A double-sided wood burning stove is an efficient and characterful addition to your home. However, choosing the wrong type of wood with which to fuel your wood burning stove or storing the wood incorrectly can cause problems.

Here’s a guide to help you select and season your wood the right way.

Choosing wood for your double-sided wood burning stove
The first rule of choosing wood to be used for fuelling your double-sided wood burning stove is never to use offcuts of timber that have been treated with any sort of varnish, creosote or paint.

When this type of wood burns, potentially toxic fumes are released that could be harmful to you and your family. Burning paint and creosote also coats your stove’s flue with flammable resins and oils, which could easily cause a chimney fire if ignited by a stray spark.

Green wood and sticks that you gather during country walks should not be used for burning in your double-side wood burning stove. Green wood contains high levels of sap and water. Consequently, it won’t burn easily or with much heat and furthermore, the acidic water it contains will finish up as sticky, flammable residue in your chimney. Don’t worry, green wood is easy to identify. The water content makes it very heavy, and it often smells fresh. When you strike two green logs together, they will make a dull, clunking sound.

When collecting dead wood, look out for branches and sticks that are dry and brittle with a pale coloured interior and no visible green tissue. Seasoned dead wood is lightweight. It produces a hollow, knocking sound when struck, and the bark will easily come away.

Seasoning and storing wood for your double-sided wood burning stove
The best method of seasoning wood is to cut it at least six months before use to allow it plenty of time to dry out. Large logs should be split into quarters to aid the drying process and stored where the sun and wind can get at them to dry them out. This also applies to the firewood you buy from garages and garden centres.

Keep your wood in a weather-proof woodshed, away from the rain. Open-sided sheds are preferable as they allow good air circulation which is essential if the wood is to dry out thoroughly, although you must remember to cover them with a tarpaulin on wet days. Site your woodshed in a sunny spot for maximum drying power during the summer months.