Choosing the Right Firewood for Your Fireplace or Stove

January 26, 2026

Choosing the right firewood for your fireplace or stove is more than just picking up a bundle from the local supplier. The type, quality, and preparation of firewood significantly impact your home’s comfort, energy efficiency, and safety. With so many options available, from hardwoods to softwoods, seasoned to green wood, understanding which firewood is best suited for your needs can make a noticeable difference in heat output, smoke production, and even the lifespan of your fireplace or stove. Selecting the wrong type can lead to excessive creosote buildup, reduced heating efficiency, and more frequent cleaning and maintenance.


Firewood selection also has a strong economic and environmental impact. Properly chosen and prepared wood burns cleaner and longer, reducing the need for frequent purchases and minimizing air pollutants. Additionally, knowing how to store and handle firewood correctly ensures optimal moisture content and consistent performance. This blog will provide a comprehensive guide to choosing the right firewood, exploring types, benefits, challenges, and best practices to help homeowners make informed decisions. By the end, you’ll be equipped with practical knowledge to enjoy efficient, safe, and enjoyable fires throughout the heating season.

Understanding Firewood Types – Hardwoods vs Softwoods

Hardwoods: Long-Lasting Heat

Hardwoods, including oak, maple, hickory, and birch, are dense woods that burn slowly and produce high, consistent heat for extended periods. Their density means more energy is stored per log, resulting in longer burn times, making them ideal for overnight fires or extended heating periods during cold winter nights. Hardwoods also produce less smoke and fewer sparks, contributing to safer indoor burning and less frequent cleaning of chimneys and fireplace interiors.


For example, oak can burn for several hours while maintaining steady, reliable heat, perfect for cold winter nights or long evenings by the fireplace. Maple provides a moderate, steady heat and emits a pleasant, natural aroma, enhancing the ambiance and coziness of a home environment. Homeowners with wood stoves or fireplaces designed for high-efficiency heating often prefer hardwoods for their superior energy performance, extended burn time, and long-term reliability.

Softwoods: Quick Ignition and Flame

Softwoods, such as pine, fir, and spruce, ignite quickly and burn hotter initially but tend to burn faster than hardwoods, requiring more frequent refueling. They are excellent for kindling and short fires when immediate warmth is desired, especially during chilly mornings or evenings. However, softwoods tend to produce more creosote, a sticky, flammable residue that can accumulate in chimneys, posing a fire hazard if not carefully managed and cleaned regularly.


In practical use, a blend of softwood for quick ignition and hardwood for sustained heat is often recommended for maximum efficiency. Homeowners can start their fires with softwood to get the flames going and then maintain long-term warmth with hardwood logs for safer, more efficient, and enjoyable indoor heating.

Seasoning and Moisture Content

  • The Importance of Seasoned Wood

    Seasoned firewood is wood that has been cut, split, and allowed to dry for a period, usually six months to a year, reducing its moisture content to 20% or less for optimal burning performance. Proper seasoning is crucial because wood that is too wet, or "green," burns inefficiently, produces excessive smoke, and increases creosote buildup in chimneys, creating potential safety risks.


    Seasoned wood not only provides higher heat output but also ignites more easily and burns consistently for longer periods without frequent attention. For instance, a properly seasoned oak log will produce significantly more usable heat than a freshly cut oak log of the same size and shape. Dry wood also reduces unpleasant odors, minimizes indoor smoke, and limits the production of soot and airborne pollutants inside your home, improving overall air quality.

  • How to Assess Firewood Moisture

    Homeowners can measure moisture content using a wood moisture meter, a reliable and precise tool to ensure wood is ready to burn safely and efficiently. Alternatively, visual and tactile cues can help identify seasoned wood: it tends to have cracks on the ends, a lighter weight, and a hollow sound when struck together. Proper storage, such as stacking firewood off the ground with good airflow and covering only the top while leaving the sides open, helps maintain low moisture levels and prevents mold or rot.

