Best wood for solid fuel appliances
Which wood is the best for burning? Which wood is best value for your money? Here at Mark 1 Installations we're put together a list of the best types of wood to use for you solid fuel appliances. Our services are available across Paignton and the surrounding areas.
Choosing the right wood for your stove
Here at Mark 1 Installations, your trusted experts in wood-burning stoves and solid fuel appliances, we know that choosing the right wood for your stove is crucial to ensure optimal performance and efficiency. In this guide, we have categorised various types of wood based on their burning qualities. Whether you're looking for wood with a slow burn and high heat output or a wood that is ideal for kindling, we have the information you need to make an informed decision.
Very good burning woods
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Ash: Reckoned by many to be one of best woods for burning. It produces a steady flame and good heat output. It can be burnt when green but like all woods, it burns best when dry.
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Beech: Burns very much like ash, but does not burn well when green.
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Hawthorn: Is a good traditional firewood that has a slow burn with good heat output.
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Rowan: Is a good burning wood that has a slow burn with good heat output.
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Thorn: One of the best woods for burning. It produces a steady flame and very good heat output, and produces very little smoke.
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Yew: A good burning wood as it has a slow burn, and produces a very good heat output.
Good burning woods
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Apple: A very good wood that bums slow and steady when dry, it has small flame size, and does not produce sparking or spitting.
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Birch: Produces good heat output but it does burn quickly. It can be burnt unseasoned; however the sap can cause deposits to form in the flue with prolonged use.
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Blackthorn: Has a slow burn, with good heat production.
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Cedar: Is a good burning wood that produces a consistent and long heat output. It burns with a small flame, but does tend to crackle and spit and the sap can cause deposits to form in the flue with prolonged use.
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Cherry: Is a slow to burn wood that produces a good heat output. Cherry needs to be seasoned well.
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Hazel: Is a good but fast burning wood and produces best results when allowed to season.
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Hornbeam: A good burning wood that burns similar to beech, slow burn with a good heat output.
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Horse Chestnut: A good wood for burning in wood stoves but not for open fires as it does tend to spit a lot. It does however produce a good flame and heat output.
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Lilac: Its smaller branches are good to use as kindling, the wood itself burns well with a good flame.
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Maple: Is a good burning wood that produces good flame and heat output.
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Oak: Because of its density, oak produces a small flame and very slow burn, it is best when seasoned for a minimum of two years as it is a wood that requires time to season well.
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Pear: Burns well with good heat output, however it does need to be seasoned well.
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Pine Species: (Including Leylandii) Burns with a good flame, but the resin sap can cause deposits to form in the flue and can increase the risk of a chimney fire must be well seasoned. (use with caution)
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Plum: A good burning wood that produces good heat output.
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Rhododendron: The older and thick stems can burn well.
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Robinia (Acacia): Is a good burning wood that has a slow burn with good heat output. It does produce an acrid and dense smoke but this is of course not a problem in a stove.
Medium burning woods
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Elm: Is a wood that can follow several burn patterns because of high moisture content, it should be dried for two years for best results. Elm is slow to get going and it may be necessary to use a better burning wood to start it off. Splitting of logs should be done early.
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Larch: Produces a reasonable heat output, but it needs to be well seasoned. The sap can cause deposits to form in the flue with prolonged use.
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Laurel: Burns with a good flame but only reasonable heat output. It needs to be well seasoned.
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Sycamore: Produces a good flame, but with only moderate heat output. Should only be used well-seasoned.
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Sweet Chestnut: The wood burns ok when well-seasoned but it does tend to spit a lot. This is of course not a problem in a stove.
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Tulipwood: Burns well when dry but quickly, from the Poplar family.
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Walnut: is a moderate to good burning wood.
Poor burning woods
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Alder: Produces poor heat output and it does not last well.
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Chestnut: A poor burning wood that produces a small flame and poor heat output.
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Douglas Fir: A poor burning wood that produces a small flame and poor heat output and the sap can cause deposits to form in the flue with prolonged use.
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Elder: A poor burning wood that produces a small flame and poor heat output.
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Eucalyptus: Is a fast burning wood. The sap can cause deposits to form in the flue and can increase the risk of a chimney fire if burned unseasoned.
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Holly: Is a fast burning wood that produces good flame but poor heat output. Holly will burn green, but best dried for a minimum of a year.
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Laburnum: A very smoky wood with a poor burn.
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Lime: Not a good wood for burning as it produces very little flame or heat output.
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Poplar: A very smoky wood with a poor burn.
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Spruce: Produces a poor heat output and it does not last well.
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Willow: A poor fire wood that does not burn well even when seasoned.
