Best Firewood for Camping

April 27, 2023

By Thena Reading-Franssen, HodgePodge Hippie

OAK FIREWOOD: Oak is one of the best firewood types for a campfire because it is a dense hardwood that burns hot and long, providing a steady heat source. Since oak is denser than other woods, it takes longer to burn through, meaning that it can keep your campfire going for a longer time before you have to add more wood to it. In addition, the slow-burning properties of oak make it a good choice for cooking over an open flame, as it provides an even source of heat that can be used to cook food to perfection. Another benefit of oak is that it produces very little smoke, resulting in a cleaner, more enjoyable burn than other types of wood. Overall, oak is a great choice for anyone looking to build a long-lasting, clean-burning campfire that will provide both heat and light throughout the night.

HICKORY-Hickory is a popular choice for campfires because it is dense and hardwood that burns hot and long. Due to its density, it provides a steady source of heat, much like oak. Hickory is one of the hottest burning woods available, making it an excellent choice when cooking over an open flame. It is popular among pitmasters to smoke meat because it adds a sweet, smoky flavor to the meat. Hickory tree bark contains natural oils that produce a sweet aroma when burned, enhancing the camping experience. The smoke emitted by a hickory fire is quite low, making it an environmentally-friendly choice for anyone. Whether camping or just enjoying a fire at home, using hickory wood ensures a great camping experience.

MAPLE-Maple is a hardwood known to produce a steady, long-lasting burn, making it a great choice for a campfire. It is dense, which means it is less likely to break apart during your fire and will produce relatively little smoke, keeping your clothes and gear from a smoky smell. Maple is also a clean-burning wood, which makes it an excellent choice for cooking food over an open flame, as it adds a slightly sweet flavor to the meal. Additionally, its bark produces a slight crackle and pleasant aroma when burned. The coals produced by a burning maple fire will continue to generate heat even after the flames have subsided, making it great for keeping warm on a cold night. These properties make maple one of the best woods for maintaining a long-lasting, enjoyable campfire experience.

APPLE-Yes, apple wood is a great choice for campfires, especially cooking over an open flame. It is a fruitwood known for producing a sweet and pleasant aroma when burned, which can enhance the camping experience. Apple wood also burns hot and clean, which makes it ideal for cooking. The sweet fragrance of apple wood adds a unique flavor to food that cannot be replicated by artificial flavors or seasoning. Even when used in small amounts, it can add a subtle yet distinct taste to grilled and smoked food. Additionally, apple wood produces long and slow-burning coals, which can provide consistent heat for an extended period, making it an excellent choice for keeping warm on a chilly night. When camping, apple wood is an excellent choice for cooking, especially when grilling meat, fish, or vegetables. The added flavor and aroma result in a unique and enjoyable culinary experience.

CHERRY WOOD-Cherry wood is a hardwood that is an excellent choice for use in a campfire. It is dense and hard, which makes it burn hot and long, providing a steady heat source throughout the night. This makes it an ideal wood choice for keeping warm on chilly evenings while camping. In addition to providing heat, cherry wood has a pleasant aroma and a delicate, sweet smell, which can enhance the camping experience. The wood produces a fruity, subtle flavor that can add a new dimension to outdoor cooking. Being a fruitwood, it is also ideal for cooking food and infusing a unique taste. Cherry wood produces minimal smoke, which is great for those who want to keep their clothes and gear smoke-free. Moreover, the wood leaves minimal residue or ash, making clean-up much easier, and that is always a bonus while camping. With its sweet aroma, unique flavor, and long-burning properties, cherry wood is a great choice for any camper wanting a clean, enjoyable, and long-lasting campfire experience.

ASH-Ashwood is a great choice for a campfire because it is a hardwood that burns hot and long, providing a steady source of heat throughout the night. It produces minimal smoke and sparks, which makes it an excellent option for campers who want to enjoy a campfire while keeping their clothes and gear smoke-free. Additionally, Ash wood is easy to split and ignite quickly, making it a convenient and hassle-free option for starting a fire. It is also a more sustainable choice as ash trees are often abundant and grow quickly, ensuring a continuous supply of wood. Overall, with its long-burning properties, clean burn, and ease of ignition, ash wood is a great choice for a campfire, creating a comfortable and intimate setting that brings warmth and charm to camping.

PINE- Pinewood is a softwood that can be a good option for a campfire. It ignites quickly and easily, making it a good choice for starting a fire. Pinewood also produces a distinct sizzle and crackling sound, which can contribute to the ambiance of a campfire. One of the benefits of using pine wood is its abundance. It is a common tree species found in many regions worldwide, ensuring a ready and available wood supply for campers. However, unlike hardwoods such as oak or maple, pine wood does not burn as long and creates more smoke. Additionally, the smoke produced by pine wood can have a strong, distinctive smell that may not be enjoyable to some people. This heavy smoke might create an unpleasant experience for some and can cause respiratory distress to people with asthma. While pine wood is readily available, it is best used with denser hardwoods to provide a long-lasting and enjoyable campfire experience. Pairing pine wood with other hardwoods will balance the conductivity and production of smoke, complementing each other's properties.

CEDAR-Cedar wood is a popular softwood choice for a campfire due to its unique properties. It ignites easily and burns quickly, producing a pleasant-smelling aroma that adds an enjoyable fragrance to the camping experience. Moreover, cedar wood produces minimal smoke, which is great for keeping your clothes and gear smoke-free. Cedarwood is often used for lining campfire pits and providing protection from insects due to its repelling properties. The natural oils in the wood act as a natural insect repellent, providing an effective solution to camping where there might be mosquitoes, flies, or other insects. However, cedar wood burns quickly, so it might not be an ideal choice if you are looking for a long-lasting fire for warmth. Overall, cedar wood is an excellent choice for people looking to create a pleasing fragrance in their campfire, repel insects, or use it as a partial wood to light or to provide heat to the campsite.

BIRCH-Birchwood is a popular choice for campfires because it is a hardwood that burns cleanly and produces a bright flame, lighting the camping area and providing warmth. Birchwood also ignites easily, making it a great option for starting a fire without much hassle. It also produces minimal smoke, ideal for keeping your clothes and gear smoke-free. Birch bark is a natural fire starter, containing oils that readily catch fire, making it ideal as a fire starter during adverse weather conditions such as rain since the bark remains dry under the damp outer bark layer.