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Comparison of Oak, Hornbeam, and Birch Firewood

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Using high-quality firewood is the key to having and enjoying the nicest fire. However, choosing the best firewood can be daunting, especially if you’re a novice. That’s because firewood has different qualities depending on its type, and understanding their differences is essential.
Here is a comparison of oak, hornbeam, and birch firewood to help you choose the best for your next fire.
Here’s a quick highlight of the three types of wood:
Oak firewood: Oak is the hardest of the three kinds of wood, making it great for long-lasting fires. It also has a high density, so it burns hot and slow. Oak firewood has a small flame.
Hornbeam firewood: Hornbeam is a bit softer than oak, but it’s still a great hardwood. It’s a good choice for those who want a fire that burns for a long time.
Birch firewood: Birch is the softest of the three kinds of wood, so it’s not the best choice for long-lasting fires. However, it burns hotter, releasing heat faster, and is also excellent for starting fires.

firewood and fireplace

Oak Firewood

Oak is among the most common hardwood trees. The oak tree is a symbol of strength and stability. It has been used for centuries as a building and construction material due to its durability, robustness, and resilience.
The oak tree is also a popular choice for furniture and flooring, as it is both aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting. So is it a suitable type of wood for firewood?
Oak is among the most popular types of firewood, especially for wood stoves. It burns hot and slowly, making it perfect for long winter nights.
The British thermal unit (BTU) for oak wood is between 25 and 30, depending on the type of oak and its location. There are about 500 species of oak, and they all have different characteristics. The white oak is considered the best oak for firewood as it produces more heat per cord, around 29 BTUs.

In addition, oak firewood produces low smoke and ash and less sparks. This makes it perfect for open fires, as it is safe and requires less tending.
Furthermore, it has a pleasing scent that will make your whole house smell like a cozy cabin. However, the aroma depends on the type of oak.
Since it is dense, it takes longer to light, and you might require firelighters to make the process easier. It’s also good to note that how well oak burns depends on the level of dryness. Kiln-dried oak firewood has moisture levels below 20%, which will offer all the advantages that come with oak firewood.

Pros and Cons of Oak Firewood

Oak firewood is a go-to option for many since its advantages outweigh its drawbacks.

Pros

• Oak firewood can burn 2x longer as birch firewood.
• Mild sparking
• It offers a clean burn, especially when it’s completely dry.
• Produce good coals to last overnight.
• Has minimal ash
• No need to watch it during open fires since the flames are low.
• It has less sap/resin content.

Cons

• More expensive than hornbeam and birch
• It is hard to split, especially the white oak, due to its interlocking fibers

Hornbeam Firewood

The hornbeam tree is a hardy tree that can withstand cold winters and hot summers. This robustness makes it a good choice for firewood. It is also a valuable source of wood for furniture and other woodworking projects.
Hornbeam may not be as popular as oak and birch, but its firewood characteristics are similar to those of oak firewood. One of the most outstanding features of hornbeam firewood is that it burns hot for a long time. However, it does not burn longer than oak.
Hornbeam BTU is between 26 and 27, although it depends on the type of hornbeam. Unlike birch firewood, hornbeam is very heavy and dense, resulting in a slow burn. It also has excellent heat production, making it a good option if you want to heat your home, especially during cold weather. Hornbeam logs are easier to split than oak firewood.
It’s also a good choice if you’re looking for wood that produces little smoke and sparks. Hornbeam kiln-dried firewood has a moisture content of up to 20%, allowing it to burn with a bright and consistent flame. This results in a clean burn, making it a good choice for wood stoves and open fires.

Furthermore, hornbeam firewood creates excellent embers that can still generate heat after all the wood has burned. However, hornbeam can be challenging to find and is more expensive than birch firewood.

Hornbeam and oak have a slight price difference, if not the same. In addition, hornbeams may be a little hard to light since they are dense. You can use birch wood to start the fire, as it burns more easily, or use some firelighters.

