field studies, I've found that insufficiently cured hardwoods leave a much heavier layer of creosote in solid fuel chimneys than any SPF species do. That has seemed to hold true without regards to the particular wood burning appliance in use or the specifics of the chimney system install.
I just experienced a fairly demanding winter as far as heating load goes, with many days bottoming out in the -30 degree F range. I have no gas available whatsoever, and the only other option (?) I have is electric resistance heating. Somehow or other, I managed not to freeze to death AND this horribly crappy mobile home is (unfortunately) still standing without even a scorch mark. This was accomplished burning Ponderosa Pine for the long duration.
The most chimney maintenance that has been required involves simply knocking loose any deposits on the cap/spark arrestor screen. In fact, the required chimney brushing that I always did in hardwood country isn't even necessary for me now. Go figure!
I am very curious as to other peoples' experiences regarding this misinformation and the locales from which such folks hail. I understand that when one lives among a bunch of fine hardwoods, the pine tends to get chipped or burned in an outdoor fire circle. I have lived that reality myself.
In my own (completely unscientific!) extensive field studies, I've found that insufficiently cured hardwoods leave a much heavier layer of creosote in solid fuel chimneys than any SPF species do. That has seemed to hold true without regards to the particular wood burning appliance in use or the specifics of the chimney system install.
I just experienced a fairly demanding winter as far as heating load goes, with many days bottoming out in the -30 degree F range. I have no gas available whatsoever, and the only other option (?) I have is electric resistance heating. Somehow or other, I managed not to freeze to death AND this horribly crappy mobile home is (unfortunately) still standing without even a scorch mark. This was accomplished burning Ponderosa Pine for the long duration.
The most chimney maintenance that has been required involves simply knocking loose any deposits on the cap/spark arrestor screen. In fact, the required chimney brushing that I always did in hardwood country isn't even necessary for me now. Go figure!