Firewood
Firewood consists of dried pieces of wood that are utilized as fuel to generate thermal energy. This energy is essential for various household purposes, including heating, cooking, and boiling water. A person engaged in the collection and preparation of firewood is commonly referred to as a “woodcutter.” Many homes continue to utilize traditional fireplaces for burning firewood during the winter months, particularly on exceptionally cold days. Firewood served as a primary source of thermal energy at the beginning of the 19th century before being replaced by coal. With advancements in technology, oil became the main source of energy for many industries. As winter approaches, the demand for firewood increases, and it comes in various types distinguished by their bark, thickness, smoke emission, and scent. In this article, we will explore the different types of firewood and their unique characteristics.
Types of Firewood and Their Characteristics
There are several high-quality types of firewood, including:
- Acacia Firewood: Known as one of the best types of firewood due to its low smoke emission and high quality. Acacia firewood features excellent embers that retain heat for a long time and is predominantly found on mountain slopes and the edges of valleys.
- Samr Firewood: This type is characterized by its thin bark and reddish hue. It is tough to break due to its strong, sturdy nature. While it produces little smoke, its embers generate a significant amount of heat. Samr firewood is commonly found in Medina.
- Arta Firewood: Recognized for its lightweight branches with no external bark. It ignites quickly and produces minimal smoke, making it abundant in desert areas.
- Ghadha Firewood: Also known as Faida, this type features minimal smoke compared to other firewood types while producing extremely hot embers, even hotter than Samr firewood.
- Rummath and Hamd Firewood: Rummath firewood is distinguished by its slim branches and small bark, with a light color. It ignites quickly. Hamd firewood has a similar structure but is darker in color and also ignites rapidly.
- Salim Firewood: This type features slim branches with a light color, and it ignites quickly, producing medium heat in its embers.
How to Determine Firewood Quality
The quality of firewood can be assessed based on three key characteristics:
- Bark Appearance: High-quality firewood should have clean and pure bark, free from holes or decay. The bark must be dry and not green.
- Wood Shape: Firewood should ideally be split (chopped) rather than whole or round, as split wood ignites more readily.
- Wood Decay: Good firewood should exhibit numerous holes and present a greenish powdery substance. The absence of such holes may indicate that the wood is too old and unsuitable for burning, potentially due to earthworms having consumed it.