When you first think of firewood, almond wood may not come to mind. But almond wood actually makes good firewood. Almond firewood is prized among those enthusiasts that know of its true burning power. Because almond wood is such a good wood to burn, they may not ever tell you about it; choosing to keep its strength a secret.
In this article, I'll uncover all of almond firewood's true potential. Keep reading to find out about its capacity to heat your home all night, how to store it properly so it doesn't rot, and much more.
What is almond firewood good for
Almond firewood is a good source of fuel that can be efficiently used for heating homes and cooking. Almond firewood produces heat quickly and doesn't need to be dried as much as some other types of hardwoods. Additionally, almond firewood is not messy or smoky like other types of wood, which makes it the perfect wood to burn in your home.
How to select the best almond firewood
Almond firewood is not commonly found in all areas of the world. It only grows in select locations that can support its growing needs. It's also fairly good for the environment because it burns fairly cleanly. However, when selecting almond firewood you need to make sure that you get dry enough logs that are small enough for your fire.
Almond trees only grow to about 30 feet with a trunk no larger than 12 inches. This means you won't get a lot of large pieces of firewood from one almond tree. The good news is that you don't really need big pieces of almond firewood to create a nice, hot fire.
Almond wood is heavy. Selecting smaller pieces will make it easier for you to transport and move around your property. Also, look for pieces that are not overly dry or rotten.
Why should you use almond firewood as your fuel source
Some of the qualities that make almond firewood a good fuel source are that it burns hot and clean. Almond wood is easy to mill, doesn't produce too much ash and sparks, and it burns very well and for a long time.
What almond trees are typically used for
Almond trees can be used as firewood. If they are not, they can be used as ornamental trees and produce almonds you can eat. They are also used to make almond butter which is quite popular.
General maintenance tips for using almond firewood
Almond firewood is a very popular option for many homeowners since it offers the same benefits as other hardwoods. They are also considered to be environmentally friendly. However, almond firewood will still need some general maintenance in order to produce good quality heat. The following are some general tips for using almond wood:
- When setting up an almond firewood stack at your house, make sure that it is placed in a location where air can circulate.
- Do not completely cover the almond wood with plastic or any other material that will trap moisture. This can cause mold growth which can be very bad for your health
- If you are storing almond wood for long periods, make sure to leave gaps between the logs. This is very important because air has to circulate in order for the wood to dry properly.
- Make sure that you are burning almond wood with other kinds of firewood. This will make your use of the almond firewood wood more efficient.
- Always use a screen in your fireplace when burning almond wood. Although almond wood doesn't produce many sparks. There could still be some sparks. This will prevent sparks from flying out of the chimney or into your house.
- Keep your masonry or metal fireplace clean. You can do this with special tools for cleaning fireplaces or you can buy some specialty products designed to clean these surfaces.
Tips on how to store almond firewood properly
Allowing it to dry in the open air for at least 6 months. When you feel comfortable that it has dried out enough, stack neatly or place it in containers to store. Do not store wet wood because mold will grow on it and make it unusable.
Do not stack your almond wood too high as this can inhibit airflow and promote mold growth.
If you have a cover over your almond firewood pile, make sure the wood is not touching it and has full airflow and ability to dry. Keep away from animals or insects that might burrow in the pile.
Buy smaller pieces of almond firewood so it will be easier to manage and use throughout winter. Also, you can split larger pieces into smaller ones when stacking them. If you stack several small pieces together, it will be easier to find the wood you need.
Build a base of bricks or stones for the firewood pile to prevent rodents from burrowing in the pile, if possible. If not possible, make sure your wood is off the ground. Wood should be at least 1 foot from the ground.
Safety precautions when using almond firewood
Burning almond logs, like any other wood, poses a risk of starting fires. It is crucial to keep an eye on the almond logs as they burn. Embers can be tossed off and start spreading about; these should be extinguished immediately. The smoke from the burning logs may also cause unpleasant side effects such as coughing or sore throat if inhaled.
Is almond wood hardwood or softwood
Almond wood is hardwood. Almond is very dense. It burns long, slow, and hot. One cord of almond wood weighs about 7000 lbs when it is green. It only weighs about 4400 lbs when it is dry.
Almond wood is very hard. Almond has a hardness rating of 1700 pounds force on the Janka hardness scale.
Almond firewood BTUs
Almond wood produces 32.5 million BTUs per cord. Because almond burns so slow and hot, it can heat your home all night long. Almond also produces nice coals.
Splitting and seasoning almond firewood
Almond wood can be difficult to split. Like other dense fruit wood, almond is easier to split when it is a little dry.
Chopping almond wood can be difficult due to how tough the logs are, but that's one reason why they're so great for fires.
Splitting almond wood becomes easier once you get the hang of it. You can use a firewood splitting ax or maul to cut through the logs without too much trouble. If you're inexperienced then don't attempt to do it by hand.
Chopping the almond wood down and preparing it is only part of the process. You'll also want to make sure that they're dry enough for burning. Many homeowners don't think about how dry their logs are until they've used them, but wet firewood can be difficult or even impossible to light.
Dry almond wood for at least 6 months before burning it. This will give the wood ample time to dry enough to burn without smoldering. Almond firewood will benefit most from drying for 12 months.
Ideally, your firewood should have a moisture content of less than 20% if it's to burn efficiently. It should also be stored in a dry place. This usually requires using kiln-dried or seasoned wood that's been cut down during the winter months when everything is cold and dry. Firewood suppliers offer both pre-cut and uncut almond firewood in a range of different sizes, so you can always find what you need.
In addition to being dry, the logs should be small enough for them to start burning quickly. If they're too large, it'll take forever for them to catch fire.
Burning almond firewood
Almond wood burns extremely hot. This makes almond firewood a good choice to use in very cold weather. A nice fire made from almond wood will keep you warm through the night.
If you are looking for less heat, you should mix almond wood with other firewood that doesn't burn as hot.
A cord of almond wood is akin to burning 250 gallons of oil.
Does almond firewood make sparks
As long as almond wood is seasoned properly it won't make many sparks.
How much does almond firewood cost
This question is a little tricky. The cost of almond wood varies depending on where you live and the quality of almond wood you are buying.
If you live near almond groves or where almond trees grow well, you will be able to get almond cheap. For those that don't live near almond trees, you will have to pay a premium to get good almond firewood.
When buying almond firewood in remote locations, you will only be able to get it in small quantity pricing. This means you will pay the equivalent of $1000 or more per cord. This is not necessarily bad if you are only looking for a small amount of wood. A small box will run you $10 to $20.
Is almond firewood good to burn in a fireplace, fire pit, stove, or campfire
Almond wood is best suited for a fireplace or stove. This is because of its slow burn time. Burning it in a fire pit or campfire is okay. You just have to remember that it will burn for a long time. Being that almond firewood is a little on the expensive side, you don't want to have to waste good wood because you have to put the fire out early.
How does almond firewood smell when it is burned
Not all woods smell like the fruit they produce. This is not the case with almond wood. Almond firewood smells a lot like the nuts that grow on the tree. The smell is very nice and inviting.
Does almond firewood smoke
Almond wood doesn't smoke much. The dryer almond firewood is, the less it will smoke.
Is almond good firewood summary
As you can see from this article, almond is good firewood. Almond firewood offers some great benefits. It burns clean and hot. The major drawbacks are it can be a little expensive if you don't live near almond groves. It also can take some time to get it started.
