Firewood Tips: Seasoned Firewood and Proper Storage Log Rack
By David W Miller

Typically any piece of firewood over 8 inches in diameter should be split. Firewood should be split as soon as possible after it is cut. It is much easier to split green wood than seasoned wood. It is best to select a good hard wood verses a soft wood like pine to burn.

Place your firewood rack 20 to 25 feet from your home or any building if possible. Firewood attracts many insects such as ants and termites. Keeping a proper distance from any structures will keep the insects from entering your home. A log rack should be designed to keep your firewood off the ground. When firewood sits on the ground it takes longer to season and it tends to attract mice and snakes looking for a home. Stack your firewood allowing air to circulate around the logs but most of the moisture will be drawn from the cut ends verses the split sides. It is not recommended to cover your firewood during the seasoning, this can trap moisture in and will delay the drying time and could cause mold and fungus to grow. Once your firewood is seasoned cover the top layers during fall rains and winter snow. This will allow you to grab dry wood from the top while air circulates through the rest of your firewood

Seasoned firewood will have checks and cracks and weigh much less than fresh cut firewood. Over 50% of the weight in fresh cut wood is moisture. Seasoning of firewood is important for several reasons. When firewood is burned any excess moisture has to be "cooked" out of the wood. This excess moisture escapes as smoke. If your fireplace doesn't draft very well the smoke could come back into your room. Burning firewood that isn't seasoned uses all the heat from the fire to "cook" out the excess moisture and doesn't produce heat for your home. Seasoned wood will ignite and burn much easier and cause fewer problems with condensation and creosote. Continue Article

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Everything You Need To Know About Firewood Sheds
By Ken Wilssens

Many people love the warmth of an open fire or an inside fireplace, but in order to enjoy this you have to have a place to store your wood. This is where a firewood shed comes into play. To fully enjoy those long evenings on a cold winter night sitting in front of a fireplace, you need a shed that can store enough wood to get you through the winter. You can build your own shed or buy a shed kit. Both of these take very little carpentry skill and you will be paid back in the pride you'll take when the job is done.

First of all you will need to find a plan that is suitable for your needs. There are many easy to follow designs on the market to choose from. Once you have decided what size you want for your shed, you can accomplish the task, with a little help, in a weekend or two.

When you get started, make sure you place your wood shed in a location that will make it easy to fetch the wood. Place it as close to your home as possible. The design of the wood shed should make it possible for you to store a complete winter’s wood. It is always a good idea to add a little extra room when calculating for the amount of wood you will need to store in your shed. You also have to take into consideration that there may be times when you will need a little extra space for wood splitting.

Depending on the climate you live in, you may need to design your shed to allow for air movement inside and to keep the wood dry and free from rot. It is great if you can dry your wood outside during the hot months of summer before you have to store it, but if this is not possible then you will need air flow inside. If the winters are dry, then this may not be a problem.

For lots of helpful information on wood sheds and related topics, visit The Sheds Guide at http://www.theshedsguide.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Wilssens

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Chain Saws
By Thomas Morva

Unlike all other mechanically driven saws, the chain saw is very different, as it is gas operated. It has a two-stroke engine that produces one horsepower for every pound it weighs.

The chain saw can be a very dangerous tool, if you do not know how to use it. Chain saws are very powerful. They make cutting firewood, small trees or fallen trees easier. But many accidents occur as a result of mishandling the chain saw that could have otherwise been prevented.

A majority of accidents result from the misuse of the saw’s moving chain. So when using the tool, you have to be familiar with its parts. Proper practice with the saw is essential to learning how to safely operate it.

Another important rule is never to work alone when working with chain saws. Having someone to assist you ensures safety and protection.

There are different types of chain saws available. Figuring out which one is the right one for you is very easy. It all depends on the extent of use, as well as on how often you intend to use it. Lightweight saws are only good for occasional cutting of limbs, small trees and firewood. If you will use it more frequently, middleweight saws are more appropriate. Heavyweight saws are usually designed for professional use.

Anybody can learn to use chain saws, along with proper safety precautions. If you plan to use a chain saw, do not use one that is too heavy for you to handle. If you are just a beginner, start with a smaller, lightweight saw until you become familiar with the tool. You do not want to get hurt while using a saw, so always be alert and cautious with this potentially dangerous tool.

Saws provides detailed information on Saws, Chain Saws, Band Saws, Table Saws and more. Saws is affiliated with Beach Umbrellas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Morva

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Buying Firewood

The quantities that firewood are sold in can be confusing. The official measurement of firewood is a cord, and that it is usually sold in fractions of cords.

A full cord is 4 feet high by 4 feet wide by 8 feet long, and has a volume of 128 cubic feet.

Tips for buying firewood

• Only buy firewood that is sold in cords or fractions of a cord. If a problem should arise a cord is the legal unit that a seller can be held to.
  
  
• When buying firewood ask for the wood to be cut to burning length, split, and uniformly stacked. This will ensure you get the most firewood for your money.
  
  
• The value of firewood is influenced by your location and the availability, keep this in mind.
  
  
• To save some money be prepared to haul your own wood, otherwise you will have to pay extra for handling and delivery.
  
  

Seasoning Firewood

It is recommended that a consumer season their firewood. Seasoning means letting the stacked firewood sit for an extended time in a place that has air flow, the desire being to help dry the wood out. Wood that has just been cut can consist of as much as 60%-70% water and this makes the wood burn inefficiently. To get the most value for your money it is recommended that the firewood be cut to length and stacked for at least nine months before being burned. This amount of time will allow the 60-70% water content to drop below 20% and that is when the wood can burn well.

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