Nothing kills a backyard barbecue more than thick smoke coming from the grill. Before you know it, everyone’s coughing, and you can barely see. Smoke can even transform the flavor of the food you’re cooking. Luckily, you can avoid these headaches by learning the best firewood to burn in different scenarios.
Ideally, you should always purchase firewood that’s both kiln-dried and hardwood. Continue reading to learn why this type of firewood is so advantageous and which hardwoods are best for different situations.
Why Kiln-Dried Firewood is the Best
There are so many species of firewood out there. You can choose from oak, cherry, hickory and more. The options might overwhelm you; however, keep in mind that kiln-dried is the best firewood to buy, regardless of the species of wood you choose. Why, you ask? Let’s read some of the benefits below!
You’ll Get a Better-Quality Burn
Kiln-dried firewood goes through a unique drying process, which leads to its superiority. Woodworkers put the wood into a kiln and heat it at a specific temperature for an exact amount of time. This practice eliminates insects and mold that might otherwise exist on the wood.
Kiln-dried firewood also has a moisture content of less than 20%. The less moisture a piece of wood has, the easier it is to ignite a flame. This is because the flames don’t have to work against water to burn, as is the case with firewood that’s not kiln-dried.
Seasoned firewood is an example of this. It’s left outside to dry in the elements and not in a controlled environment. As a result, seasoned wood holds more moisture than kiln-dried firewood and doesn’t burn as easily. Seasoned firewood also produces smokier burns, with dark smoke emerging from the flames.
Insect and Mold-Free
No one wants creepy crawlers in their home. Unfortunately, this is more likely to happen when purchasing seasoned firewood or wood that has not been kiln-dried. The kiln-drying process kills off insects and mold that might be present on firewood. Undetected mold on firewood can produce airborne toxins, making inhaling unsafe.
You’ll Stay Healthy
You might find this hard to believe, but kiln-dried firewood can help you stay healthy! The wood produces less smoke than its counterparts, so you and your guests won’t be coughing during a get-together. Kiln-dried firewood doesn’t produce creosote, either! You can rest easy knowing this cancer-causing byproduct isn’t in your chimney.
Hardwood is the Way to Go
So, now you know that kiln-dried firewood is a must. You should go a step further and buy kiln-dried hardwood. Hardwoods contain low moisture, and they’re dense. It should be noted that certain types of hardwood have their advantages, like a great smell or impressive heat content. Let’s discuss two types of hardwood so you have the information you need before placing an order.
Before we discuss oak and hickory hardwood, let’s examine why hardwood is superior to softwood. Softwood contains a lot of moisture. This makes it more challenging to light and use while cooking because the additional moisture could affect the food’s flavoring. Hardwood, on the other hand, has minimal moisture and can burn more consistently while cooking.
Oak
Oak produces the hottest flames. It burns the equivalent of 200-250 gallons of fuel oil! So, if you’re looking for a hardwood to keep your home warm as the temperature drops outside, oak hardwood is your best bet.
Oak is also incredibly dense, so it creates long-lasting flames. You’ll save some serious cash and time using oak firewood because there’ll be no more constant trips to the grocery store. Your money and time are better spent making memories by a campfire or fireplace!
A Quick Tip: Since it’s known for its long-lasting burns, oak is the best firewood for wood stoves.
Hickory
Hickory is another solid choice if you’re looking for a long-lasting burn. Yet, hickory is unique because it produces a subtle aroma that oak doesn’t. You’ll also get a clean burn with little smoke when using hickory. So, if you want your home to look and feel cozy, hickory is the best choice.
The Best Types of Wood for Different Situations
There are so many species of wood available. Surprisingly, some woods perform better than others in different situations. Read below to discover the best wood for cooking, campfires and fireplaces.
Best Wood for Cooking
Fruit woods, such as cherry and apple, are two examples of hardwoods that are great for cooking. These woods enhance your food’s flavor by creating a sweet smoke that lingers and elevates the taste.
You can also use hickory and mesquite. Using these woods when barbecuing will help capture a classic tangy taste people drool over.
Best Wood for Campfires
Now’s your chance to get in those last-minute campfires! Summer’s coming to an end! If you plan on camping, make sure to order oak or hickory before heading out. These have minimal moisture content, don’t produce much smoke and burn easily.
Best Wood for Fireplaces
As previously mentioned, oak is the best wood for fireplaces. Oak burns hotter and is long-lasting. Also, there’s less pitch and sap, making it easier to clean things up afterward. Easy cleanup and minimal smoke make oak the best firewood for indoor fireplaces, too.
Remember, not all woods are created equally. Some woods are suited for camping, while others enhance flavors when smoking meat. Keep this in mind the next time you place an order!
The Different Qualities of Firewood
You should pay attention to what firewood you’re using in different situations and be aware that every firewood possesses different qualities. Below, we’ll dive deep into these attributes so you can rest assured you get the wood you want!
Best Aroma
Earlier, we mentioned that hickory produces a subtle aroma when burned. For this reason, it’s the best-smelling firewood around. On the other hand, Cherry will create a cozy smell so that people feel welcome and the right tone is set.
Prettiest Flame
Suppose you and your partner want to enjoy a relaxing night by the fireplace. Hickory or birch produce the prettiest flames, making for a romantic atmosphere. Hickory is incredibly dense, so it might be harder to ignite. However, the flames dance around the wood like magic once it gets going.
Birch also produces beautiful flames. It leaves behind a bed of embers, meaning you might have enough warm coals to continue burning a fire the next morning. The romance can continue the next day!
Most Heat
So, what firewood creates the most heat? The short answer is oak. Firewood’s heat value is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). Several factors influence its BTUs, including density and dryness. Oak produces around 29 million BTUs! That makes for one hot fire! So, if you want to stay cozy as winter slowly approaches, there’s no other choice than oak.
Do You Need High-Quality Firewood ASAP?
Choosing the right firewood for you is trickier than you think. If this article has taught you anything, it’s that buying cheap seasoned firewood is a bad idea! Instead, you should opt for kiln-dried hardwood that creates long-lasting flames.
Are you searching for kiln-dried hardwood near you? Look no further than ProCut Firewood! We have multiple species of wood available in a variety of sizes. Moreover, we’ve perfected our delivery services, so you get your wood in one to three days. Call us to determine what type of wood you’re looking for and place an order.
Editor’s Note: This blog was originally published in September of 2022 and was updated in February of 2024.
