We get it. Who would want a fire that fizzles out quickly, blows smoke all over your house and only makes trouble? Not us. Bad wood is what causes that annoying, frustrating fire. And you don’t deserve that! What you need is the best wood for your fireplace.
If you want your home to stay warm all season with long-lasting, scorching fires, look no further! We’ve created this guide to help you know what makes the best wood for indoor fireplaces.
To get straight to the point, kiln-dried hardwood is the best wood for your fireplace. But there’s a lot more to it! Keep reading to learn the benefits of kiln-dried hardwood and how to keep it in the best condition! But first, you can learn about the premium kiln-dried firewood from Lumberjacks by clicking the button below.
Why Kiln-Dried Firewood Is Best for Your Fireplace
The best wood for your fireplace will always be kiln-dried firewood. This is because kiln-dried firewood has so many benefits that will keep your home warmer and cleaner.
Kiln-Dried Firewood vs. Seasoned Logs
Most people assume seasoned firewood is “good enough,” but there’s a big difference between air-dried wood and kiln-dried wood.
Seasoned wood sits outdoors for months, sometimes up to a year. It relies on weather and time to reduce moisture. That process is slow, inconsistent, and rarely gets the wood’s internal moisture below 25%. That’s why it’s not the best firewood to burn indoors.
Kiln-dried firewood is placed in a heat-controlled chamber to bring the moisture content down to 20% or less. The difference is immediately noticeable. Kiln-dried firewood lights easily, produces little smoke, and burns hotter than wood that’s been sitting under a tarp. It’s also more convenient and the best wood for indoor fireplaces.
No matter what type of wood you choose, you’ll want to ensure it’s been kiln-dried. If it’s not kiln-dried, it’s not worth your time! Here’s why:
Less Moisture Means Easier Ignition
Wood with high moisture levels will just cause you disappointment and frustration. Why? Wood that’s too moist is difficult to ignite. You might go through the entire match box just to get it started.
The firewood you find at gas stations or grocery stores often has too much moisture because it has been seasoned rather than kiln-dried. Seasoning is the lengthy process of allowing the wood to air-dry outdoors, which never gets the wood as dry as it should be.
Conversely, the controlled environment of a dry kiln always brings the wood’s moisture level down below 20%. Getting under that threshold is what you need to have a good fire. Now, you won’t spend forever trying to get it started! Instead, kiln-dried wood ignites quickly, and you can be sure your home will warm up fast.
You’ll Get Hotter and Longer-Lasting Flames
Another benefit of low moisture is that you’ll have the best fire! Not only will you easily ignite kiln-dried wood, but it will also give you a hot, long-lasting fire that’s worthy of putting your furnace out of a job.
Because of the low moisture, the flames won’t have to spend energy fighting water in the wood. Instead, the fire will burn efficiently, producing bright and hot flames in your fireplace.
When your firewood burns hotter and cleaner, it doesn’t just make your living room cozier; it also makes your home’s heating more efficient. The higher heat output from kiln-dried wood means your fireplace can actually supplement your furnace or central heating, saving you money over the course of the season.
Because the wood burns completely, you’ll also notice less soot on the glass doors of your fireplace and less ash to clean out afterward. You’ll get more heat and a longer burn out of each log because less energy will be wasted evaporating water.
For these reasons, many homeowners in the Midwest trust kiln-dried hardwood since it delivers dependable performance. You don’t have to settle for subpar fuel when you can get the best wood for indoor fireplace use.
Breathe Easier and Stay Healthy Without Smoke or Creosote
One of the top reasons kiln-dried firewood is the best wood for your fireplace is because it produces very little smoke! Now, you won’t have to worry about the fire alarms going off when you want to warm up on a cold night!
Less smoke means less maintenance, too. When your fire burns efficiently, you can go longer between chimney cleanings, saving time and money while extending the life of your chimney liner.
The low moisture content minimizes creosote buildup, which is the sticky, flammable residue that can lead to dangerous chimney fires if you don’t regularly clean it out.
Kiln-dried wood also makes the best fire logs for indoor fireplaces if you are concerned about allergies or have children with respiratory issues. The cleaner burn means fewer particulates in the air, which keeps your indoor environment more breathable and comfortable.
Safer to Bring Inside
You don’t want wood that brings in pests, mold, mildew, and pesticides from outside. Luckily, with kiln-dried firewood, you don’t have to worry about any of those. The kiln-drying process removes any pests from the wood. So, if you store your wood inside, bugs won’t be a problem.
Burning mold, mildew, or pesticides can also create unwanted toxins in your fireplace and home. But with kiln-dried wood, you can rest assured your fire is clean.
To truly have the best indoor fireplace wood, you need the right drying process and the right species of logs. The type of wood you choose determines how long your fire lasts and how much heat it gives off. The best indoor firewood will keep your home warm and cozy all night.
What is good wood for indoor fireplace use? Hardwoods are the answer. Here’s why.
Stay Warmer Longer With Hardwoods
The best type of wood for your fireplace is hardwood. Hardwood comes from trees that change colors and lose their leaves in the fall. Because they grow slowly, hardwoods produce dense and low-moisture wood. These characteristics are perfect for indoor burning, as hardy, dry wood produces the most heat and lasts the longest.
Each type of hardwood offers unique benefits. So while any kind of hardwood is the best wood to burn, you may choose a particular type for its accessibility, smell, or heat content. The most common types of hardwood used for indoor fireplaces are oak, ash, hickory, birch, and various fruitwoods.
Let’s take a look at the benefits of each:
Oak: Hottest and Longest-Lasting
When deciding what kind of wood to burn in your fireplace, oak is probably the top choice. Many people consider it the best indoor wood fireplace species. This is because oak burns the longest and produces the most heat out of all the different kinds of hardwood.
