Types Of Firewood – A Simple Guide To Burning The Right Fuel

Whether you’re buying or burning, knowing a few things about the different types of firewood can maximize efficiency and save you trouble when it comes to your wood stove, fireplace, or fire pit.

 Firewood has two categories: hardwood and softwood, but don’t let the names fool you!  Hardwoods aren’t always harder or more durable and softwoods aren’t soft and workable—give or take a few exceptions.

 Actually, the difference lies in their terms of reproduction and physical structure, not by their end use or appearance.

 The short version of the story goes like this, hardwoods are generally denser than softwood meaning they burn for longer and produce more heat. They are also less sticky than softwoods and are less likely to cause tar deposit buildups in your flue.

What they’re great for: Long, lingering fires with lots of coals, heating your house and fueling your stove. Hardwood is generally the best wood for your fireplace.

Popular Types of Hardwood For Burning:

The list of different types of hardwood could go on and on forever, so we will focus on just three of the most popular:

Oak

A favorite because it can be found almost anywhere, oak is very dense and can burn for a long, long time. It’s the slowest timber to season and is best used in a mix of different types of logs. It’s great if you need to keep a fire going at night. You can expect to pay around €110-130 per cord.

Birch

A great option for fires thanks to its ability to burn quickly and well, even unseasoned. There are many species of Birch (like Black, Yellow, and White) with varying degrees of efficiency. Its bark can also be used as a natural fire starter. It works best mixed in with slow-burning woods like Oak and a full cord will be around €200.

Ash

A favorite for wood burning because it burns well on its own, produces a steady flame, and has a good heat output. If you’re looking to buy a full cord seasoned and split you can expect to pay around €170.