The Best Types of Home Burning Wood
Burning wood in your home can be a great way to add warmth and ambiance to your living space. But not all woods are created equal when it comes to burning. Some woods burn hotter and longer than others, while some can create more smoke and ash. To help you choose the best wood for your needs, we’ve put together this guide on the best types of wood to burn in your home.
Wood Types
Oak
Oak is one of the most popular types of wood for home burning, and for good reason. It burns hot and slow, and produces a lot of heat, making it ideal for use in wood stoves and fireplaces. It also produces a low amount of smoke, which means less ash buildup in your chimney. Oak is a dense hardwood, which means it can take longer to dry out than softer woods. But once it’s dry, it’s an excellent fuel source that can keep your home warm all winter long.
Maple
Maple is another popular type of wood for home burning, and for good reason. Like oak, it burns hot and slow, and produces a lot of heat. Maple also has a pleasant aroma when burned, which can add to the ambiance of your living space. Maple is a hardwood, but it’s not quite as dense as oak, which means it can dry out a bit faster. It also produces less smoke than some other hardwoods, which means less creosote buildup in your chimney.
Cherry
Cherry wood is a softer hardwood than oak or maple, but it still burns hot and produces a lot of heat. It also has a pleasant aroma when burned, which can add to the ambiance of your home. Cherry wood can dry out faster than some denser woods, but it can produce more smoke than oak or maple. It’s still a good choice for burning, but you should be prepared to clean your chimney more frequently if you burn cherry wood regularly.
Birch
Birch wood is a popular choice for burning because it’s readily available and relatively inexpensive. It burns hot and produces a lot of heat, but it’s a softer wood than oak or maple, which means it won’t last quite as long. Birch also produces more smoke than oak or maple, which means more ash buildup in your chimney. If you’re on a tight budget, birch wood can be a good home burning wood choice, but you should be prepared to clean your chimney more frequently.
Ash
Ash wood is another popular choice for home burning wood, especially in wood stoves. It burns hot and produces a lot of heat, and it’s a relatively dense hardwood, which means it can last a bit longer than some softer woods. Ash also produces a low amount of smoke, which means less ash buildup in your chimney. Ash wood can be a bit more expensive than some other types of wood, but it’s worth the investment for its heat-producing capabilities.
Hickory
Hickory wood is a popular choice for outdoor fire pits and barbecues, but it can also be used for home burning wood in wood stoves and fireplaces. It burns hot and produces a lot of heat, and it has a distinct smoky aroma that can add to the ambiance of your living space. Hickory is a hardwood, but it’s not quite as dense as oak or ash, which means it can dry out a bit faster. It also produces more smoke than some other hardwoods, which means more ash buildup in your chimney.
Choosing the right wood for your wood stove or fireplace can make a big difference in how warm and cozy your home feels. Oak and maple are popular choices for their heat-producing capabilities and low smoke output. Cherry and birch can be good choices if you’re on a tight budget, but they can produce more smoke and ash buildup. Ash wood is a great choice if you’re willing to pay a bit more, while hickory offers a distinctive aroma and is popular for outdoor burning. Whichever wood you choose, be sure to let it dry out completely before burning, and always use a fireplace screen or wood stove insert to keep embers from sparking. Stay safe, and enjoy your cozy fire!
To learn about chimney cleaning, read our blog post!