One cord of oak firewood produces around 29 million BTUs. That’s equal to burning 200-250 gallons of fuel oil! So, if you choose oak for your fireplace, your house will stay warm throughout the winter.
Because of the density of oak wood, it also burns for a very long time. Oak will give you the best and longest burn for your money. You could heat your home for an entire night without using many logs!
Oak also saves time and money due to how plentiful it is throughout Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. You will almost always be able to get a cord or two of oak kiln-dried firewood that’s perfect for warming your home during the cold season.
White oak and red oak compete for the title of the best firewood for indoor fireplaces. Because of its higher density, white oak tends to burn slightly longer. It’s perfect for overnight fires because it produces large, stable coals that radiate heat long after the flames die down.
Oak also has a neutral aroma that doesn’t overpower your space, making it a versatile option for everyday use throughout the winter.
Hickory: Clean Burn and Nice Aroma
Hickory is a close second choice to oak. It’s very similar because it also burns very hot and long. However, hickory also provides a pleasant aroma, while oak doesn’t produce a powerful smell. So if you want to warm your home and have a subtle scent, this is the best wood to burn in your fireplace.
Hickory also burns very clean because it has little moisture, which means you won’t get a lot of smoke. And even though the wood is quite dry, you’ll still get the classic firewood crackling sound from hickory firewood.
If you are trying to warm a large room or open-concept home, hickory can be a great choice since it actually burns hotter than oak. The flames are typically bright, steady, and clean-burning. The rich, subtle aroma enhances the atmosphere without being smoky.
If you love a strong, radiant fire that feels like an event in itself, hickory is the wood for you.
Ash: Low Smoke and Efficient Flames
Ash is another excellent option for your indoor fireplace. This type of wood produces a high amount of heat. And although it might not last as long as oak or hickory, it still burns steadily.
Ash is typically a top choice because it is easy to split on your own. It also doesn’t need to be seasoned for as long as other hardwood types. But if you choose kiln-dried firewood, you won’t have to worry about seasoning!
Unfortunately, this type of wood might be more challenging to find than oak or hickory. If you choose ash, it is best to combine it with other hardwoods for a hot and efficient fire.
Ash is a dependable, all-around performer that burns cleanly and splits easily. Even when not fully dried to optimal moisture content levels, it still burns better than most other woods. As a result, it’s a good choice for beginners.
When kiln-dried, ash logs produce strong, consistent heat with almost no smoke or popping. Its neutral scent and balanced heat output make it great for smaller living rooms or daily use.
Birch: Starts Quickly and Mixes Well
Homeowners like birch because it lights fast. The flames get going quickly, which means you can start warming your home. Yellow birch burns a bit longer and hotter, while white birch lights faster due to natural oils in its bark. It’s an excellent choice for starting a fire or mixing with denser woods like oak to get the best of both worlds.
Unfortunately, it also doesn’t burn for as long as other types of wood. For this reason, birch is a great option to start a fire, and the bark is excellent for tinder. However, to keep the wood burning, you’ll want to mix it with another type of firewood, like ash or oak. This helps to keep the fire hot and ensures it doesn’t burn out too fast.
Fruitwoods: Burn Hot and Smell Sweet
Apple, cherry, and pear wood are dense hardwoods that create warm, steady heat and a pleasant, sweet aroma. They also produce less ash than most woods. Because of their unique scent, fruitwoods are great for special occasions or for anyone who wants a naturally fragrant home while staying toasty by the fire.
Fruitwoods are great for special occasions because they make your home smell sweet. However, they are also more expensive than options like oak, so you would probably want to burn them sparingly.
Make Sure to Properly Store and Stack Your Wood
To ensure your kiln-dried hardwood stays pristine for an indoor fireplace, you’ll want to store and stack it properly.
Kiln-dried firewood is safe to store and stack inside your home.
Storage Best Practices
The best place to store firewood is indoors, as outdoor storage could allow moisture and invasive pests. If you opt to store your wood outdoors, we recommend storing it in a safely enclosed space where it’s off the ground.
It’s also best to pick a location that will stay dry. So, don’t store your wood in areas with too much shade or spots that get particularly wet during a storm. Most importantly, you’ll want to find a place where there’s plenty of direct sunlight.
Kiln-dried firewood is safe to store and stack inside your home.
Stacking Best Practices
Stacking is also important for keeping your wood in good condition. The best stacking methods help to maintain dryness, prevent pests, and make the wood easy to access.
Here are some principles to keep in mind when stacking:
- Elevate the stack off the ground.
- Keep a few feet of space around all sides of your stack to let it breathe.
- Keep pieces stacked loosely to one another with space in between for airflow.
It’s best to find an accessible place in your home to stack your wood. This keeps your wood away from rain, snow, bugs and mold. And you won’t have to go out in the cold to get your logs!
Why Proper Storage Matters
Kiln-dried wood is already in the ideal moisture range when you buy it. However, you’ve got to store it properly to keep it that way. If your wood sits directly on the ground or in a damp shed, it can reabsorb moisture and lose the benefits of kiln-drying. Keep your stacks elevated and covered on top. Leave the sides open for ventilation.
Don’t Get Cold, Get the Best Wood for Your Fireplace Today!
As you can see, kiln-dried hardwood is the absolute best wood for your indoor fireplace. You will stay very warm, and the fire will last a long time. And it can make your house smell good, too!
At Lumberjacks, we provide high-quality kiln-dried hardwood that will keep your home warm all season. If you want to stock up before the snow hits, contact us today, and we’ll prepare you for the cold winter.
This blog was originally published March 2024, but was updated to include more information.