Firewood Size, Shape, and Storage

Log Size and Cutting Practices

The size and shape of firewood logs affect combustion efficiency, ease of handling, and overall fire performance in fireplaces or wood stoves. Logs that are too large may struggle to ignite, while logs that are too small burn too quickly, leading to inefficient heat production. Standard fireplace logs typically range from 16 to 20 inches, while wood stoves often require shorter logs around 12 inches to fit safely inside the stove chamber for maximum heat output.



Splitting logs improves air circulation, increases surface area, and reduces drying time, ensuring a hotter, cleaner burn with minimal smoke. For example, splitting a dense maple log into halves or quarters can make it easier to ignite, maintain consistent heat, and ensure the fire burns evenly throughout the duration. Properly sized and split firewood enhances efficiency and reduces unnecessary labor while keeping the home warm for longer periods.

Proper Storage Techniques

Proper storage protects firewood from moisture, pests, and decay while allowing it to season effectively for safe burning. Firewood should be stored in a dry, elevated location, preferably with a cover to protect it from rain or snow while allowing airflow around the stacks to prevent mold and insect infestations. Avoid storing wood directly against exterior walls or too close to your home to protect both the wood and your property from damage.



Rotating stock is also a recommended practice for consistent firewood use. Use older, seasoned wood first, and keep newly cut wood separate to allow sufficient seasoning and drying time. This method ensures a constant supply of ready-to-burn wood throughout the heating season, making fire preparation simpler, safer, and more convenient for homeowners.

Firewood Selection for Safety and Efficiency

Efficient Heat Production

Choosing firewood for efficiency involves balancing wood type, size, and dryness to maximize heat output and minimize waste. Dense hardwoods with low moisture content produce the most energy per log, reducing the number of times the fireplace or stove needs to be refueled during cold nights. Proper firewood placement in the fireplace, ensuring adequate airflow and spacing between logs, also enhances combustion efficiency and overall heat output for long-lasting warmth.

Real-World Scenario

Consider a typical New England winter: a homeowner using wet pine logs may find the fire smokes excessively, soot builds on the glass doors, and the room remains chilly despite a roaring flame. Switching to properly seasoned oak or maple logs can produce a steady, warm fire with minimal smoke, less maintenance, and improved overall comfort, highlighting the importance of selecting firewood wisely for practical daily use.

Environmental Considerations and Sustainability

Choosing Local and Renewable Firewood

Sourcing firewood locally reduces transportation emissions, supports sustainable forest management practices, and ensures compliance with regional regulations to prevent the spread of pests and diseases. Many areas restrict transporting firewood across regions, making locally harvested wood both safer and more environmentally responsible.

Minimizing Waste and Maximizing Efficiency

Efficient firewood use includes burning only what is needed for each fire and avoiding excessive storage that may lead to rot, mold, or pest infestations. Homeowners can also repurpose smaller branches, offcuts, and split wood as kindling rather than discarding them, ensuring full utilization of available resources while reducing waste and maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Expert Best Practices

Environmental and forestry experts recommend a strategic mix of hardwoods and softwoods to optimize combustion efficiency and sustainability. Using seasoned wood, storing it properly, and sourcing it responsibly contributes to a safer home environment, improved indoor air quality, and long-term environmental protection. Responsible firewood management ensures both reliable heating and minimal ecological impact.

Quality Firewood Services from Experienced Professionals

Choosing the right firewood is a critical aspect of maximizing the efficiency, safety, and enjoyment of your fireplace or wood stove. Understanding the differences between hardwoods and softwoods, prioritizing seasoned wood with low moisture content, and selecting appropriate log sizes contribute to better heat output, reduced smoke, and a cleaner burn. Proper storage, environmentally conscious sourcing, and adherence to best practices further enhance your experience while protecting both your home and the environment.


For homeowners in Middleton, New Hampshire, Firewood Supply New Hampshire has been providing reliable, high-quality firewood for over 7 years. Our team combines expertise with a dedication to customer satisfaction, ensuring every log we deliver meets optimal standards for seasoning, size, and type. Whether you need hardwoods for sustained heat or softwoods for quick ignition, we offer a curated selection tailored to your fireplace or stove needs. Trust our experience and local knowledge to keep your home warm, safe, and cozy throughout the heating season. We are committed to delivering quality firewood and exceptional service every time.

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