Here is some information on a variety of wood types suitable for burning in a Burley wood-burning stove. Hard woods are best
Here’s a summary of the good options:
- Ash: Burns steadily with good heat output, even when green.
- Beech: Similar to ash, burns well even when green.
- Birch: Burns hot and fast with a pleasant smell.
- Blackthorn: Burns slowly with high heat output and low smoke.
- Cedar: Excellent heat output with a pleasant crackle.
- Cherry: Slow burning with good heat and a nice scent.
- Hawthorn: Burns hot and slow.
- Hazel: Excellent fast-burning firewood.
- Hornbeam: Burns hot and slow similar to beech.
- Maple: Good all-round firewood.
- Oak (seasoned): Excellent heat output, burns slowly and steadily.
- Pear (seasoned): Burns with good heat, good scent, and no spitting.
- Plum: Good heat with a nice scent.
- Robinia (seasoned): Burns slowly with good heat (acrid smoke is not a problem in a stove).
- Rowan: Burns hot and slow.
- Thorn: One of the best firewood options – slow burning with high heat and low smoke.
Woods to avoid:
- Elder: Poor heat output, acrid smoke, and folklore discourages burning.
- Poplar: Terrible fuel, burns poorly with black smoke.
- Spruce: Burns too quickly with excessive sparks.
- Willow: Poor burning even when seasoned.
Important Note: Always season firewood properly before burning. Seasoning time varies depending on the wood type.
