When I think of the holidays, I think of hot chocolate, family, warm crackling fires and holiday movies; but before we cozy up and select that cheesy holiday flick, there are a few things you should know about selecting the best firewood to make the perfect fire.
Different types of wood have different characteristics that affect how they burn, how long they last, and how much heat they produce. Lets take a look at the different aspects of firewood that can affect the quality of your fire this holiday season.
Moisture content: The moisture content of firewood affects how easily it ignites, how much smoke it produces, and how much heat it generates. Ideally, you want firewood that has been seasoned, which means it has been dried for at least six months to reduce its moisture content to below 20%. Seasoned firewood is lighter, darker, and has cracks on the ends. Green firewood, on the other hand, has a high moisture content and is heavier, greener, and has no cracks. Green firewood is harder to light, produces more smoke and creosote, and generates less heat than seasoned firewood.
Density: The density of firewood refers to how much wood there is in a given volume. Denser firewood has more energy per unit volume and burns longer and hotter than less dense firewood. However, denser firewood also takes longer to dry and requires more effort to split and handle. Density is usually measured by specific gravity, which is the ratio of the weight of a piece of wood to the weight of an equal volume of water. The higher the specific gravity, the denser the wood. For example, oak has a specific gravity of 0.7, while pine has a specific gravity of 0.4.
Burn time: The burn time of firewood refers to how long a piece of wood will keep burning once it is ignited. Burn time depends on several factors, such as moisture content, density, size, shape, and air supply. Generally, firewood with lower moisture content, higher density, and larger size will burn longer than firewood with higher moisture content, lower density, and smaller size. However, burn time also depends on how you stack and arrange your firewood, as well as how much air you allow to circulate around it. A well-built fire will burn longer and more evenly than a poorly-built fire.
Local availability: The local availability of firewood refers to how easy it is to find and obtain firewood in your area. Depending on where you live, you may have access to a variety of firewood sources, such as forests, farms, orchards, or firewood dealers. However, some types of firewood may be more abundant, cheaper, or better quality than others. You should also consider the environmental impact of your firewood choice, as some types of firewood may be more sustainable, renewable, or carbon-neutral than others.
Personal preference: The personal preference of firewood refers to how you like your fire to look, smell, and sound. Some people may prefer firewood that produces bright flames, pleasant aromas, or crackling sounds, while others may prefer firewood that produces less smoke, sparks, or ash. Personal preference may also depend on the purpose of your fire, such as whether you use it for heating, cooking, or camping. For example, if you use firewood for cooking, you may want firewood that produces a steady and consistent heat, while if you use firewood for camping, you may want firewood that is easy to transport and store.
There are many types of firewood available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some examples of common firewood types and their characteristics, based on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is the lowest and 5 is the highest:
Firewood Type | Moisture Content | Density | Burn Time |
Oak | 2 | 5 | 5 |
Maple | 2 | 4 | 4 |
Birch | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Cherry | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Hickory | 2 | 5 | 5 |
Ash | 2 | 4 | 4 |
Pine | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Cedar | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Spruce | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Fir | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Based on the factors and examples above, you can select the perfect firewood for your needs by following these steps:
Determine the purpose of your fire, such as heating, cooking, or camping.
Determine the characteristics of firewood that suit your purpose, such as moisture content, density, burn time, local availability, and personal preference.
Compare the characteristics of different firewood types and choose the one that best matches your criteria.
Check the quality of the firewood before you buy or collect it, such as by looking for signs of seasoning, splitting, and insect damage.
Store and stack your firewood properly, such as by keeping it dry, covered, and ventilated.
Build and maintain your fire safely and efficiently, such as by using a fire pit, fireplace, or stove, and following the fire safety rules.
Backyard to Nature has a large selection of seasoned wood to help you build that perfect fire. We maintain an inventory of seasoned mixed firewood, but can fill orders by special request, such as green wood or a particular species. Come by our store for help or call us to discuss your needs.
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