Best Wood for a Fire Pit

The kind of logs you choose greatly influences the heat output of your fire pit or fire bowl. We've categorized wood types based on their burn efficiency to help you achieve a warm, clean fire with minimal smoke and splattering.

Remember, always opt for dry and well-seasoned logs. Wet wood can produce excessive smoke and hinder achieving an intense flame. While kiln-dried wood is a prime choice, it might be pricier. A combination of hard and medium woods typically provides the ideal blend of warmth and vibrant flames.

Best Woods for Burning

Ash: Highly regarded for burning, this wood has a minimal moisture level and can be ignited even when green. However, its optimal performance is observed when seasoned, offering a consistent burn.

Oak: A top-tier firewood, oak requires thorough seasoning, preferably over two years. It emits prolonged warmth and has a leisurely burn rate — ideal when combined with other dense woods. Start with smaller logs for ignition.

Birch: While birch ignites effortlessly, it burns quickly. To prolong the burn, pair it with woods that have a slower burn rate, like Elm or Oak. The bark of the birch serves as an effective fire starter.

Hawthorn: This wood offers a commendable burn and is recognized as reliable firewood.

Hazel: Hazel is outstanding once seasoned. It has a rapid burn rate, yet remarkably, it doesn’t spit.

Good Woods for Burning

Apple: Requires seasoning. Emits a pleasant aroma and burns efficiently without any sparks or spits.

Beech: Given its high moisture content, beech burns optimally only when seasoned.

Holly: Recognized as reliable firewood, holly can be burned even when green.

Hornbeam: Esteemed for its dependable burning properties.

Pear: Must be thoroughly seasoned. Offers a consistent burn, accompanied by a delightful scent, and spits minimally.

Plane: An acceptable choice for firewood, known for not spitting.

Rowan: Often regarded as a quality firewood, known for its effective burn.

Sycamore (Maples): Typically viewed as a favorable firewood due to its efficient burn.

Yew: Acknowledged as a decent firewood option.

Woods to Avoid for Burning

Horse Chestnut: Known for frequent spitting, it's typically seen as an inferior firewood choice.

Larch: Requires thorough seasoning. It tends to spit profusely and leaves a considerable amount of soot.

Pine: While pine burns efficiently, it's notorious for spitting and soot production. However, it can serve as effective softwood kindling.

Poplar: Often viewed as subpar firewood due to its production of dark smoke.

Spruce: Generally perceived as a low-grade firewood, it spits mainly because of its sap content.

Sweet Chestnut: When seasoned, it burns but is known for its excessive spitting. Not suitable for open fires.

Walnut: Typically classified as an inferior firewood.

Willow: Due to its high moisture content, willow needs meticulous seasoning to burn efficiently.