Usable Types of Fuel for Central Boiler Outdoor Wood Furnaces

Hardwood Logs

• Hardwood logs are an ideal fuel for a Central Boiler. Woods like oak, maple, and walnut burn slowly and very hot, giving the boiler the maximum heat output possible. You must properly dry the hardwood for at least 6 to 8 months to properly burn it without creating a lot of creosote and to burn all the way through the wood.

Softwood Logs

• Softwoods burn faster than hardwoods but are acceptable for use in Central Boiler Units. Softwoods include pines, cedar, fur and cotton wood. These woods take a few months to dry out enough to burn and are good for kindling and the beginning stages of building a fire.

Lumber Scraps

• You can use old lumber scraps to fuel a Central Boiler system. Ensure the lumber scraps are regular lumber and not chemically treated or laminated with glues as this produces excess carbon emissions and creates a flammable creosote coating on the inside of the chimney, increasing the chances of a chimney fire.