wood

Burning "green" (freshly cut) wood or wet wood on your stove can lead to several problems, the most serious of which is probably a tarred-up chimney - which could result in a chimney fire.

Wood which has been well-seasoned will burn much more efficiently, giving off more heat. If you buy your logs in, your supplier may sell you seasoned or un-seasoned wood: always check when you make your purchase.

To season logs, it is best to cut them to size (they should be at least six centimetres shorter than the width of your stove door so that they fit in easily) and split them before stacking in a sheltered place. Splitting the logs exposes more of the surface area to the air, and so helps the wood to dry more quickly. You can tell when wood is seasoned and ready to burn: the logs feel lighter and the ends become dark with visible cracks or splits.

Seasoned firewood will reabsorb water if it is exposed to rain, snow or dew, so it is important to store it properly. There are a number of wood stores on the market - these tend to be open to the elements on one side to allow the air and wind to circulate and speed up the drying process, and have a sloping, rainproof roof. Try Certainly Wood for a range.

Or you can make your own wood shelter. We made ours with four upright posts rammed into the ground and a builder's pallet, covered in roofing felt, set at an angle for the roof. The wood needs to be stacked off the ground - builders' pallets are useful here, too, but a row of longer logs, a layer of gravel or a few paving slabs will also work. You can also stack wood in a barn, garage or garden shed. Stored wood could deteriorate or rot after four to five years, so be sure to use up your oldest wood first.

Here are my top ten woods to burn on your stove:

Ash is generally considered to be the best firewood. It burns well, gives out plenty of heat, and tends to season more quickly than other woods.

Oak needs to be well-seasoned but will give off a good heat and burns quite slowly

Hazel also needs to be well-seasoned, and burns quite quickly with a good heat.

Hawthorn is a very dense wood which burns slowly and without much smoke.

Birch is a good firewood but burns very quickly so it is best to mix it with a slower burning wood.

Sycamore is a good firewood that burns well.

Apple or Pear also burn well, and produce a pleasant smell.

Holly will burn quite well, as will Rowan .

Beech has a high water content so will only burn if well-seasoned.