Choosing The Best Firewood For Your Fireplace In Wellington
The Wellington and Kapiti Coast region is known for its beautiful scenery, vibrant culture, and... somewhat unpredictable weather! While summers can be delightful, winter brings cooler temperatures and occasional rain, making a crackling fire in your Wellington or Kapiti home with a woodburner, a true comfort.
But to truly maximise the warmth and enjoyment of your fireplace in Wellington, choosing the perfect firewood is essential. This guide will equip you with the knowledge to navigate the options available and ensure a safe, efficient burn throughout the cooler months.
Choosing the Perfect Firewood for Wellington Winters:
With its cooler temperatures and occasional rain showers, Wellington's climate necessitates firewood that burns efficiently and provides sustained warmth. Here's how to choose the best option for your Wellington fireplace:
Heat Output: Since Wellington winters can be chilly, prioritise firewood with high heat output. Hardwoods like macrocarpa and blue gum are denser and burn hotter for extended periods, keeping your home toasty for longer. While softwoods like pine ignite easily, they burn faster and generate less heat, making them better suited for kindling fires or adding quick bursts of warmth.
Burning Time: Firewood with a long burning time is ideal for those long Wellington evenings. Hardwoods like macrocarpa and red gum (manuka) are perfect for overnight fires, as they burn slowly and steadily, ensuring consistent warmth throughout the night.
Moisture Content: This is crucial for any region, but especially in Wellington's sometimes damp climate. Always opt for well-seasoned firewood with a moisture content below 20%. Wet wood creates excessive smoke, reduces heat output significantly, and can lead to creosote buildup in your chimney, increasing the risk of chimney fires. Look for firewood suppliers who sell properly seasoned wood with a split and cracked appearance, indicating low moisture content.
By following these tips and choosing the right type of firewood, you can transform your Wellington fireplace into a source of warmth, comfort, and ambience throughout the Wellington and Kapiti Coast winter.
Firewood Choices for Toasty Wellington Nights:
Now that you know what to look for, let's explore some excellent firewood options for your "Wellington fireplace" [fireplaces Wellington]:
Macrocarpa: This fast-growing native New Zealand tree provides excellent heat output with a long burning time. It's readily available and a sustainable choice. It's not suited for open fires as macrocarpa tends to spark, but that's not an issue for the style of enclosed wood burners we install.
Douglas Fir: Another good option, Douglas fir offers high heat, long burning time, and low ash content. It's readily available, fast-growing, and eco-friendly, though not native to New Zealand.
Red Gum (Manuka): A native hardwood, manuka burns hot and slow, which is perfect for keeping you warm through the night.
Plantation Pine: This readily available softwood is popular for kindling fires due to its easy ignition. However, it burns quickly and produces less heat than hardwoods.
By following these tips and choosing the right type of firewood, you can transform your fireplace in Wellington into a source of warmth, comfort, and ambience throughout the winter in Wellington and the Kapiti Coast.
Types of Wood to Avoid Burning:
Wet Wood: Never burn wood that hasn't been appropriately seasoned. Damp wood creates excessive smoke, reduces heat output, and can lead to creosote buildup in your chimney, increasing the risk of chimney fires.
Treated Wood: Treated wood often contains chemicals that can release harmful toxins when burned. Avoid burning painted, stained, or pressure-treated wood.
Driftwood: While it might seem tempting to use driftwood from the beach, it can often be wet, salty, and contain contaminants. Burning it can damage your woodburner and pollute the air.
Old Man Pine: This type of pine has a high resin content, which can lead to creosote buildup and chimney fires. Opt for plantation pine instead.
Getting the Most Out of Your Firewood:
Here are some additional tips to ensure you get the most out of your firewood purchase:
Buy firewood by the cubic metre: This is a standard measurement in New Zealand and ensures you're getting a fair amount for your money.
Look for firewood suppliers who sell seasoned wood: Properly seasoned wood will have a split and cracked appearance with minimal moisture content. Seasoned firewood burns cleaner, produces more heat, and is less likely to cause chimney fires.
Store your firewood properly: Keep your firewood stacked neatly in a dry, well-ventilated area, preferably off the ground. This prevents moisture buildup and ensures your firewood stays dry and ready to burn.
Keeping Your Wellington Fireplace Safe and Efficient
A crackling fire is a delight, but it's important to remember that happy chimneys make happy homeowners (and chimney sweeps!). The type of firewood you burn in your Wellington fireplace can significantly impact how often you need a chimney sweep and the overall health of your chimney flue.
Firewood Choice and Creosote Buildup:
The Culprit: Creosote: Burning any wood produces creosote, a sticky, flammable tar that coats the inside of your chimney flue. However, the type of wood you use dramatically affects how much creosote accumulates.
Hardwood vs. Softwood: Hardwoods like macrocarpa and red gum (manuka) burn hotter and cleaner, producing less creosote than softwoods like pine. If you primarily use hardwoods, you'll likely need your chimney swept less frequently.
Moisture Content Matters: Even the best firewood can lead to creosote buildup if it needs to be properly seasoned. Wet wood burns inefficiently, creating more smoke and creosote in the process. Ensure your firewood has a moisture content below 20% for a cleaner burn and less chimney maintenance.
By Choosing the Right Firewood, You Can Help Your Chimney Sweep (and your wallet!)
Reduced Sweep Frequency: Less creosote buildup translates to fewer chimney sweeps needed throughout the season.
Easier Cleaning: A chimney with minimal creosote buildup is easier for a chimney sweep to clean, saving you time and money.
Lower Fire Risk: Excessive creosote buildup is a significant fire hazard. Using the right firewood reduces the risk of a chimney fire, keeping your home and family safe.
Working Together for a Safe and Enjoyable Winter:
Following these tips and opting for high-quality, well-seasoned firewood can significantly reduce creosote buildup and extend the time between chimney sweeps. Remember, a qualified chimney sweep is essential for maintaining a safe and efficient fireplace. Schedule regular inspections and cleanings with our crew at Kapiti Woodfires, and enjoy the warmth and ambience of your Wellington fireplace all winter long.
We service woodburner fireplaces in the Wellington, Kapiti Coast and Horowhenua regions.
Get in touch with us now:
Ph (04)212-5509
Email sales@kapitiwoodfires.co.nz