A real wood fire warms you and your home like nothing else can.

Warming fires have been a part of Australian society for hundreds of years due mainly to their capacity to heat so efficiently A wood burning stove or slow combustion fireplace bathes the room with a rich, soothing warmth that no other energy source can equal.

The fire's radiance gives a welcome embrace as you come in from the cold. With its all-natural ingredients, a real wood fire is a hearty tonic for winter chill.

When you warm your life with wood, you participate in a natural cycle and an ancient human ritual. The simple act of stirring coals and placing logs on the hearth is one we share with ancestors who lived at the dawn of human history.

Burning wood for warmth is still satisfying. True, it takes a little extra effort, but like tending a garden or home cooking a meal, you are always rewarded.

THE BASICS: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WOOD BURNS

As firewood burns, it goes through three phases: 

Evaporation of water: After proper seasoning any water content is reduced to less than 20%. As the wood is heated in the firebox, the remaining moisture, evaporates quickly consuming heat energy in the process. That is why wet firewood hisses and sizzles and is hard to burn, while properly seasoned wood ignites and burns easily.  

The emission of smoke: As the wood heats up, it starts to smoke. The smoke is the visible result of the decomposition of the solid wood as it vaporizes into a cloud of combustible gases. The smoke will burn if the temperature is high enough and oxygen is present. 

When the smoke burns, it produces the bright flames that are characteristic of wood combustion. This process can now be achieved efficiently utilising the 90% of appliances available on the Australian market today.

The charcoal phase: As the fire progresses and most of the gases have vaporised out of the wood, charcoal remains. Charcoal is almost 100 per cent carbon and burns with a red glow and very little flame or smoke. Charcoal is a good fuel that burns easily and cleanly when enough oxygen is present.  

In practice, all three phases of wood combustion occur simultaneously. That is, the wood gases can be flaming and the edges of the pieces can be glowing red as charcoal burns, while moisture in the core of the piece is still evaporating. The challenge in burning wood effectively is to boil any remaining moisture content quickly and make sure the smoke burns before it leaves the firebox.  

NEW TECHNOLOGY WARMTH

Today's slow combustion stoves and fireplaces won't pollute your indoor air and you'll see no smoke coming from your chimney. It can deliver up to 75 percent seasonal efficiency while emitting 90 percent less smoke than the old "airtight". This means you'll need about 1/3 less wood for the same amount of heat.

The new technologies raise the temperature of the fire, making it more beautiful than ever and keeping the fire viewing glass crystal clear. Now you can enjoy the pleasures of a real wood fire and cast your vote in favour of the environment at the same time.

Modern wood burning stoves and fireplaces are a perfect match for new energy efficient houses. A centrally-located wood stove can fully heat a home of moderate size, and for larger homes, the heat from an elegant new fireplace can be ducted to all areas. No more chilly rooms.

And no more getting up in the night to feed the fire — today models deliver a reliable overnight burn. We recommend you only use a wood heater manufactured by a member of the Australian Home Heating Association. That way you can be sure it has been manufactured to meet Australian standards that apply to wood heaters. Australian Home Heating Association website

COMPARISON*

WOOD: YOU'RE IN CONTROL

Do you know how much gas, oil or electricity you really use ?

Keeping a close eye on your heating costs and being able to monitor your use is impossible. If you want a reliable heat source and to be in control to regulate your own usage then renewable plantation fuel wood is the best choice.

And when all else fails, you can count on a real wood fire. Without heat, an emergency becomes a disaster, but with a reliable wood heater and a few candles, you'll turn it into a family adventure. When storms rage and the power lines go down, your family will be warm and cosy and safe around the real wood fire.