What is the Best Type of Wood for a Campfire?

Seasoned vs. Green:
Seasoned wood has been dried out, typically over six months to a year, and has a moisture content of 20% or less. Greenwood is freshly cut and has a high moisture content, making it harder to burn and more likely to produce smoke.

Hardwood vs. Softwood:
Hardwood comes from deciduous trees like oak and maple, while softwood comes from coniferous trees like pine and fir. Hardwoods are denser and burn longer, while softwoods ignite quickly and burn hotter but faster.

Oak: This hardwood is a versatile choice for your campfire needs. Known for its slow and steady burn, it produces a lot of heat and burns cleanly, making it ideal for long-lasting campfires. While it can be harder to ignite, consider using it with a softer wood to start the fire.

Maple: Another hardwood, maple burns hot and provides a long-lasting fire. It’s great for cooking because it produces minimal smoke and has a pleasant aroma.

Hickory: Hickory is one of the best woods for a campfire if you’re planning to cook. It burns hot and long and creates a delicious smoky flavor to food. It’s a bit harder to split, but the results are worth it.

Birch: Birch is easier to light than oak or maple and burns quickly and hot. It's a good option for starting a fire, and its bark can be used as a natural fire starter.

Cherry: Cherry wood burns slowly and produces a pleasant aroma and moderate heat. It's a good choice for a relaxing campfire experience and adds flavor to food.

Green Wood: It’s hard to burn and produces a lot of smoke.

Treated Wood: Any wood painted or treated with chemicals is dangerous to burn because it can release toxic fumes.

Driftwood: Driftwood from the ocean can contain salts that release harmful chemicals when burned.

Use a Mix: Start your fire with softwoods like birch and then add hardwoods like oak or hickory to keep it burning longer.

Keep It Dry: Ensure your firewood is dry and well-seasoned for the best burning experience.

Store Properly: Keep your firewood covered and off the ground to protect it from moisture.