Best Firewood to Burn: Top Choices for Every Need

The heat output, burn time, and even the aroma of your fire all depend on the kind of wood you choose.

In this guide, we’ll explore the differences between hardwood and softwood, examine BTU ratings, and recommend the best firewood to burn for fireplaces, wood stoves, and outdoor fire pits.

Quick List: Best Firewood for Burning

For long-lasting heat and coals: Oak, Hickory, Maple
Best for cooking and smoking: Hickory, Applewood, Mesquite
Easy to split and readily available: Ash
For kindling and quick fires: Pine, Fir
For a pleasant aroma: Cedar (use sparingly)

This list provides a quick overview. Continue reading for a detailed explanation of each wood type and important factors like seasoning and BTU ratings.

Hardwood vs. Softwood: Which is Right for You?
Top Hardwood Firewood for a Long-Lasting Burn
Best Softwood Firewood for Kindling and Quick Fires
Firewood BTU Ratings
Seasoned vs. Unseasoned Firewood
Choosing the Right Firewood for Your Needs
Sourcing Your Firewood: Where to Buy
Proper Firewood Storage: Keeping Your Wood Dry and Ready

Additional Tables:

Common Firewood Types BTU

Hardwood vs. Softwood: Which is Right for You?

When it comes to firewood, the first major distinction is between hardwood and softwood.

Hardwoods are deciduous trees that lose their leaves in the fall, like oak and maple. Softwoods, on the other hand, are coniferous trees that retain their needles year-round, such as pine and fir.

Hardwoods

These dense woods burn hotter and longer due to their tightly packed fibers, producing more heat (measured in BTUs - more on that later) and leaving behind less ash. This also means they produce less creosote, a flammable byproduct of combustion that can build up in your chimney and pose a fire hazard.

While generally more expensive than softwoods, the efficiency and reduced maintenance make hardwoods a valuable choice for consistent home heating.

Softwoods

While not ideal for sustained heating, softwoods play an important role in fire building. Their less dense structure allows them to ignite quickly and easily, making them perfect for kindling.

They burn rapidly with a bright flame, making them a good choice for short bursts of heat or ambiance in an outdoor fire pit. However, softwoods produce less heat overall and tend to create more creosote, requiring more frequent chimney cleaning.

Their lower price point makes them an accessible option, especially for occasional fires. So, while not the best choice for all-night warmth, softwoods have their place in the fire-building process.

Top Hardwood Firewood for a Long-Lasting Burn

For a fire that burns long and hot, providing consistent heat throughout the evening, hardwoods are the best choice. Here are some of the top performers:

Oak

A classic choice, oak is known for its high heat output and long burn time. Different oak varieties offer slightly different characteristics, but all are dense and provide excellent heat.

Red oak tends to burn a bit faster than white oak due to its slightly lower density. Expect a pleasant, slightly smoky aroma.

Hickory

Prized for its distinctive, smoky flavor, hickory is a favorite for cooking and smoking meats. It also burns hot and long, making it a top choice for fireplaces and wood stoves.

Be aware that hickory can be difficult to split due to its density.

Maple

Maple offers a good balance of heat output and burn time. Sugar maple, in particular, is a great option. It burns cleanly and produces a sweet, subtle aroma. Other maple varieties, like red maple, are also suitable, though slightly less dense.

Ash

Easy to split and readily available in many areas, ash is a popular and practical choice. It burns hot and clean with a relatively neutral aroma. White ash is generally preferred over green ash for firewood.

Beech

Similar to maple in terms of heat output and burn time, beech is a solid option for a long-lasting fire. It burns cleanly and produces a subtle, pleasant aroma.

Birch

Birch is known for its attractive bark and pleasant aroma. Yellow birch, in particular, is a great firewood choice, offering good heat and a relatively long burn. White birch burns a bit faster but is excellent for kindling.

While birch can produce a pleasing aroma, it's important to note that burning birch can contribute to creosote buildup if not burned hot enough, so ensure adequate airflow.

