After spending a fair share of time tending to outdoor fires, I’ve learned a thing or two about which woods are worth their weight in gold and which ones don’t quite measure up.
Let me tell you, the type of firewood can make all the difference between a quiet fireside experience and a little pyrotechnic display.
It’s not entirely wrong to want crackling fire and dancing embers, as long as you play it safe. And if that’s what you’re after, the right firewood can deliver exactly that.
If you can afford to be picky, I’m giving you the best kind of wood for a fire pit.
Hardwood vs. Softwood
Grab two same-sized logs from each category, and you’ll immediately feel the difference—hardwood is heavier. That’s because it’s denser and packed with more wood fibers per square inch.
Hardwood comes from mighty deciduous trees, broad-leaved species that shed foliage seasonally. When you want a fire that burns longer, hotter, and more quietly through the night, hardwoods are your go-to.
They may take a bit longer to get going, but the payoff is worth it, with minimal ash and smoke to contend with.
Meanwhile, softwoods are your evergreen conifers, best known for their cones and needle-shaped leaves. They can ignite in a flash, so you’ll have a fiery blaze that’ll have you feeling toasty in no time.
But don’t be fooled by their quick start. Softwoods burn fast and furious, but you might be scrambling for more before you know it.
Sure, they’re cheaper and more readily available, but sometimes you get what you pay for.
Best Types of Wood for a Fire Pit
Before we dive into our list, let’s clarify one thing: what you need for your fire pit is seasoned wood.
When I say seasoned, I mean letting the wood dry out properly. So, here are some of the best woods for a fire pit:
1 – Oak
Oak is an excellent pick for firewood, especially in North America, where it’s abundant. It burns remarkably clean when dry.
Because the wood is so dense, oak will keep you warm and mesmerized for hours. However, it does need 1–2 years to season.
2 – Maple
Maple is easy to split when green, which makes it convenient for processing.
Except for sugar maple, most varieties produce less smoke and rogue sparks. The glowing coals can go on all night, with plenty left to stoke the flames again come morning.
Fun Tip: Cooking barbecue over burning maple infuses the meat with a subtle smoky flavor from the wood’s sweet lingering smell.
3 – Elm
Elm isn’t very sappy, so you won’t end up with sticky hands handling it. Once seasoned, it burns with moderate smoke and minimal sparks, which is safer for you and your campfire buddies.
Plus, it forms good coals, perfect for those long, overnight burns. The downside?
Elm is notoriously hard to split. But hey, with a sharp axe and some elbow grease, you’ll get a solid workout in the process.
4 – Cedar
Well-seasoned cedar produces moderate smoke. It emits a pleasant aroma, with different species offering unique scents ranging from earthy to woody.
Cedar can crackle and pop because of the pockets of resin tucked in the wood. The moisture turns into steam until it bursts open when mixed with oxygen in the air.
So watch how close you get to the fire pit!
5 – Pine
Pine’s selling point is its sweet smell when burned. You can find it pretty much anywhere in the U.S., so it’s more affordable.
It’s a breeze to light up and gets the heat going fast, perfect for taking the chill out of those cold evenings.
Just keep in mind it burns out quickly, so you’ll need to add more if you want a longer-lasting fire.
Pine doesn’t give off as much heat as most woods in this list. However, it’ll keep you cozy enough if you live somewhere with mild winters or are just warming in between seasons.
6 – Birch
Birch creates a huge blaze, which means tons of heat for epic bonfires on chilly nights.
The paper-like silvery bark of birch provides the perfect kindling. And the wood burns steadily, so expect a roaring fire without fail.
Burning birch gives off a sweet, fresh scent to make your fireside experience even more enjoyable.
7 – Ash
Ash has got a little bit of everything. It features the aesthetic appeal and easy-lighting properties of birch and the long burn time of oak.
Ashwood gives off a pleasant, strong flame that’ll brighten even the dreariest of winter nights. It burns nice and steady for a long time, so you get more bang for your buck.
Best of all, it has a subtle aroma that won’t overwhelm the senses.
Worst Types of Wood for a Fire Pit
You should never toss these woods into your fire pit:
1 – Green and Unseasoned Wood
You’ll want to steer clear of green or unseasoned wood. This wood is chock-full of resin or sap, which means it’s still pretty wet.
It hasn’t had the chance to properly dry out, meaning it’ll produce excessive smoke and less heat. Also, it’s hard to get it lit, and even when you do, it tends to burn erratically.
If you spot any green and the wood feels damp, the wood isn’t ready for the fire pit.
Timber needs at least 6–9 months to season before it’s good to burn. Buy your firewood a season ahead to give it ample time to dry out.
2 – Driftwood
The EPA advises against using driftwood to start a fire. Driftwood has been soaking in sea salt for who knows how long.
Burning it releases the nasty chemical dioxin, a known carcinogenic. You don’t want to inhale it, especially if you already have asthma or bronchitis.
And if you’re thinking of roasting marshmallows over your fire pit, think again. Food can absorb dioxin, which can build up in your body over time.
3 – Treated Lumber
Burning treated wood, including stained and painted lumber, is a significant health risk.
The fumes contain chemicals that are harmful when inhaled, including arsenic, copper, and chromium. And they’re just as bad for the environment.
How Long Does Wood Burn in the Fire Pit?
The burn time of wood isn’t a simple equation. It depends on various factors, including the kind, thickness, and whether the wood is properly seasoned.
The airflow in the fire pit and how you arrange the logs can also play a role here. But generally, denser woods burn slower and for longer stretches.
Take oak and ash, for example. They can keep the fire pit smoldering for 5–8 hours. Cherry and maple also have decent burn times, lasting 4–7 hours.
Meanwhile, softwood has a gooey, tacky substance called resin. When conifers like pines and firs get cut or nicked, this amber-colored resin oozes out of the bark to fend off insects and diseases.
Resin is flammable, making softwood go up in flames super fast. But because softwood is lighter, it fizzles out more quickly too.
Final Thoughts
So, what kind of wood is best for a fire pit?
Clearly, hardwood like ash, maple, and oak makes the best firewood. They burn hotter, longer, and cleaner, with way less sparks and smoke.
Softwood might give you a quick burst of flames, but hardwood has tamer flames that can keep going for hours.
But I’ve got to admit, it’s pretty handy to have softwood around.
Seasoned pine and cedar are perfect for kindling and sustaining your hardwood. And let’s not forget their pleasant woodsy scent.
Having both for your next fireside party? That’s the ultimate fire pit hack!