What's cozier than a winter evening in front of the fireplace? To ensure that it stays comfortable for a long time, you should use high-quality firewood. The calorific value reveals a lot about heat development. Some types of wood are more suitable in this regard, others less so. But what about the robinia? Can the deciduous tree keep up with common types of firewood such as oak and beech?
Is robinia suitable as firewood?
Robinia wood is ideal as firewood because it has a high calorific value of 2,100 kWh per hour and provides a lot of heat. Storage should last about a year and toxic ingredients should be taken into account.
High calorific value
The wood of the robinia is ideal as firewood. With a very high calorific value of 2,100 kWh per hour, it is in no way inferior to popular varieties such as beech and oak. Robinia wood is a hardwood that includes most deciduous plants.
Advantages and disadvantages at a glance
Advantages
- high calorific value
- provides a lot of warmth
- hardly any sparks
- best suited for open fireplaces
- does not need to be stored for a long time
Disadvantages
- Slightly more expensive than softwood (due to the high calorific value and more complex processing)
- does not produce the typical crackling sound of a fireplace
- difficult to ignite
Storage of robinia wood
Robinia wood is very cold-resistant and robust. To use it as firewood, all you need to do is store it for about a year. In contrast to other types of wood, it does not risk rotting as quickly. However, you should stack it in an airy manner to avoid mold formation. You should also prevent moisture from rain or dew. A shelter such as a carport (€265.00 on Amazon) or a self-made roof are recommended for this.
Important note: Robinia wood contains toxic ingredients. Scientists have found that these disappear the longer the wood is stored. In any case, you should store your robinia wood outside in a safe place. Although a basket of firewood next to the fireplace in the living room creates a cozy atmosphere (and is also very convenient for immediate use), pets or small children could eat it. Possible consequences are
Nausea
.- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Vertigo
- or in the case of animals even death
Robinia wood has a special appeal due to its sweet smell. Consider the toxicity if you cut your firewood from your own robinia tree in the garden.