Consider factors like heat output, burn time, aroma, and ease of splitting when making your selection.

Best Softwood Firewood for Kindling and Quick Fires

The easy ignition and quick-burning nature of softwoods make them ideal for kindling and getting a fire started quickly, or for providing a short-lived but vibrant blaze in an outdoor fire pit.

Pine

Pine is widely available and affordable, making it a popular choice for kindling. It ignites easily and burns with a bright flame. However, due to its high resin content, pine can produce a lot of smoke and creosote.

Different pine varieties exist; white pine is generally preferred for firewood as it has less resin than yellow pine.

Be Cautious: When burning pine, ensure good ventilation to avoid creosote buildup.

Fir

Fir is another readily available softwood that makes good kindling. It burns relatively cleanly and produces less smoke than pine. Douglas fir is a popular choice for firewood due to its availability and decent heat output for softwood.

Cedar

Known for its delightful aroma, cedar is a popular choice for outdoor fire pits and campfires. The fragrant smoke can help repel insects, adding a pleasant touch to your outdoor gathering.

While cedar burns quickly, it also produces relatively low heat compared to hardwoods.

Keep in Mind: Burning large amounts of cedar can contribute to creosote buildup.

Softwoods are best used for starting fires or for short bursts of heat and ambiance. For long-lasting warmth and efficient heating, hardwoods are the preferred choice.

Using a combination of softwood for kindling and hardwood for sustained burning is a common and effective strategy.

Firewood BTU Ratings

BTU, or British Thermal Unit, is a key metric for understanding the heat output of different firewood types. One BTU is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit

In simpler terms, the higher the BTU rating of a wood, the more heat it can produce when burned.

The BTU rating essentially tells you how much potential energy is packed into a given volume of wood. A wood with a higher BTU rating will generate more heat per cord, making it a more efficient choice for heating. This translates to a longer-lasting fire and less wood consumed overall.

Here’s a general comparison of BTU ratings for common firewood types (these are approximate values and can vary based on factors like moisture content and wood density):

Common Firewood Types BTU
Wood Type	BTU per Cord (Millions)
Hickory	27-31
Oak (White)	24-28
Oak (Red)	22-26
Maple (Sugar)	24-27
Beech	24-27
Ash	20-24
Birch (Yellow)	20-23
Pine	14-17
Fir	15-19
Cedar	12-15

While BTU ratings provide a useful benchmark, it's important to remember that other factors, such as wood moisture content and burning conditions, also impact heat output.

However, using BTU ratings as a guide can help you choose firewood that will provide efficient and effective heating for your needs.

Seasoned vs. Unseasoned Firewood

Choosing the right type of firewood is crucial, but just as important is ensuring it's properly seasoned. Seasoning refers to the process of drying wood to reduce its moisture content. Burning unseasoned, or “green,” wood is inefficient and can cause a host of problems.

Why Seasoning Matters

Green wood contains a significant amount of water. When burned, much of the fire's energy is used to evaporate this water, resulting in less heat output and a cooler fire.

This also leads to increased smoke production, difficulty starting and maintaining a fire, and a significant buildup of creosote in your chimney, increasing the risk of a chimney fire.

So, how can you tell if firewood is seasoned? Here are a few key indicators:

Moisture Content: Ideally, seasoned firewood should have a moisture content of 20% or less. A moisture meter can provide an accurate reading.
Checking: Seasoned wood often develops cracks, or checks, on the ends as it dries.
Sound: Dry wood produces a hollow sound when two pieces are struck together, while green wood sounds duller.
Weight: Seasoned wood is noticeably lighter than green wood due to the reduced water content.

Seasoning firewood takes time, typically six months to two years, depending on the wood type and storage conditions.

The wood should be stacked loosely in a well-ventilated area, exposed to sun and wind, but protected from rain and snow. Proper seasoning is crucial for efficient burning, reduced creosote buildup, and a cleaner, hotter fire.

