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“Social Distancing” Delivery Update

Best Firewood Dump Truck

DELIVERY UPDATE
We’re delivering orders as usual, but…

Our delivery crew will be practicing “social distancing”
by limiting contact with homeowners.

Starting 3/16/20:

    • You will receive a text message update the day prior to delivery.
    • Wood will be stacked in outdoor locations only, or dumped on driveways. If you have stacking instructions, please let us know.
    • Our crew will not ring doorbells.
    • Orders may be paid by credit card online or with the office.
    • If paying by check, please put in an envelope and tape to your door.
    • Any questions, please call the office.

Thank you and stay safe!

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Some Of The Best Types Of Wood To Burn In A Wood Burning Fire Pit

Wood burning fire pits are becoming more and more popular. Don’t fret if you have no idea what the device is. This post is going to explain everything in layman’s terms. Basically, a fire pit is just what it sounds like. It is either a hole dug in the ground or a free-standing/built container where a fire can be created safely. Many times, the latter option is made from metal, stainless steel, or natural stone.

The units are often placed in backyards or on patios for homeowners that like to host outdoor parties and events. Then, on brisk and chilly nights, they can start a fire so that their guests can gather around the flames to stay toasty and warm. After all, if the visitors aren’t comfortable, they will likely leave the gathering earlier than expected, which nobody wants. Therefore, it is important to know the best types of wood to burn in the fire pit to keep your function going for as long as you want.

The Truth Of The Matter Is Just About Any Kind Of Wood Will Do

Providing that a person’s outdoor fire pit is in a well-ventilated area, they can burn all sorts of things. Still, though, that doesn’t mean that they should. For instance, people should avoid burning items including but not limited to…

  • Painted Wood
  • Furniture Arms And Legs
  • Particle Board
  • Laminate Countertops
  • Plastics And Trash

Such pieces can produce thick, billowy smoke and release toxins into the air. As such, your family and guests can breathe in the contagions and fall ill. So, stick to firewood and ensure that everybody remains safe and sound.

Kinds Of Wood Worth Considering

Oak firewood is a great choice for fire pits. It is very, very dense, and burns hot, which means you won’t need to add logs to the fire all night continually. Maple is another excellent option as it burns hot and is long-lasting. However, everything is not all peaches and cream when it comes to this wood. It is extremely robust, and on occasion, challenging to split. So, if a person doesn’t want to be fighting with such difficulties, they may want to scratch maple off their list.

Cherry could prove to be your perfect match, as well. It doesn’t burn quite as hot as the other two mentioned here. Still, though, it will certainly get the job done with its medium heat. Plus, this selection puts a sweet, enticing aroma in the air for everyone to enjoy. Cherry does spark quite a bit, but it does not produce a lot of smoke.

Meanwhile, persons may want to avoid burning pine. This wood contains loads of sap, which means things can get messy in a hurry. Also, the smell may aggravate some of the guests’ allergies. It may be okay to burn a piece of pine here or there, but it is not recommended for use as your primary firewood.

Do you need to stock up on firewood for your fire pit? If so, contact Best Firewood & Mulch today.

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How to Get the Most from Your Woodstove

Wood Stove Tips

Wood Stove Tips

Woodstoves have long been used as a heating source, and it’s easy to see why: wood is an extremely affordable and efficient fuel, and a well-managed woodstove can provide heat to a large area with very little cost. Plus, in some homes, there’s just something so comforting about gathering around a wood fire for warmth.

There’s an art to running a woodstove.  Here are a few tips we like to share with our customers to help them get the most enjoyment from their firewood.

4 Tips for Managing Your Woodstove

1 – Place it near stone

Stone of almost any sort – including brick and concrete as well as natural stonework – is excellent at capturing and radiating heat.  If you keep your woodstove near a stone wall, or better yet in a corner formed by two stone walls, they’ll act like heat reflectors and help spread the warmth around the room.

2 – Don’t try to burn fresh-cut wood

You might be tempted to save even more money by cutting your own wood, if you have a source.  However, trying to burn freshly-chopped wood is a bad idea.  It’s hard to ignite, and even if you succeed, it’ll produce more smoke than heat.

Proper firewood should be seasoned (dried out) for at least 6-12 months.  Therefore, most people today choose to buy firewood from reliable sources.

3 – Pick wood based on the weather

Experienced woodstove owners keep more than one type of firewood around, because the type of wood affects the output.  Lighter woods – like poplar and pine – burn faster and cooler than heavier woods like oak.  In fact, heavy woods can easily over-heat a room, and should be reserved for especially cold days.

4 – Don’t burn the stove 24/7

Yes, lighting a wood fire can be a pain.  However, keeping your woodstove burning unattended around-the-clock can cause more problems.  This can quickly overheat rooms.  Also, if the coals at the bottom are kept smoldering, they’ll produce a lot of smoke.  That is unpleasant by itself, but it can also cause buildup of creosote on everything nearby.

For Safe High-Quality Firewood, You Want Best Firewood! 

For over 35 years, stove-owners in the Chicagoland area have turned to Best Firewood and Mulch for all their firewood needs.  Our wood is safe, pest-free, and fully seasoned for maximum efficiency and enjoyment.  Contact us directly to learn more!

 

Order Firewood Online

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Enjoy Your Fireplace in Safety and Comfort

Fireplace Safety Tips from Best Firewood and Mulch

Fireplace Safety Tips from Best Firewood and Mulch

Few things can compare to relaxing in front of your very own wood-burning fireplace, particularly during these bitterly cold winter months. By the fireplace is the perfect place to be when the wind is blowing and the snow is swirling. However, fireplaces can potentially be dangerous if they aren’t well-maintained.

At Best Firewood & Mulch, we want people throughout Chicago and the surrounding areas to enjoy their fireplaces in safety and comfort. So, we’ve prepared a quick list of the most important safety tips to follow.

4 Vital Fireplace Safety Tips

1. Never use chemical starters

You might be accustomed to using starters like kerosene to start your outdoor grill, and that’s fine for the outdoors. Indoors, these sorts of starters introduce toxic chemicals – potentially harming yourself, your family or your pets.  Likewise, never use painted wood or plywood as a starter, because they’re also full of nasty chemicals you don’t want to burn in your home.
If you need a starter, just use newspaper or pine cones.

2. Always use dry, well-seasoned wood

One of the worst things you can do to a fireplace is burning young wood or wood with greater than 20% moisture content.  When moist wood burns, it causes a chemical called creosote to be created.  Creosote is sticky and extremely flammable.  It can build up on the inside of your chimney, eventually creating a genuine fire risk.

Always get your firewood from a reputable source that ages and seasons it properly.

3. Clean your chimney at least once a year

Even if you’re burning dry seasoned wood, the inside of your chimney will still see buildup. Over time, this can start to choke off the chimney, or even cause smoke to enter your home. Be sure to call in professionals to clean it out. (Fall is usually the best time for this, prior to fireplace season.)

4. Keep branches trimmed and away from the top of your chimney

If you have trees near your home, keep an eye on their branches. If those branches are passing over the top of the chimney, they need to be trimmed back. Otherwise, they could catch fire from the heat coming off your fireplace. This is a particular danger during drier winters.

Get Firewood You Can Trust from Best Firewood & Mulch

Since 1982, Best Firewood & Mulch has been providing locally-sourced, well-aged and seasoned firewood to homes and businesses throughout the Chicago area!  Call us to keep your fireplace happy!

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