Table 1, provides an average of 20 to 25

Table 1, provides an average of 20 to 25 . percent more useable heat. Softwoods, such as pines, spruces, cedars and firs have a high resin content which can cause heavy creosote buildup. These woods should be avoided when possible except for kindling or perhaps, an occasional aromatic fuel. Do not bum green wood since it also can create creosote problems. Green wood is easily spotted; it is heavier and looks different from the seasoned material. Seasoned wood usually has cracks radiating outward from the center forward to the bark while green wood normally has no crack pattern.

Chimney fires are usually started by roaring blazes which send a mass of burning materials up the flue. Burning of paper, twigs or other light material may also trigger a chimney fire. If, in spite of good housekeeping and precautionary measures, you should have a chimney fires, call the fire department! In such cases, an airtight stove is an advantage since the fire/may be controlled by closing the damper on the stove to reduce oxygen supply. In order for this to work, the damper must be solid and stove pipe connections must be tight. A sound chimney with no other stove pipe connections is also needed in this case, which is one reason why one stove connection per flue is wise. The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) recommends that, while awaiting arrival of fire fighters, a chimney fire may be controlled by dumping large quantities of rock salt or baking soda into the fire chamber of the stove. Do not put water in a woodbuming stove or into the chimney itself because of the hazard of steam explosion, or the possibility of cracking the stove firebox or chimney flueliner.