Choosing the Right Firewood for Your Needs

While understanding the differences between hardwoods and softwoods and the importance of seasoned wood is essential, selecting the best firewood also depends on how you plan to use it.

Fireplaces

For fireplaces, the goal is often a combination of efficient heating and visual appeal. Dense hardwoods like oak, maple, and hickory are excellent choices, providing long-lasting heat and beautiful flames.

If you prioritize aroma, consider adding some hickory or a small amount of a fragrant wood like cherry or applewood.

Wood Stoves

Wood stoves are designed for maximum heating efficiency. High-BTU hardwoods like oak, hickory, and maple are ideal for wood stoves, providing sustained heat output to warm your home effectively.

Choose well-seasoned wood to maximize efficiency and minimize creosote buildup.

Outdoor Fire Pits/Campfires

For a campfire or outdoor fire pit, a mix of hardwoods and softwoods can be a good strategy. Use softwoods like pine or fir for easy kindling and quick ignition, then add hardwoods like oak or maple for a long-lasting fire.

Cooking

When it comes to cooking with wood, specific wood types impart unique flavors to your food.

Hickory is a popular choice for smoking meats, lending a strong, smoky flavor.
Applewood offers a milder, sweeter smoke.
Mesquite imparts a rich, earthy flavor.

Experiment with different wood types to discover your favorites.

For cooking, always use hardwoods designed specifically for culinary use and ensure they are free of any chemicals or treatments.

Sourcing Your Firewood: Where to Buy

Once you know what kind of firewood you need, the next step is finding a reliable supplier. Several options are available, each with its pros and cons.

Local Firewood Suppliers

Often the best option for quality and supporting local businesses. Dedicated firewood suppliers specialize in providing seasoned and ready-to-burn wood. They can often advise on the best wood types for your needs and may offer delivery services.

Be sure to inquire about the seasoning process and wood species they offer.

Lumber Yards

Many lumber yards also sell firewood, often as a byproduct of their lumber operations. This can be a cost-effective option, but the quality and seasoning of the wood can vary.

Ask about the wood's source and how long it has been seasoned.

Online Retailers

Online marketplaces and specialized firewood retailers offer convenience, but be cautious about shipping costs and the potential for receiving unseasoned or improperly stored wood.

Carefully research the seller's reputation and inquire about their seasoning and delivery practices.

Picking Up Firewood Yourself (with permission)

In some areas, you may be able to collect downed wood yourself, but always obtain permission from the landowner beforehand. Be aware of local regulations regarding firewood collection.

If you choose this route, be prepared to invest the time and effort required for cutting, splitting, and seasoning the wood yourself, which can take significant time and effort.

Regardless of your chosen source, prioritize reputable sellers who prioritize sustainable forestry practices and provide properly seasoned wood.

Ask questions about the wood's origin, seasoning process, and moisture content to ensure you're getting high-quality firewood that will burn efficiently and cleanly.

Proper Firewood Storage: Keeping Your Wood Dry and Ready

Having a supply of seasoned firewood is only half the battle. Proper storage is crucial to maintaining its dryness and preventing rot, ensuring it’s ready to burn when you need it. Here are some essential tips for storing your firewood effectively:

Elevate the Wood: Keep the wood off the ground to prevent moisture absorption and insect infestation. Use pallets, concrete blocks, or a firewood rack.
Cover the Top: Protect the wood from rain and snow by covering the top of the woodpile with a tarp, plastic sheeting, or a firewood shed.
Allow for Air Circulation: Don't completely enclose the sides of the woodpile. Adequate air circulation is crucial for maintaining dryness and preventing mold growth.
Don't Store Wood Directly Against Your House: Keep firewood stacked away from your house to prevent insect infestations and reduce the risk of fire.

Proper storage will protect your investment in seasoned firewood, ensuring it burns efficiently and provides cozy warmth when you need it most.

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