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Firewood Selection & Prep

Chimney sweep wearing a safety harness examines a brick chimney on a house roof, lifting the metal cap and shining a flashlight into the flue, with rust streaks and cracked crown visible.
Schedule annual professional inspections before burning season begins, typically in late summer or early fall. A certified chimney sweep will identify creosote buildup, structural damage, and blockages that compromise both safety and efficiency. Check your flue damper monthly during active use to ensure it opens and closes completely. A stuck or warped damper wastes energy ... Read more
Stacked split firewood elevated on cinder blocks set on edge, visible airflow gaps beneath, cinder block end piers supporting a basic roof frame covered by a taut tarp, photographed at golden hour in a backyard.
Elevate cinder blocks on edge to create airflow channels beneath your firewood stack, allowing moisture to escape from below while keeping wood off the damp ground. Space blocks 16-24 inches apart in parallel rows, creating a sturdy foundation that prevents rot and accelerates seasoning time by up to 30% compared to ground-level storage. Build vertical ... Read more
Backyard firewood stacked in a crisscross pattern on pallets under a roof overhang, with a circular holzhaufen wood tower in the background, gravel base and trees, lit by warm golden-hour sunlight.
Stack firewood in alternating perpendicular rows, known as crisscross stacking, to maximize airflow and prevent moisture buildup that leads to mold and rot. This traditional method creates natural ventilation channels while providing excellent stability for stacks up to six feet tall. Position your woodpile at least five feet from your home’s exterior walls to deter ... Read more
Concept of Splitting Wood with a Wedge
Welcome to our handy guide on how to split wood with a wedge. You might think splitting is time-consuming, but it’s a breeze with the right tools, like a splitting wedge or a second wedge, and proven techniques. It’s more than just swinging a hammer’s handle. We typically split along the existing crack, using a ... Read more
Concept of Splitting Wedge vs Maul Comparison
Welcome to the art of splitting wood! If you’ve ever wanted to turn a wood log into useful pieces, this guide is for you. You’ll learn about different splitting tools, like the axe, maul, and wedge. Each has a unique role in wood splitting. A splitting axe handle has a sharp blade for cutting wood. ... Read more
Concept of Splitting Axe vs Splitting Maul
If you’re new to splitting wood or still wondering about the best way, you’ve often thought about using either a splitting maul or a splitting axe. More quality tools have been available in past decades, making cutting wood much easier. But if you still need to chop wood, you have two options. You can either ... Read more