Ever wonder why some firewood burns like a furnace and keeps you warm all night while other logs seem to fizzle out too quickly? It all comes down to BTUs. Firewood BTUs—or British Thermal Units—are a fancy way of measuring how much heat a piece of wood puts out. Understanding BTUs can help you pick the best firewood for your needs, whether you’re heating your home, cooking, or just enjoying a cozy fire pit.
What Are BTUs, Anyway?
Think of BTUs as the “heat score” of firewood. The higher the BTU, the more heat the wood produces. High-BTU firewood burns hotter and longer, making it perfect for heating your home. On the other hand, low-BTU firewood burns quickly and is better for short, casual fires or kindling.
Firewood That Burns Long and Hot
If you’re looking for wood that’ll keep your fire going for hours, go with one of these high-BTU hardwoods:
Oak: The heavyweight champ of firewood. Oak burns hot, steady, and long, putting out 24-28 million BTUs per cord. It’s perfect for wood stoves, fireplaces, and overnight fires.
Hickory: This wood is a heat beast, producing 27-30 million BTUs per cord. It’s also amazing for cooking, adding a smoky flavor to your BBQ.
Black Locust: Hard to beat for heat and burn time, black locust gives you 26-28 million BTUs per cord. Plus, it burns super clean.
Maple: Sugar maple delivers solid heat (24-26 million BTUs per cord) and burns steadily, making it a reliable choice.
Beech: Not as famous as oak or hickory, but it’s a solid performer at 22-27 million BTUs per cord.
Firewood for Quick, Bright Fires
Need something that lights up fast and burns bright? These low-BTU softwoods are your go-to:
Pine: A quick igniter with about 15-17 million BTUs per cord. Great for kindling or short fires but burns out fast.
Cedar: The smell alone is worth it. Cedar burns bright, smells amazing, and produces about 12-15 million BTUs per cord. Perfect for ambiance fires.
Fir: Clean-burning and easy to light, fir gives you 16-18 million BTUs per cord. It’s ideal for outdoor fires or quick warmth.
What Affects Firewood BTUs?
Moisture Content: Wet wood = wasted energy. Freshly cut wood spends most of its burn evaporating water, so always go for seasoned firewood with less than 20% moisture.
Wood Density: Denser woods pack more energy, which means higher BTUs. That’s why oak and hickory outlast softer woods like pine.
Log Size: Bigger logs burn slower and longer, while smaller pieces ignite quickly but burn out faster.
Picking the Right Firewood for Your Needs
If you’re heating your home, go with high-BTU hardwoods like oak or hickory—they’ll keep the fire burning strong and steady. For quick fires or kindling, softwoods like pine or cedar do the trick. And if you’re cooking, hickory and maple are top picks for their clean burn and smoky flavor.
Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Firewood
Season It Right: Properly dried wood burns hotter, cleaner, and more efficiently. Stack it off the ground, cover the top, and let it dry for at least 6-12 months.
Split It Smart: Smaller splits are easier to light and season faster, but keep some larger logs on hand for those long burns.
Mix It Up: Start your fire with quick-burning softwoods, then add dense hardwoods to keep it going.
Final Thoughts
Firewood BTUs might sound technical, but it’s really just about getting the most heat and value from your woodpile. If you’re heating your home, stick with hardwoods like oak or hickory. Need a quick, cozy fire? Pine or cedar has you covered. The right firewood makes all the difference, so choose wisely and enjoy every burn!