A wood-burning stove, known simply as a wood burner in the United Kingdom, is a common household appliance that produces by heat by burning wood. Wood is placed inside the stove -- typically made of cast iron or stainless steel -- where it's burned to produce heat. Some wood-burning stoves also feature an area on top for cooking. Whether you use it to warm your home or cook dinner, though, you'll need to choose the right type of wood for your stove. While you can burn most natural, untreated wood in a stove, some varieties are better to burn than others.
Oak
You can't go wrong when using oak in a wood-burning stove. Properly seasoned or dried oak burns long and hot while emitting a pleasant aroma in the process. Some homeowners burn oak in their stove specifically for this aroma. As oak burns, it releases a fragrant aroma that fills the surrounding air to create a more enjoyable environment. And considering that there are more than 600 species of oak, you shouldn't have trouble finding some for your stove.
Kiln-Dried Hickory
Another excellent choice of wood for a wood-burning stove is kiln-dried hickory. This heavy, dense hardwood is often the preferred choice among homeowners looking to fire up their stove. Not only does firewood for sale produce incredible heat when burned; it also burns longer than most other types of wood. Furthermore, the kiln-drying process is highly effective at removing moisture from hickory, thereby protecting the wood from pests, fungi and decay. When the temperature begins to drop and you're looking to warm your home, consider using hickory for these reasons.
Cherry
Like oak, cherry wood produces a pleasing, fragrant aroma when burned. However, it also produces a surprising amount of heat. According to some reports, a single cord of cherry wood -- a 4 foot-by-8-foot stack that's 16 inches deep -- can produce up to 20 million British Thermal Units (BTUs) of heat when burned. For the bone-chilling winter months, this makes cherry a great choice to consider burning in your stove. With that said, cherry has a slightly lower burn time than oak and hickory. As long as you keep an adequate supply of firewood on hand, though, this shouldn't prevent you from using and enjoying your wood-burning stove.
Pecan
You can also burn pecan wood in your stove. Harvested from the pecan tree, this wood is typically used for smoking meats and foods because of its flavorful qualities. With its ability to burn hot for several hours, though, it's also a great source of fuel for a wood-burning stove. You can buy pecan wood in small chunks to keep your stove going throughout the day or night.
Other Types of Wood to Burn
Oak, hickory, cherry and pecan are just a few of the best types of wood to burn in a stove. Ash is another popular choice. Harvested from the ash tree, of which there's about 50 to 65 species worldwide, ash burns slow and creates moderate heat. It creates a distinct, green-hued flame as it burns, adding to the fire's ambiance. Additionally, ash creates a fragrant aroma when burned that many people compare to springtime flowers.
Finally, maple wood is commonly used in wood-burning stoves. There are about 120 different species of maple, some of which are classified as hardwood and others classified as softwood, but most share some common characteristics. When burned in a stove, maple produces steady, moderate heat to warm the surrounding space.
For the hottest temperatures and longest burn time, it's recommended that you choose kiln-dried wood for your stove. Kiln-drying is a more advanced drying process that removes a greater amount of moisture from firewood. Traditionally, firewood has been seasoned by exposing it to air for a specific length of time. With kiln drying, firewood is placed into a large chamber where it's exposed to controlled heat. As the firewood heats up, moisture is released without causing the wood to ignite and burn. The end result is kiln-dried firewood that burns hotter, lasts longer and better protected against pests and fungi than traditionally seasoned firewood. To create the best possible fire in your stove, stick with kiln-dried firewood, such as our hickory wood for sale.
Can I Burn Wood Lying Around My Yard?
If you have some of the aforementioned wood lying around your yard or property, you may feel inclined to toss it into your stove. Unless it's been seasoned and properly stored, though, this isn't the best idea. It may contain mold and microorganisms that release a toxic smoke when burned. So, stick with high-quality, kiln-dried firewood for the best possible experience.
Visit the Cutting Edge Firewood order page today to order high-quality firewood for wood-burning your stove or fire pit. Whether you're searching for oak, hickory, cherry or pecan, we've got you covered!
