Okay, so today I wanna talk about something that’s been on my mind lately – wood bricks for my wood stove. Yeah, you heard that right, wood bricks. I know, I know, most folks just use regular firewood, but hear me out.
It all started a few weeks ago when I was fed up with how messy and inconsistent my firewood was. Some pieces were too big, some too small, and don’t even get me started on the bark and dirt everywhere. Plus, I was always running out at the worst possible times. So, I started looking into alternatives, and that’s when I stumbled upon these compressed wood bricks.
The idea is pretty simple. They take sawdust and other wood waste, compress it into these neat little bricks, and voila, you’ve got firewood that’s uniform in size, low in moisture, and burns longer and cleaner. Sounds pretty good, right?
I did some digging around and found a few different brands to try:
- First up was Canawick. These guys make hardwood fuel blocks specifically designed for wood stoves.
- Then there was Voulosimi. They offer fire bricks in a size that’s perfect for most stoves, 9″ x 4.5″ x 1.25″.
- I also checked out SIMOND STORE and Rutland Products. Both of them are available on Amazon, with different prices, $45.92 for SIMOND STORE, and only $19.37 for Rutland Products.
Now, when I started looking into this, I also came across some information about firebricks, the kind that lines the inside of your stove. Apparently, choosing the right firebrick is just as important as choosing the right stove. They protect the firebox and affect how heat is transferred. Some folks even use soapstone instead of firebricks because it’s super heat-resistant. But from what I gathered, a good-quality, dense firebrick is usually the way to go, even if it’s not always what the stove manufacturers recommend.
But back to the wood bricks. I decided to order a small batch of Voulosimi bricks to see how they compared to my regular firewood. The first thing I noticed was how much easier they were to handle. No more splinters or dirty hands! I stacked them neatly by the stove, and they took up way less space than my usual pile of firewood.
When it came time to light the fire, I was pleasantly surprised. The bricks caught quickly and burned with a nice, steady flame. And they definitely lasted longer than my regular wood. I didn’t have to constantly feed the fire, which was a huge plus.
But the real test was how well they heated my home. Now, I live in an old, drafty farmhouse, so keeping it warm in the winter is always a challenge. But I gotta say, these wood bricks did a pretty darn good job. The heat was consistent and seemed to radiate throughout the house better than before.
Of course, there are a few downsides. Wood bricks are generally more expensive than regular firewood, especially if you have a free source of wood. And some people just prefer the look and feel of a traditional wood fire. But for me, the convenience, efficiency, and cleanliness of wood bricks are worth the extra cost.
So, that’s my experience with wood bricks so far. I’m definitely a convert. It’s not just about the bricks themselves, but also understanding things like firebricks and how they work. I’m still learning and experimenting, but I’m excited to see how these little bricks can improve my wood-burning experience this winter. If you’re tired of the hassle of regular firewood, I’d say give them a try. You might be surprised!
