Best Firewood to Burn? - Firewood Manitoba (2024)

FAQs

What is the best firewood in Manitoba? ›

The primary pine species sold in Manitoba for firewood is Jack pine. Red pine has Slightly less heat output than jack pine and will snap and pop more than Jack pine. Because it is less dense, pine kindles and splits easily and dries quickly. For this reason, pine is useful to mix in with hardwood species.

Most types of hardwood, for instance Ash (generally regarded as the best), Birch, Beech, Oak and Elm can be used. However, avoid burning woods with a high resin content. As a rule of thumb, the heavier the wood, then the greater the heat output and the longer burn time – the time between refills.

Dense hardwoods like maple and oak have a higher energy content per cord and so release more heat per firebox load. They also produce long-lasting fires and coal beds. Softer woods like pine, spruce and poplar are less dense, burn faster and do not produce a long- lasting coal bed when burned.

When asking which wood burns the hottest the answer is still ash, even if the wood isn't completely dry. Beech: As one of the best fire logs for fireplaces and also topping the best firewood for heat, this is second to ash only because it needs to be seasoned. Hawthorn: Very much like beech.

The dominant coniferous species are black spruce, jack pine, white spruce, tamarack and balsam fr. Trembling aspen, white birch and balsam poplar are the most common deciduous species. The northern part of this ecozone is largely treeless, though areas further south grow open forest.

Seasoned hardwoods make the best firewood. Hardwoods like oak, cherry and maple are denser than softwoods like pine or cedar. Due to their density, they burn longer and produce more heat or BTUs.

Wood from toxic trees and woody shrubs - some trees and shrubs are just not meant to be burned (e.g., cherry, elder, horse chestnut, laburnum, oleander, rhododendron, and yew, etc.,) Wood with vines or ivy - these plants are toxic, and burning them is a bad idea.

Softwoods such as Birch can be good, fast-burning types that produce a lot of flame, but go quickly and with less heat value, while seasoned hickory burns slowly and gives off heat, but smells up the house. Oak is the best choice for the hottest, cleanest-burning wood.

Contrary to popular opinion, the hardwood's, like oak and poplar , created MORE creosote than the softwoods, like tamarack and pine. The reason for this, is that if the softwoods are dry, they create a hotter, more intense fire. The draft created by the hotter fire moves the air up the chimney faster!

Ash: Low Smoke and Efficient Flames

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.

What are the three types of firewood? ›

There are 3 different types of firewood – green, seasoned, or kiln dried – and which type you use makes all the difference with the quality of your fire.

Softwood Logs

Softwoods are excellent to use as starter wood for a fire. They ignite quickly, burn cleanly, and leave behind a few embers. Softwood embers go cold quickly—they don't smolder the way hardwood embers do. According to research, softwoods leave behind less creosote in the chimney flue than hardwoods.

Typed of Wood That Don't Burn Well in Your Fireplace

Alder: This wood is just a lot of work for no results. Alder burns quickly and doesn't produce much heat. Chestnut: Produces a lot of smoke and a weak flame. Gum: Prone to producing sparks, which can become a fire hazard.

Conifer wood tends to spit excessively when fresh, so is best used for sealed wood burning stoves, again there are exceptions. Many conifers also cause an oily, sticky 'soot' to form inside the chimney which can increase the risks of chimney fires.

Despite it's confusion, Manitoba Maple makes good firewood, but split and dry for 2 years. The bark is impervious to water and the wood will rot before it dries if not split. It is shade tolerant so it can be part of a 'I don't want to lose my entire forest' plan with older chunks of poplar bush.