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If you’re the proud owner of a chiminea, you already know the warmth and ambiance it brings to your garden. However, what you burn in your chiminea matters more than you might think. The type of firewood you choose can significantly affect heat output, smoke levels, and even the longevity of your chiminea. Selecting the right firewood is key to maximising efficiency while minimising smoke and maintenance.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through the best firewood for chimineas and what to avoid. Whether you have a cast iron or clay chiminea, we’ll help you choose the ideal wood to keep your garden heater burning efficiently and safely.
Why Choosing the Right Firewood Matters for Chimineas
Choosing the correct firewood is essential for several reasons:
- Heat Efficiency: Different woods burn at different temperatures. The right wood will provide optimal heat, making your chiminea a more effective outdoor heater.
- Smoke and Creosote: Poor wood choices can lead to excessive smoke and creosote build-up, which can block the chimney or damage your chiminea over time.
- Longevity: Softwoods and unseasoned wood can damage your chiminea by causing cracks (in clay models) or rust (in cast iron ones).
You can read all about why chimineas smoke in our article How to stop a chiminea smoking?
Factors to Consider When Choosing Firewood
1. Seasoned Wood vs. Unseasoned Wood
Seasoned wood has a moisture content of less than 20%, making it ideal for chimineas. It burns cleaner, hotter, and produces less smoke than unseasoned wood.
Unseasoned wood, with its high moisture content, burns poorly, smokes heavily, and can cause creosote build-up, which could damage your chiminea and require more maintenance.
2. Hardwood vs. Softwood
Hardwoods like oak, ash, and beech are denser, burn longer, and produce more heat, making them excellent for chimineas. They are also low in sap, which helps minimise smoke and creosote.
Softwoods such as pine and fir, while easier to light, burn quickly and produce more creosote due to their high sap content. They’re better suited for kindling than for a long-lasting fire.
3. Aroma and Smoke Levels
Hardwoods like apple and cherry produce pleasant aromas, adding to the ambiance. They also burn cleaner than softwoods, which tend to create more smoke.
Top 5 Firewoods for Chimineas
Here are the top choices of firewood that will ensure efficient, long-lasting burns with minimal smoke in your chiminea:
1. Oak
Oak is a dense hardwood that burns slowly and generates intense heat. Its density ensures long, steady burns, making it ideal for keeping your outdoor space warm on cool evenings. Properly seasoned oak produces little smoke, ensuring a cleaner burn.
Pros: Long burn time, high heat output, minimal smoke
Cons: Takes longer to season, can be harder to ignite
2. Ash
Ash is a favourite among chiminea owners. It burns cleanly and is relatively easy to light, even when slightly green. However, fully seasoned ash is preferred as it produces better heat and less smoke.
Pros: Burns clean, easy to light, moderate burn time
Cons: Moderate heat output compared to oak, can be more expensive
3. Beech
Beech is an excellent choice for chimineas as it burns hot and produces very little smoke when seasoned. It’s known for its consistent burn, making it a reliable option for long outdoor gatherings.
Pros: High heat, steady burn, low smoke
Cons: Can be harder to season
4. Apple
Applewood is well-known for its fragrant aroma, making it perfect for creating an enjoyable chiminea experience. While it may not burn as hot as oak or beech, its long burn time and pleasant scent make it a popular choice.
Pros: Lovely aroma, long burn time, minimal smoke
Cons: Can be expensive, harder to source
5. Cherry
Cherry wood offers a sweet, mild fragrance, which enhances the outdoor experience. Like apple, it produces less heat than oak but burns steadily and creates an inviting atmosphere around your chiminea.
Pros: Sweet aroma, good burn time, relatively low smoke
Cons: Lower heat output than oak or beech
Woods to Avoid in Your Chiminea
Not all wood is suitable for chiminea use. Here are some woods you should avoid:
1. Pine
Pine burns quickly and produces a lot of creosote due to its high resin content. The creosote can build up in your chiminea and cause blockages or fire hazards.
2. Green Wood
Unseasoned or ‘green’ wood has a high moisture content, making it burn inefficiently, creating excess smoke and creosote build-up, which is detrimental to your chiminea.
3. Treated Wood
Treated or painted wood contains chemicals that can release toxic fumes when burned. It’s not only bad for your chiminea but also harmful to your health.
4. Driftwood
Driftwood is often laden with salt, which can corrode your chiminea and produce toxic fumes when burned.
How to Store Chiminea Firewood
Properly storing your firewood is crucial to ensure it stays dry and well-seasoned, ready to use when you need it.
- Keep it Dry: Store firewood in a dry place, preferably off the ground, and covered to protect it from rain.
- Allow Air Circulation: Make sure the sides of your wood stack are exposed to the air, allowing moisture to escape and preventing rot.
- Stack Neatly: Stack wood in an organised manner to promote airflow, ensuring faster and more thorough seasoning.
Maximising Chiminea Performance with the Right Firewood
Choosing the right firewood is essential, but there are a few more things you can do to ensure you get the best performance from your chiminea.
1. Start with Kindling
Use dry kindling, such as small sticks or twigs, to start your fire. Avoid paper, as it produces more smoke.
2. Maintain Airflow
Ensure your chiminea’s vents are open and not blocked, allowing proper airflow for efficient combustion.
3. Don’t Overload the Chiminea
A smaller, well-maintained fire will burn more efficiently and produce less smoke than an overloaded chiminea.
FAQs Best Firewood for Chimineas
What is the best firewood for chimineas?
The best firewood for chimineas includes seasoned hardwoods like oak, ash, and fruitwoods such as apple and cherry. These woods burn hot, last long, and produce minimal smoke.
Can I burn treated wood in a chiminea?
No, burning treated wood releases harmful chemicals that can damage your chiminea and harm your health.
How long should firewood be seasoned before use?
Firewood should be seasoned for at least 6-12 months to reduce its moisture content to below 20%, ensuring a clean, efficient burn.
Can I use softwood in a chiminea?
Softwood can be used for kindling but isn’t recommended for long burns as it produces more smoke and creosote.
How much firewood should I use in a chiminea?
For a safe and efficient burn, you should start with a small amount of firewood, typically 2-3 logs, and gradually add more as needed. Avoid overloading your chiminea, as this can reduce airflow and cause excessive smoke.
Can I cook food on a chiminea using firewood?
Yes, you can cook food on a chiminea using firewood, but it’s important to use untreated, clean-burning hardwoods like oak or apple. These woods provide a steady heat and won’t release harmful chemicals into your food. Fruitwoods like apple or cherry also impart a pleasant flavour to grilled or roasted foods.
How do I know if my firewood is properly seasoned?
Properly seasoned firewood has a moisture content of less than 20%. Signs of seasoned wood include cracks at the ends, a lighter weight, and a hollow sound when two pieces are knocked together. You can also use a moisture meter to check the wood’s moisture level.
Conclusion
Choosing the best firewood for chimineas is essential for safe, efficient, and enjoyable outdoor fires. Hardwoods like oak, ash, beech, and fruitwoods such as apple and cherry are perfect for long, clean burns with minimal smoke.
Avoid using green wood, pine, or treated wood to protect both your chiminea and your health. By selecting the right firewood and properly storing it, you can ensure that your chiminea continues to be a centrepiece of warmth and ambiance in your garden for many seasons to come.
You can buy hardwood for your chiminea here