Pros and Cons of Hornbeam Firewood

Hornbeam and oak have a lot of similarities. Here are some pros and cons that can help you decide easily:

Pros

• Easy to split compared to oak firewood
• It offers a clean burn, so there’s less soot and creosote buildup
• Burns slowly and produce an excellent heat output
• It has little to no aroma making it perfect for those who dislike the smell of burning wood.

Con

• It’s more expensive than most firewood

Birch Firewood

birch firewood

The birch tree is a beautiful, stately tree. It’s known for its distinctively thin, paperlike white bark, which you can use to light your fire. Birch firewood is also known for its fierce and intense flame, which offers medium to high heat. Birch is the wood to choose if you want to make your house warmer and faster.
When you use kiln-dried birch firewood, there will be moderate smoke and few sparks, meaning it’s safe to use inside your home. Furthermore, it offers a clean burn, resulting in less soot on your wood stove and minimal creosote buildup.
Hornbeam burns hotter quickly, and its BTU is about 21%. Its fierce flame gives it more aesthetic appeal than oak and hornbeam. Furthermore, the logs can add some flair to your home decor when arranged neatly.
Birch firewood is an excellent fire starter for denser logs such as oak and hornbeam. Unfortunately, its ability to catch fire quickly makes it burn faster for shorter periods. The embers, too, last less than the ones from oak and hornbeam. This means you’ll have to replenish your supply more frequently.
This makes birch firewood a good choice for closed stoves. If you want to use birch for an open fire, like when camping, you can throw in some dense firewood, such as oak. This helps slow the burning rate of birch, making the fire last longer. However, birch alone is enough if you want a fire that lasts just a couple of hours.
Overall, birch is decent firewood, but if you’re looking for firewood that burns hotter for longer, oak or hornbeam are better options.

Pros and Cons of Birch Firewood

Although birch is considered good firewood, most people have an «ish-ish» feeling due to its ability to burn quickly.
Here are the top advantages and disadvantages of birchwood

Pros

• Offers best value for money
• It is cheaper than oak and hornbeam
• Provides a medium to high heat
• Excellent firestarter
• It has a fierce and intense burn

Cons

• It is a soft hardwood meaning it burns faster than oak and hornbeam

Factors to Consider While Choosing the Best Firewood

When choosing the best firewood, there are a few factors you’ll need to consider. It is also good to select firewood depending on your home’s needs.
Firewood type: The type of firewood you choose will significantly affect how long your fire burns and how hot it gets. Good quality firewood will provide a clean burn, preventing fire risk in your home and reducing cleaning and maintenance costs.
Price of the firewood: You’ll also need to consider the cost of the firewood. You want to get the best value for your money, such as firewood that will burn up in hours. Be wary of cheap firewood, as it may be of poor quality.
Quality: Ensure to choose good quality firewood. This means that it should be well-seasoned and free of rot and pests. Go for kiln-dried firewood, as they offer the best quality, as their moisture content is less than 20%.
Availability: You’ll need to ensure that the firewood you choose is available in your area. Getting the firewood near you can eliminate too many hassles in looking for the firewood you want and shipping costs.

Which Is the Best for Firewood: Oak, Birch, or Hornbeam?

All three options are excellent choices for firewood, but each has its own benefits and drawbacks.
Oak is the heaviest and densest of the three kinds of wood, making it the best choice if you’re looking for a long-lasting fire. However, oak is also the most difficult to ignite, so you’ll need to use a bit more kindling than you would with the other woods.
Hornbeam is a good middle-of-the-road option. It’s not as dense as oak, so it doesn’t last as long. However, it’s better than the birch.
Birch is lighter and easier to ignite than oak, but it burns for a shorter time. Birch is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a quick fire to warm your home. However, you may need to use more birch than oak or hornbeam.
Ultimately, the decision between oak and hornbeam boils down to personal preference. If you want a slow, steady fire, go with oak. If you want firewood that’s more like oak, then go for hornbeam. If you’re looking for a fast, hot fire, go for birch.

 
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