Wood briquettes should not be confused with charcoal or coal briquettes. Wooden briquettes are made from compressed sawdust and wood chips, offering a good burning fuel with a very low moisture content.
Briquettes offer numerous benefits, including:
- Easy to store
- Easy to transport
- Easy to use
- Lights quickly
- Excellent heat output
- Cost effective
- Very little ash
- Very little smoke
Manufacturers use specialist machines to compress the wood, using tonnes of pressure.
Tips to Identifying Good Quality Briquettes
Wooden briquettes are not all made equal, there can be some significant differences. When identifying the quality of the briquettes, see if they crumble easily. Those that crumble easily tend to leave more ash behind once they have burned.
Another important tip is to take a close look at the packaging and ensure it covers all the briquettes in the box or packaging. Wet briquettes tend to break down and are not suitable for burning. On the packaging should be a list of materials used, briquettes should be made from one hundred percent wood.
Ensure when making your selection that the briquettes you choose are not made using any additives, such as paraffin and other accelerates.
How Do I Use Briquettes in a Log Burner?
Briquettes work beautifully in log burners. Add the briquettes, using the smaller pieces as kindling. You can use the larger briquettes when you want a longer burn. They offer outstanding heat output, effective in warming your home.
As with any quality woods, the denser the briquettes, the longer they take to burn. These are high energy products, often denser than traditional woods, meaning that they burn consistently and for longer, thanks to their very low moisture content. While they may not burn as hot as coal, they are environmentally friendly and sustainable.
You will find wood briquettes are also a more affordable option to use in your log burner. You use less to stay warm than if you were using other products. They provide a pleasing flame and can be mixed with heat logs, if you wish.
How Do I Store Wood Briquettes to Use in My Log Burner?
The wood briquettes you purchase are exceptionally dry and will absorb moisture. It is important that your briquettes are stored in a dry area. If you have to store them in an outside shed, for example, ensure you have them placed on a pallet or wooden beams, allowing plenty of air flow, while reducing the risk of moisture being absorbed from the bottom of the packaging.
In Conclusion
When it comes to purchasing fuel for your log burner, you may be worried about what you can and cannot use to heat your home. Briquettes made of wood have proven themselves to be excellent sources of heat, offering easy lighting, a high heat output, while offering minimal smoke and ash. They are preferred, as they require very little cleaning up after a night of your wood burner working to heat your home.
Briquettes offer many benefits, in addition to being low in moisture, and long burning. They are easy to handle and transport, they store well in a dry space, and they provide a lovely flame, giving you the feel of a crackling fireplace on a cold winters night.
They also provide excellent value for money. By burning for longer, you require less briquettes to warm your home and maintain the heat.