What Is the Best Wood for Fireplaces?

Fireplace owners of young and old are constantly wondering the same thing: what is the best wood for fireplaces? Since hotter fire produces a hotter house, it is definitely worth your money to have the right kind of wood for your fireplace. Other benefits to the best wood include less creosote in the chimney and less air pollution.

Hardwood - an easy choice

If you truly enjoy a good fire, consider using hardwoods like walnut, eucalyptus, madrone and black oak. While a cord of hardwood is more expensive, the wood makes up for it in the quality. You actually get more value overall with the hardwood - almost twice the fire for your money. Since hardwoods are denser, they give out more fuel in the same amount of space. If hardwood is properly seasoned, they burn hotter and longer in your grate. Stoves or fireplaces are able to sustain higher temperatures for a longer period of time with hardwoods.

Keeping kindling on hand

If you decide to go with hardwoods for your fireplace, make sure you have a large supply of good kindling on your log racks. It is difficult to start a fire with hardwoods unless you have a different kind of wood to get the flame underway. Material from a fir tree is a great source of kindling. As you make your purchases, check BTU charts to discover the hottest burning woods that give off the highest amount of BTU's. You can then see exactly how your money is spent.

While many woods are available for home fires, hardwood is ultimately an option well worth considering. The density and value make it a great choice.