How Can I Choose The Best Wood For My Fireplace?

How can I choose the best wood for my fireplace? If you’re like many of us, the arrival of winter makes you long for the comforting embrace of your fire. Read on for some thoughts about choosing the best type of wood to burn in your fireplace.

Focus on the hardwoods
Did you know that all wood logs do not burn in the same way? Indeed, the wood from a variety of trees burns at different speeds and heat levels. Experts suggest that the best wood for use in your fireplace comes from the hardwood trees as these logs produce a long-lasting and hot burn. Examples of hardwoods include (1) maple, (2) oak, and (3) ash.

Ash, for example, is a popular hardwood for fireplaces due to its ability to produce a steady and slow burn with a comfortable amount of heat. Another benefit of choosing ash for your fire is that it doesn’t need to season as long as many hardwoods before use.

Softwoods sometimes hit the spot
Although many people prefer hardwoods over the conifers because the oaks do a much better job at maintaining a warm and welcoming blaze, it’s important to note that you’ll pay more for hardwoods than you will for a softwood. So, a softwood fire might just hit the spot for the occasional light.

The most popular softwood for fireplaces is fir. Keep in mind that fir, like other softwoods, burns fast and leaves a lot of ash behind. Still, the fact that you can create an inexpensive fire is well worth the extra clean up for an occasional blaze.

Choose seasoned firewood
Whatever type of fuel you choose for your home, make sure that the wood is well-seasoned before you put it into the fireplace. Dry wood produces (1) a better burn, (2) less smoke, and (3) a reduced level of creosote buildup in the chimney.

The amount of time that it takes to properly season firewood differs depending on the type of wood. Mother Earth News recommends that you season most firewood for approximately six months. You should strive to season wood until it doesn’t contain more than 25% water.

Lastly, while hardwoods provide superior performance in the fireplace, you can also opt to burn a properly seasoned softwood. In the end, there isn’t one best wood to use in your fire. Instead, you should explore your options and choose a wood that suits your budget and performance preferences.

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