I posted a while back while researching quality alternates to cordwood. I found both to be fairly equal and bought HF's for my own reasons. Here are some more of my 'real life' thoughts.
And Folks, these are 'my' real life thoughts.
I bought the HFs mainly because they last longer and are 'truly' controllable. I found the NEIL's burn quicker and when they break (which they will) will go 'out-of-control'.
I have learned the the HF's really need much more air to burn high. For a moderate fire, I break them in half and burn accordingly. Works great. For a really cold night, I'm loading logs and barely keeping up.
Now the NEIL's I've found burning a log at a time is risky to say the least. Once it breaks it goes out of control fast. So breaking them down is certainly the way to go. Great heat and keeps up nicely if done right.
So where that does that put me?
The HF's are my go to log, even though most times I'm burning half at a time. The NEIL's are now my 'cold weather' log, though still I'll break them down to portions at a time. To drop a log for when I go to bed, HFs win. I can trust them.
NEIL's, I've caught myself so many times closing the flue to keep control. HF's, half way for moderate, wide open if really cold.
You confused yet as to which way I lean?
I'm heading out to buy some more NEIL's to supplement the 'real' cold times. The HF's will remain my base log. I can walk away from HF's with no fear of 'run away', yet want the heat the NEIL brings to the game when there to attend.
My Humble Opinion and hope it helps someone out there debating what to buy.
1 Ton HF's
a Few boxes of NEIL's
Ya I have some cordwood around, just not much dry right now..
And Folks, these are 'my' real life thoughts.
I bought the HFs mainly because they last longer and are 'truly' controllable. I found the NEIL's burn quicker and when they break (which they will) will go 'out-of-control'.
I have learned the the HF's really need much more air to burn high. For a moderate fire, I break them in half and burn accordingly. Works great. For a really cold night, I'm loading logs and barely keeping up.
Now the NEIL's I've found burning a log at a time is risky to say the least. Once it breaks it goes out of control fast. So breaking them down is certainly the way to go. Great heat and keeps up nicely if done right.
So where that does that put me?
The HF's are my go to log, even though most times I'm burning half at a time. The NEIL's are now my 'cold weather' log, though still I'll break them down to portions at a time. To drop a log for when I go to bed, HFs win. I can trust them.
NEIL's, I've caught myself so many times closing the flue to keep control. HF's, half way for moderate, wide open if really cold.
You confused yet as to which way I lean?
I'm heading out to buy some more NEIL's to supplement the 'real' cold times. The HF's will remain my base log. I can walk away from HF's with no fear of 'run away', yet want the heat the NEIL brings to the game when there to attend.
My Humble Opinion and hope it helps someone out there debating what to buy.
1 Ton HF's
a Few boxes of NEIL's
Ya I have some cordwood around, just not much dry right now..
