Cool and crisp autumn nights in Southeastern Wisconsin coupled with holiday parties entice us to light up those outdoor firepits. Just mention the words “fall” and “firepit” and you probably picture toasty gatherings with friends and family around a glowing fire enjoying holiday treats and great conversations. Createscape Landscaping Service wants you to get the most out of your firepit and have the best experience possible. Here are a few tips and reminders when using wood-burning fireplaces.
Choosing the Best Wood to Burn
Seasoned hardwood is by far the best wood to burn in your firepit. Seasoned wood has been dried out for up to a year to remove all moisture. This wood will burn at the highest quality, produce less smoke, and reduce the amount of popping and throwing sparks. Hardwoods, such as oak, are dense and burn slowly and long. Mixed hardwoods found in Wisconsin can consist of a mix of ash, maple, locust, birch, or others, and make a good choice for the firepit.
What Woods Not to Burn in Your Firepit
While all kinds of wood burn, they do not all burn in the same manner. Softwood trees, such as pines, firs, cedar, or cypress, burn fast and produce a lot of smoke. Fast-burning wood means you will go through your firewood supply quickly, and heavy smoke may end the fun for everyone around the firepit. Freshly cut wood, or “green wood,” contains a lot of moisture that will cause heavy smoke, popping, and sparks. A smoke-heavy firepit is unpleasant, can cause breathing difficulty, irritate the eyes, and leave clothes smelling of smoke.
Items to Never Burn in Your Firepit
While many items around your home may have been made of wood, certain things should not be burned. Dangerous items include treated wood, deck lumber, painted or stained wood planks, or shipping palettes. These types of wood have usually been treated with chemicals that can be potentially dangerous and toxic to inhale.
And while a fire may seem like an easy or fun way to dispose of household trash, some items can release toxins or pollutants into the air. Do not burn rubber, old paper, plastics, trash bags, or other garbage. And never throw explosive items such as batteries and aerosol cans into the fire.
Lastly, do not burn any wood covered with vines. Burning poison ivy, poison sumac, or poison oak releases the irritant oil urushiol into the smoke. Breathing it in can cause lung irritation and severe allergic respiratory problems.
Firewood from Createscape Landscaping Service
If you are searching for the best firewood to burn in your southeastern Wisconsin firepit, Createscape Landscaping Service has your supplies ready. We offer oak and seasoned mixed hardwood by the face, half cord, or full cord. Our firewood is ready for pickup or delivery when you place your order with our office.
Createscape Landscaping Service (262) 662-0201 createscapelandscaping.com
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