First wood fire of the winter

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
08/12/2009 17:40

Today Salih dropped off the wood, mostly olive with some almond as well. Lit my first fire about an hour ago and it's giving off as much heat as an ant farting..but the good news is that it hasn't gone out. Maybe the olive wood is a bit damp but it doesn't feel like it. Maybe it doesn't burn well. Got the Longs Johns on anyway! Quite trendy ones actually..think I'll have a night out in them one evening!

StGeorgeI


Joined: 27/08/2009
Posts: 973

Message Posted:
08/12/2009 17:47

We got 3 ton for 300 tl about a month ago and it all burns really well. Nice and dry... I have to say that the new log burner gives off much more heat than the old open fire did!!

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
08/12/2009 18:16

Must be doing something wrong this end...maybe a few lumps of coal would help. Nearly out now.

NCWeddings


Joined: 06/08/2009
Posts: 135

Message Posted:
08/12/2009 18:54

My friend puts coal on her fire, with logs, and they reckon it is really hot. I've not tried it yet, but they swear by it! Think she said about half a dozen pieces under the logs.

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
08/12/2009 19:14

It's up and running but took a packet of fire lighters..will improve my technique..

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
08/12/2009 19:24

NCWeddings Msg 4 whereabouts does your friend get the coal from? I looked all over last winter but coudn't find any.



Maggie

paddywack


Joined: 04/05/2009
Posts: 959

Message Posted:
08/12/2009 19:47

Logs have to be seasoned, you should be buying now to use next year,we have an AGA wood burner,so wet logs are`nt any good when you are trying to cook a roast.

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
08/12/2009 20:20

Oh..like hung meat then..saw mine being cut down the other week (excuse the pun). Burning OK now..at least the lizard is happy putting its feet against the grate.

orangekazzie



Joined: 31/07/2007
Posts: 1091

Message Posted:
08/12/2009 20:26

Have to agree with Paddywack. We have bought this year for next as they need to season for at least 12 months. No good burning this years logs as they are too wet and will cause glass on woodburner to discolour.

Karen

paddywack


Joined: 04/05/2009
Posts: 959

Message Posted:
08/12/2009 20:48

We don`nt use wood just to keep warm,we use it for cooking,central heating and hot water.

mugged


Joined: 27/03/2009
Posts: 83

Message Posted:
08/12/2009 22:02

Just a tip when burning logs only ( cast iron log burners ) let the ash build up without poking it , leave the ash tray to get full as wood likes a bed of ashes , only empty the ash tray when its full to the brim , I empty the ash twice a week in the UK

NCWeddings


Joined: 06/08/2009
Posts: 135

Message Posted:
09/12/2009 10:51

Morning Maggie and Bernie, i'm not sure where she got the coal, but I've asked her to ask her husband, so i will get back on and tell you once I have more info!

Mugged, really, it's better to leave the tray to get full? We've been emptying it every day. There you go, learn something new every day! Thank you.

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
09/12/2009 14:06

I too have been emptying the ashes every day - will leave it to twice a week now and see if that helps!

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
09/12/2009 14:20

I only have this years and once they fired up they were brill..very slow burning olive and almond wood. Open fireplave at mine and the heat was slow to build but once it got hold it did the job. Better to watch than the TV too.

stellasstar1



Joined: 02/07/2008
Posts: 1519

Message Posted:
09/12/2009 16:02

I have just got a wood burning stove, the brown round sort, and lit it for the first time yesterday. I couldn't believe the heat it thew off, but unfortunately have a sinus headache today, so hope it wasn't the stove. I have got last years wood that I bought about 3 months ago, and it burns easily. I didn't know about the ash, so cleaned it all out this morning and laid it for tonight. I'll try leaving the ash in then for a few days. Stella

elkiton



Joined: 15/03/2009
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
09/12/2009 16:12

hi there, my suggestion for the open fireplace, after trying to burn unseasoned timber is this......break up a few old pallets for pine kindling, and to split a few carob logs, the ones with the golden heart wood into what I call "second stage" kindling, about 2 cm square. The will dry in a week even in the present level of sun. Once they are alight then use 1/4 carob logs, and when going well this will be hot enough to dry out and burn olive logs even when uneasoned and damp. I keep a selection of all sizes and this "progressive" way of lighting from pine / carob / olive has not let me down yet. Last year I split 50% of my total logs into 4 or 5 segments with a wedge and sledgehammer, at these sizes you can get a very hot blaze quickly, hot enough to light even the densest of big old olive logs without waiting hours for the fire to build up heat.

Also, with 3 days ash in the grate I can often light the fire without matches around 3 pm the following day

tonye

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
09/12/2009 17:41

Sounds good Tonye..only took half a packet of firelighters to get tonights blaze going. Next one; maybe just a few cubes of firelighters..there's an art to making a good fire. Wood fires rock compared to coal.