Best Types of Firewood: Fireplace, Campfire, Smoking & Heating | Old Potters

Not all firewood is the same.  

The wood that burns hot and clean in a fireplace can produce bitter smoke in a smoker, while the wood that smells great over a campfire may not heat a room like you’d expect. Understanding the different types of firewood helps you avoid choosing the wrong one for your specific use case. 

Below, we break down the best types of firewood for four common uses: indoor fireplaces, campfires and fire pits, BBQ smoking, and home heating. So whether you’re looking for the best wood for smoking meat or wondering which wood you should choose for extra warmth during cold winter months, we’ve got you covered. 

*All the species covered in this guide are properly dried hardwood, as moisture content plays a major role in burn quality, heat output, and smoke production. 

 Hardwood vs. Softwood Firewood: What You Need to Know 

Understanding the differences between hardwood and softwood firewood helps you choose the right wood for heat, cooking, or campfires. While hardwood is almost always the preferred option, here’s a quick overview of how they differ: 

Hardwood comes from deciduous trees, which means they shed their leaves annually. Popular hardwoods include oak, hickory, maple, and cherry. This type of wood has a higher density, meaning it burns slower and produces more heat, making it ideal for longer-lasting fires. 

Softwoods come from coniferous trees, meaning they bear their seeds in cones and often retain their needles year-round. Softwoods catch fire more quickly but burn faster and produce less heat than hardwood. Softwoods like pine and spruce also contain resin, which can create harsher smoke and even produce a bitter taste when used for cooking or smoking. 

Kiln-Dried vs. Seasoned Firewood 

To truly understand the different types of firewood, we also have to cover the differences between kiln-dried and seasoned firewood. 

Kiln-dried firewood is processed at controlled temperatures in an industrial drying process that typically takes only a couple of days. This wood is sterilized, meaning there’s a lower risk of pests or mold.  

It typically reaches moisture levels below 20%, with premium kiln-dried wood reaching approximately 12% moisture content. This lower moisture content means more energy goes into heat rather than evaporating as water, producing less smoke and creating a cleaner flavor for cooking and smoking. 

Seasoned firewood dries naturally in open air over an extended time, typically 6 to 12 months. The moisture content typically varies between 20% and 30%, and there’s a higher risk of mold and pests.  

Because the drying process depends on weather and storage conditions, moisture levels can vary significantly from one batch of seasoned wood to another. 

Firewood BTU Chart: Which Types Burn Hottest? 

British thermal units (BTU) measure the heat content of fuels or energy sources, with one BTU defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by 1°F. 

In firewood, knowing the BTU ratings of different wood species helps you understand the amount of heat energy a specific type of wood produces, allowing you to choose the right wood for your needs.  

As a general rule of thumb, higher BTU firewood produces more heat per cord, making it better for heating, while lower-BTU woods are often preferred for shorter fires or certain cooking applications. This is especially important when selecting kiln-dried cooking wood, since lower moisture levels help maximize heat output. 

Check out this chart to see how different types of firewood compare:

*Firewood BTU figures are approximate and vary by region, species, and moisture content. 

Best Firewood for Indoor Fireplaces 

An indoor fireplace requires wood that burns hot, produces minimal smoke, and doesn’t produce excessive sparks. Here are our top picks: 

1. White Oak 

Due to its clean burn and pleasant aroma, white oak is a popular wood for indoor heating. In fact, many consider it the best firewood for indoor fireplaces, as it burns slowly and produces steady, long-lasting heat with minimal smoke, making it ideal for maintaining a comfortable fire over extended periods. 

2. Hickory 

Hickory is one of the hottest-burning hardwoods, burning cleanly and also providing a pleasant aroma for indoor fires. Its high heat output and long burn time, combined with its classic crackling sound, make it a fan favorite for indoor heat. Its smoke is considered heavier than oak, meaning proper ventilation is a key factor for a pleasant experience. 

That said, both kiln-dried oak and hickory firewood are great options. 

3. Cherry 

Cherry is considered a moderate-burning hardwood, meaning it won’t burn as strongly as hickory but still provides steady, comfortable heat. It produces relatively low smoke and gives off a subtle, sweet aroma, making it great for warming indoor spaces. 

In addition to white oak, hickory, and cherry firewood, there are certain types of wood that should be avoided for indoor use, including softwoods, treated lumber, painted or stained wood, or any wood with visible mold, as these can release harmful compounds and increase chimney buildup. 

