Best Firewood to Burn in Your Fireplace

Published on 26 January 2024

Posted in Firewood

Log Dog isn’t just about delivering seasoned firewood – we’re passionate about creating the perfect ambiance in your home. A crackling fire shouldn’t come with smoke, sparks, or frustration, and choosing the right firewood makes all the difference. But where do you start? Hardwood offers the best burning experience for most fireplaces due to their density and reduced moisture content. Let’s explore this further. 

Hardwood vs. Softwood: The Burning Truth

Seasoned firewood falls into two main categories: hardwood and softwood. While both can technically be used, hardwoods are the clear winners for fireplaces.

Why Hardwoods Reign Supreme

Dense and Long-Burning

Hardwoods like oak, hickory, and maple are denser, packing more heat into each log.This translates to longer burn times to keep your fire cosy for extended periods.

Clean and Smokeless

Seasoned hardwoods contain less moisture and burn cleaner to produce minimal smoke and fewer harmful emissions. This keeps your fireplace and chimney healthier and reduces the risk of creosote buildup.

Hot and Steady Heat

Hardwoods burn hotter and steadier than softwoods to provide reliable warmth for your home. No more fluctuating temperatures or chasing elusive bursts of heat.

Top Hardwood Picks for Your Fireplace

Now that we know the basic benefits of choosing hardwood seasoned firewood for your fire, it’s time to assess what choices of wood you have:

• Oak: The classic choice, oak offers long burn times, high heat output, and a pleasant aroma.
• Hickory: Hickory is perfect for chilly nights and is known for its intense heat and signature smoky scent. 
• Maple: Burns hot and clean, with a beautiful flame and minimal smoke.
• Ash: Splits easily, ignites quickly, and produces hot, long-lasting fires.
• Birch: Excellent kindling wood due to its easy ignition, but also burns well as firewood.

Softwood’s Place in the Fireplace

While not ideal for primary burning, softwoods like pine and cedar do have their uses:

• Kindling: Their resinous nature makes them perfect for getting your fire started quickly. Here at Log Dog, all of our kindling firewood is made from recycled pine pallets to offer a sustainable, quality burning experience. 
• Aromatic Touch: Some softwoods have pleasant scents that can enhance the fireplace experience. We’d recommend using these sparingly to avoid excessive smoke.

Remember: Always ensure your firewood is seasoned for at least 6 months before burning. Seasoned wood burns cleaner, hotter, and more efficiently, making your fireplace experience truly enjoyable. Storing your firewood is also absolutely crucial and it’s best to go for a dry, well-ventilated area to maintain optimal dryness and burning quality.

Log Dog: Your Trusted Firewood Partner

Log Dog offers a wide selection of premium, seasoned hardwoods to fuel your perfect fire. All of our products offer quality alongside affordability, whilst remaining sustainably sourced for maximum environmental friendliness. 

Order firewood in Banbury with Log Dog or contact us to discuss your needs and find the ideal firewood for your cosy moments. Let Log Dog help you turn up the heat on comfort and ambiance!

Back to News