Nothing beats a warm, crackling fire, especially during winter when the cold snap hits. Whether it’s a wood-burning stove, open fire or chimenia, a roaring fire is the perfect addition to a family home this season.

The practicality and cost of creating a fire can often cause some hassle, so the team at Firemizer have listed some top tips with the help of gardening and outdoor tool brand McCulloch on how to create the ultimate firewood and build the perfect fire:

WHEN SHOULD I CUT FIREWOOD? 

It’s best to cut firewood when trees are mostly bare, which tends to be late winter and early spring. Splitting the wood becomes a lot easier once the wood has been seasoned (see below) and has had time to properly dry. The time taken to produce the perfect firewood depends on the type of wood…

CAN I USE ANY TYPE OF WOOD? 

Yes, however the density of the wood will depend on the length of time it takes to season. Hard woods such as oak take longer to dry and season but provide a longer-lasting fire. Softer woods such as pine are easier and quicker to take through the process but burn faster meaning you’ll need more wood. 

HOW SHOULD I CUT FIREWOOD?

When it comes to using your chainsaw to cut the wood, ensure you’re fully kitted out with all the relevant safety equipment. As a minimum, you should wear a pair of chainsaw shoes, trousers, gloves and helmet. You’ll also need a saw horse to ensure the wood is held in place and is secure before you start to cut. Try and get the ends of the logs as flat and square as possible, so when it comes to splitting the wood it will stand more sturdily and make the task a little easier.

Of course, the size you cut your firewood to is all dependent on what you’re using it for but the smaller the pieces the quicker it’ll season and be ready for use. The McCulloch range of Petrol Powered Chainsaws are all about getting the job done safely and quickly – leaving you more time to sit back and reap the benefits of your handiwork. All McCulloch saws have strong engines, are lightweight and packed with additional innovative features. 

In the case of Petrol Powered Chainsaws, the innovation of the OxyPower system provides extra engine power without the excessive emissions or extra fuel consumption. Alternatively, a Battery Powered Chainsaw, which uses Li-Ion batteries, will ensure optimum performance for the duration of the job because they keep tools working at peak performance right up to going flat. This type of saw is not only quieter than Petrol Powered Chainsaws but they require less maintenance. There are no spark plugs or starter cords to contend with – once they’re charged they are ready to go!

WHAT IS SPLITTING AND HOW DO I DO IT?

‘Splitting’ is simply chopping your wood logs along the grain to reduce their density and make the wood easier to burn. 

You’ll need a splitting axe to do this. Use a cutting block (this could be the trunk or a tree or a large, heavy flat piece of wood) and place the wood on top. Begin splitting, and make sure you take extra care to use two hands a good distance apart avoiding ricochets.

HOW DO I SEASON FIREWOOD? 

This is the part when you need some serious patience… this can take anything from six months to two years depending on the type of wood, so it’s always a good idea to create a bit of a system season-by-season, so you’re never without a supply. 

It’s best to allow the wood to dry outside naturally. Airflow is key, so make sure there’s a continuous flow of air around the logs, and keep them off the ground and away from walls. Cover the top of the wood with a waterproof sheet so any rain can run off without soaking it, but keep the ends of the stack open to allow air to circulate and moisture to escape.

HOW DO I STORE FIREWOOD?

Don’t worry; you don’t have to have a log store! A utility or cloakroom is ideal, or you can simply invest in a container or basket to pile the logs in and store by the fire for easy access. 

Now you have the firewood, it’s time to make the fire… 

HOW TO BUILD AND LIGHT THE PERFECT FIRE: 

Firemizer is a unique solid fuel saving device that can help to create the perfect fire and has been scientifically proven to reduce the burn rate of fuel, meaning you can stay cosy for longer and use less wood. It reduces fuel usage by up to 38% and emissions by up to 72%, helping you save money on your overall heating bills whilst reducing your carbon footprint. With the ability to be used on an open fire, wood burning stove, fire pit and coal BBQ, one Firemizer grid is just £19.99 and will typically last up to 500 burning hours. This is equivalent to six weeks if used for 12 hours per day, making for a significant cost saving. 

Follow these five simple steps to achieve the perfect fire:

1. Place a Firemizer, cut to size, on the grate
2. Put one Firebuilder (a device which acts as a firelighter and kindling in one!) flat on top of the Firemizer (easily snaps into two for smaller grates or stoves)
3. Light under the edge of the Firebuilder
4. Allow the Firebuilder to ignite through it’s unique draught technology and wait for the flames to become established
5. Add fuel then just sit back and enjoy a beautiful fire every time

Need further hints or tips? Visit https://www.firemizer.com or email the Firemizer team on ukenquiries@microtexproducts.com

For more information on McCulloch stockists, and the product range, visit: www.mcculloch.com/uk/