Best Firewood for Campfires and Fire Pits 

Campfire wood should be easy to light, produce a pleasant aroma, burn steadily without excessive sparks, and be manageable in size for outdoor use. Here’s what you should know: 

Best Firewood for Fire Pits 

Similar to indoor fireplaces, oak, hickory, and cherry are all excellent options for outdoor fire pits. Hickory is among the top options due to its long burn time, with its bold aroma well suited for outdoor spaces. 

We won’t go too far into detail between these three, as the comparisons for indoor heating also apply to fire pits and campfires. That said, when choosing between them, remember that hickory typically produces the hottest and longest-lasting fire, oak provides steady, reliable heat, and cherry offers a milder aroma with a moderate burn. 

Aside from the type of firewood, log size for campfires and fire pits is also a key consideration. Smaller pieces of wood are easier to handle, ignite faster, and maintain a manageable fire without constant tending. That’s why many opt for 8-inch kiln-dried cooking wood, though you must consider the unique size of your fire pit to determine the right size. 

Since pine and other softwoods tend to throw more sparks and produce more smoke than hardwoods, we recommend avoiding them when cooking over an open flame or when sitting close to the fire. 

Best Wood for Smoking Meat 

Smoking is where wood species selection has the most noticeable impact on the final product. Since every species of wood produces a different smoke flavor profile, understanding the types of wood for smoking meat can help you choose the right flavor for your dish.  

Best Cooking Wood by Species 

Not only are hickory, oak, and cherry some of our favorite woods for smoking, but they’re also common choices among experienced barbecuers.

• Hickory: Hickory is characterized by a bold, heavy, savory smoke flavor that works well for larger cuts of meat but can be too strong for delicate proteins like fish. While it offers a classic BBQ flavor, hickory firewood can be overpowering, which can make it more challenging for beginners since they must learn how to keep the flavor balanced.
• Cherry wood for smoking: Cherry firewood is mild and fruity, with a slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with poultry, pork, and fish. Experienced barbecuers also use cherry wood in blends, such as oak and cherry, to balance flavors.
• Oak: Oak wood has a medium smoke flavor with an earthy undertone. It’s considered highly versatile for smoking, making it a great complement to most proteins. 

Wood-to-Meat Pairing Guide 

For low-and-slow smoking, smoking wood chunks are generally recommended over whole logs, as they produce consistent smoke without requiring constant adjustment. 

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

Want a full smoking wood guide? 

Choosing the right wood is only one part of achieving a great smoke and authentic flavor that takes your dishes to the next level.  

For a full breakdown covering wood prep, temperature control, smoke duration by protein, and common mistakes to avoid, check out our complete guide to smoking meat with cooking wood. 

Best Firewood for Home Heating 

Home heating places greater emphasis on maximum heat output and long burn times to keep a space warm for extended periods. This differs slightly from fireplace firewood, which is often chosen for clean burning, low smoke, and pleasant aroma rather than sustained overnight heat. 

1. Is hickory good firewood for heating? 

Yes, hickory is one of the top-rated types of firewood for home heating. It burns very hot and produces a long-lasting coal bed, making it ideal for maintaining steady heat. Because of its density, hickory should be kiln-dried to burn efficiently and minimize smoke. 

2. What wood burns longest? 

If you’re wondering what wood burns longest, you should choose dense hardwoods like hickory and oak, which are known for their long burn times and high heat output.  

Cherry is another good option, though it burns faster than hickory and oak, making it better suited for milder climates or supplemental heating.  

For the most consistent performance, many homeowners choose bulk kiln-dried firewood, which burns more efficiently thanks to its lower moisture content. 

Why Kiln-Dried Firewood Burns Better for Every Use 

Freshly cut wood typically contains about 40–60% moisture by weight, though some species can exceed this range. When wood is kiln-dried, most of this moisture is removed, meaning it doesn’t have to waste energy evaporating water instead of producing heat. 

As mentioned, kiln-dried cooking wood can reach approximately 12% moisture content, often outperforming even seasoned firewood through a more controlled drying process. 

This results in less creosote buildup in fireplaces, cleaner smoke flavor without bitterness when smoking meat, faster ignition and a more consistent burn in campfires, and more efficient heat output for home heating. 

Old Potters Premium Kiln-Dried Firewood 

At Old Potters, we offer several types of kiln-dried firewood to meet a wide range of needs, including kiln-dried oak, hickory, and cherry in multiple formats. 

From 8-inch logs for grills and fire pits to 16-inch logs for fireplaces, smoker chunks for smoking your favorite meats, and half-cord bulk pallets for home heating, all of our wood is kiln-dried to approximately 12% moisture content for consistent performance. 

Explore our premium cooking wood collection to choose the firewood that best matches your unique use case.