FAQ’S

BIO BLOCK FAQ’s

BIO BLOCK 17 questions
Where can I use BIO BLOCKS?

BIO BLOCKS can be used any place you would use traditional firewood.

  • Wood Stoves
  • Fireplaces
  • Chimineas
  • Fire Pits
  • Campfires
  • Pizza Ovens – Used by both Chefs in restaurants and individuals who have smaller wood-fired ovens.

BIO BLOCKS are very versatile. No additional modifications are needed when used in a wood stove. It can be used alone or mixed with firewood.

Note: BIO BLOCKS cannot be used in a pellet stove.

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Can BIO BLOCKS be used as a fire starter?

BIO BLOCKS are compacted too tight to light with a match. It is designed as a replacement for firewood but is not considered a fire starter.

We suggest starting your fire with a BIO BLOCK Fire Starter.

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How do I ignite BIO BLOCKS?

OPTION I

  1. Stack four BIO BLOCKS in a teepee.
  2. Leaving a one inch space, build a second teepee of four in front of the first.
  3. Divide a BIO BLOCK Fire Starter into four pieces.
  4. Place one piece in the center of the teepee and ignite.
  5. Establish a strong burn before adding additional BIO BLOCKS.
  6. After your fire is established, the damper on your wood stove can be adjusted for a long, slow burn.

OPTION II

  1. Place four BIO BLOCKS flat in a wood burning device, leaving a space between blocks for airflow.
  2. Place three BIO BLOCKS over the spaces making a second row.
  3. Place one BIO BLOCK on top to complete your pyramid.
  4. Divide a BIO BLOCK Fire Starter into four pieces.
  5. Place one piece in the center and ignite.
  6. Establish a strong burn before adding additional BIO BLOCKS.
  7. After your fire is established, the damper on your wood stove can be adjusted for a long, slow burn.

Note: BIO BLOCKS are not fire starters. Because BIO BLOCKS are tightly compressed and do not contain chemicals, or any binder, the blocks will not ignite by holding a match or torch directly to a block!

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How are BIO BLOCKS made?

BIO BLOCKS are made of 100% recycled, kiln-dried hardwood sawdust compacted together under high pressure to form a wood briquette. Wood contains lignin, a natural binder under pressure, which means that no additives or chemicals are necessary.

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Are BIO BLOCKS economical to use for home heating?
  • You will receive what you pay for every time. There are always 88 packs of BIO BLOCKS on a pallet, which equals one ton. The measurements of firewood can be questionable if sold in quantities less than one cord.
  • BIO BLOCKS have a moisture content of 8.5% according to research at the University of Buffalo in New York. This accounts for the long, hot burn of BIO BLOCKS. Firewood is considered dry at 20%.
  • One ton of BIO BLOCKS = 1 1/2 cords of firewood. The consistent size, low moisture, tight compression and blend of kiln-dried hardwoods provides approximately 14 – 18 Mil BTU’s per ton.
  • BIO BLOCKS provide a warm, even heat. Never worry about what the thermostat is set at again!
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Can I buy directly from the manufacturer?

BIO BLOCKS are only available through retail stores. Go to the Where to Buy
page and enter your zip code to find the retail store closest to your home. We do not sell directly from the plant.

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What are the benefits of heating my house with BIO BLOCKS?

Clean – Convenient – Cost Effective

A Lifestyle Choice – Spend more time with your family, instead of using your evenings and weekends to chop firewood.
Clean – No more bringing bugs or dirt into your house
Store Inside – An added bonus when the cold winter wind blows and the snow gets deep.
Saves Time – Spend less time cleaning ashes or chopping, splitting and stacking firewood.
Economical – One ton of BIO BLOCKS is equivalent to the BTU’s of one and half cords of firewood.
Easy to Handle – The size of BIO BLOCKS is easy for anyone to handle from young to elderly parents.
Minimal Smoke – You will have happy neighbors by not covering their homes with smoke.
Saves Space – One 40″ x 48″ x 36″ pallet of BIO BLOCKS takes less space than a 4′ x 4′ x 8′ cord of firewood.
Easy to Stack – If preferred; packs can be removed from the pallet and stacked against a wall. Packs are flat and uniform in size, making it easier to stack than firewood.
Convenient – Some stores will deliver a pallet to your home.

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What does the SWI imprinted on the side of a BIO BLOCK stand for?

SWI stands for Summit Wood Industries which is the name of our company.

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How do I store BIO BLOCKS?

BIO BLOCKS must be stored in a dry location.

The packs are 11″ wide x 12″ long. Because it is flat pack and uniform in size, BIO BLOCKS are easier to stack and store than logs.

