Galery

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In recent years, trying to stay clear of growing excise duties and prices of heating fuel, many people went back to heating themselves with wood in the winter. Particularly in Northern Greece, where winters are chillier and timber is in abundance, such a solution is much more economical. In order to make savings, however, you must be careful with the quality of the firewood you use.

Combustion qualities by species

The type of wood to use in the fireplace is important for the strength and duration of the fire. Firewood comes from different species: olive, chestnut, beech, oak, pine, etc. Knowledge and experience come in handy when selecting the correct one for a viable, longer lasting and smoke-free fireplace.

Pine

Easy to catch fire and quick to burn out

Pine ignites readily because of its high resin content. It burns faster than other species and therefore is less economical to use, which is why its preferable role is as firelighter. Its retail price is basically the same as that of olive, beech and oak wood.

Beech

Solid, long burning wood

Beech burns longer than pine being harder and heavier, but it is not on a par with oak or olive as regards burning duration. It ignites easily and does not crackle while burning. It is generally not used as a firelighter. It can be cut into smaller pieces to be used in wood stoves.

Oak

No sputtering, calm fire

Oak is many people’s choice. It burns more slowly than most other species. Its refraining from sputtering makes it nice and safe to deal with. Its fire is slow and steady, its burning logs look like molten iron bars. Oak is difficult to ignite and usually needs firelighters.

Olive

The best wood for the fireplace

Olive logs are easy to ignite and produce low, steady flames. Most retailers would recommend olive wood to customers as the best species for a fireplace. Its slow burning process makes it cost-effective. When purchasing it, avoid roots as there might be quite a bit of soil clumped onto them.

Kermes oak

High thermal efficiency

A top quality burning timber, but not so easy to come by, it belongs to the hard wood category, and has a higher thermal efficiency than most other species. It is another slow-burner and fireplace favourite.