Whatever your reason for building a fire, the quality relies heavily on having the right fuel to burn. If you are bringing some winter warmth into your home with a fire beneath your mantle, you will want to use a different wood than you would for a bonfire with your friends. Choosing the right type of wood will have a considerable impact on the heat and length of a burn. When it comes to burning wood in your home, using the wrong type of wood could actually be dangerous! Therefore, it is essential to learn what kind of fuel is right for your needs.

Hardwood vs. Softwoods

When it comes to purchasing firewood, there are two categories: hardwood and softwood. Hardwoods are denser, so they typically create more heat and burn for a longer time than softwoods do. This makes them the better choice for heating your house, whether with a fireplace or wood-burning stove. There are numerous types of both hardwoods and softwoods to choose, but Ash, Oak, and Birch are a few common hardwoods you may recognize when you are looking to purchase your own firewood.

Indoor Woods

Softwoods are not as dense as hardwoods, so they dry out quicker than hardwoods would. They also ignite better and burn faster than hardwoods, making them ideal as starter wood. Cedar is an excellent example of a good softwood to use indoors as a starter wood. If you plan to build your fire indoors, avoid using pine. It burns very easily, but the high sap and resin content can cause buildup in the chimney flue, which could lead to a chimney fire.

Outdoor Woods

If you are planning a bonfire with your friends, the type of wood you are burning is not going to make much of a difference, but when it comes to burning wood in your home, it is important that you make the right choice. The correct wood is essential in order to accomplish a long, slow burn and produce the most considerable amount of heat. Furthermore, the wrong type of wood could be potentially dangerous, so it is extremely important to know the basics before starting a fire indoors.

While the comfort of fire is always enjoyable, knowing your woods is vital. Remember to stay safe whenever creating a fire. Any questions can be left below in the comment section. We love to hear from you, and remember to subscribe!