I have been saving and just purchased my first Wood Stove. It's a fireplace insert - the Enviro Boston Model. Needless to say I'm very excited about switching from oil as my primary source of fuel for heat to wood. The stove is going to be installed on Tuesday.
Question 1 - Connecticut was hit with a very bad storm a few weeks ago and there is a tremendous amount of free cut up wood all over the place. I have been loading up my truck when I see wood that 'looks' good. However, I really don't know what I'm doing. If the wood is already cut and there are no leaves for identification is there some other way to know what I'm picking up? My primary concern is not picking up Pine. Is there an easy way I can tell the difference between Pine and other woods like Oak after the tree has been cut and there are no branches or leaves to help with identification? Any wood I collect this year I would hope to use next season. I realize that I need to use seasoned wood this year and have a Cord on order from a reputable business. (Note: So far all of the wood I have picked up splits very easily with a Maul - but I'm not sure if this indicates 'hard wood' or 'soft wood'.
Question 2 - Is it safe to burn Bio Bricks in a Wood Stove Insert. The owners manual on the Enviro says to only burn natural wood but I'm not sure if they are really trying to discourage people from burning odd ball stuff or if there is some reason that these Bio Bricks shouldn't be used in a wood stove insert.
Thanks for your help.
Tom
Question 1 - Connecticut was hit with a very bad storm a few weeks ago and there is a tremendous amount of free cut up wood all over the place. I have been loading up my truck when I see wood that 'looks' good. However, I really don't know what I'm doing. If the wood is already cut and there are no leaves for identification is there some other way to know what I'm picking up? My primary concern is not picking up Pine. Is there an easy way I can tell the difference between Pine and other woods like Oak after the tree has been cut and there are no branches or leaves to help with identification? Any wood I collect this year I would hope to use next season. I realize that I need to use seasoned wood this year and have a Cord on order from a reputable business. (Note: So far all of the wood I have picked up splits very easily with a Maul - but I'm not sure if this indicates 'hard wood' or 'soft wood'.
Question 2 - Is it safe to burn Bio Bricks in a Wood Stove Insert. The owners manual on the Enviro says to only burn natural wood but I'm not sure if they are really trying to discourage people from burning odd ball stuff or if there is some reason that these Bio Bricks shouldn't be used in a wood stove insert.
Thanks for your help.
Tom