Pallets are 40″ wide x 48″ deep x 36″ high. One ton takes less space to store then a 4′ x 4′ x 8′ stack of cordwood.

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Why should I switch to BIO BLOCKS?

Fuel oil and natural gas are very susceptible to market conditions, especially in this economy. Cordwood contains high moisture, making its BTUs unpredictable when burned. BIO BLOCKS are a clean, cost-effective alternative to other heating sources. BIO BLOCKS are not dependent upon foreign sources; it is a 100% domestic product. BIO BLOCKS also are carbon neutral, making it a family-safe product. BIO BLOCKS have a predictable manufacturing process; therefore, the BTUs are consistent in every BIO BLOCK.

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Are BIO BLOCKS environmentally responsible?

Yes. BIO BLOCKS are a natural, carbon neutral, energy efficient product.

    • BIO BLOCKS are made from kiln-dried hardwood sawdust. Our contracts with local companies for their by-product keeps it from going to landfills.
    • No trees are harvested. Made from 100% recycled wood.
    • BIO BLOCKS burn clean. When you only burn BIO BLOCKS, you’ll notice a minimal amount of smoke, creosote and ash. You’ll be a good neighbor by not covering the neighborhood with smoke!
    • Carbon neutral means that when wood briquettes are burned, it emits the same amount of carbon that was produced by the trees that it came from.
    • Safe to transport across state and county lines without spreading invasive insects. (ie. Emerald Ash Borer)
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Do I have to buy a special stove or wood-burning device to burn BIO BLOCKS?

No. Unlike wood pellets, which require a special pellet stove, BIO BLOCKS offer versatility and can be used in your existing wood stove or any wood-burning device.

  • Fireplaces
  • Inserts
  • Wood Stoves
  • Wood-Fired Boilers
  • Fire Pits
  • Campfires
  • Chimineas
  • Pizza Ovens – Commercial and residential
  • Note: BIO BLOCKS cannot be used in a pellet stove.

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    Can I have BIO BLOCKS delivered to my home?

    Check with your local retail store to see if they offer home delivery. Many stores offer free delivery or will deliver for a nominal charge.

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    Who manufactures BIO BLOCKS?

    BIO BLOCK Firewood is manufactured by Summit Wood Industries, Inc. Our business is located in Orrville, Ohio, U.S.A.

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    Where can I buy BIO BLOCKS?

    Go to our Where to Buy page and enter your zip code to find a store near you. If you cannot find a store in your area, contact us for assistance.

    Note: We are wholesale only. We do not offer retail sales from the manufacturing plant.

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    Can BIO BLOCKS be transported across state and county lines?

    BIO BLOCKS are made of kiln-dried hardwood sawdust. The sawdust, which is an off fall product from lumber that is being processed at manufacturing plants, has gone through the drying process. Kiln-drying wood kills all bugs and bacteria.

    For this reason, BIO BLOCKS can be transported across county and state lines, and into state parks, without concern of spreading invasive insects like the Emerald Ash Borer. It is an economical, eco-friendly option to traditional camp firewood.

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    Can I burn BIO BLOCKS with traditional firewood?

    Yes, BIO BLOCKS and firewood can be burned together, although it will eliminate some of the advantages of burning only BIO BLOCKS.

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    FACTS

    WHY CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE ENERGY?

    • The moisture content of BIO BLOCKS is 8.5% according to a study at the University of Buffalo, compared to firewood that is considered seasoned at 20%.
    • Fuel oil and natural gas are susceptible to market conditions.
    • BIO BLOCKS are environmentally friendly and made from renewable resources.
    • Made in the U.S.A. Creates jobs and lessens our dependence on foreign oil.
    • BIO BLOCKS are easy to stack, taking less space than a cord of wood. Our pallet size is 40” x 48” x 36″.
    • Uniform size, density and moisture ensures predictable burning each time.
    • During power outages, BIO BLOCKS still provide heat.
    • Less smoke, ash and creosote = less time maintaining your stove and chimney.
    • Reclaim your weekends! No more time splitting and chopping firewood!
    • Efficient warmth. 1 ton of BIO BLOCKS is equivalent to 1½ cords of firewood.
    • 100% Recycled product. No trees are harvested to create this product.
    • Clean! Bugs and dirt are not brought in the house.

    KNOW THE FACTS

    “Biomass fuels are derived from renewable sustainable sources such as wood pellets, corn and switch grass that are alternatives to fossil fuels. Some biomass fuels are even considered carbon neutral, or better, utilizing waste products from other industries such as cherry pits and sawdust.”

    Excerpt from the Home, Patio, Barbeque Association Website


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