Design & DIY The best—and worst—types of firewood to burn By Cottage Life Published: January 11, 2024 Updated: March 26, 2024 share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Copy Link Cancel View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 By Rasarw1/Shutterstock Worst: Saltwater driftwood Burning certain beach driftwood releases sodium and chlorine ions, which, combined with smoke, can produce carcinogens. Plus, burning salty wood can corrode parts of your stove. Also—like a fallen tree at the shoreline—beach driftwood can be beneficial to the environment. View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 By Andrei Dubadzel/Shutterstock Best: Locally sourced hardwood Hardwoods burn better than softwoods and produce fewer deposits to muck up the inside of your chimney or stovepipe; heavier woods usually burn the longest, and produce the most heat. And if you transport firewood from home to the cottage, you risk moving tree-destroying pests and invasives. View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 By Stock image/Shutterstock Worst: Plywood Burning plywood and other engineered woods—they contain glues or other adhesives—can release volatile organic compounds. View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 By Tricky_Shark/Shutterstock Best: Dry, seasoned wood You probably already know this: dry wood is good, wet wood is not. Ideally, aim to burn wood with a moisture content that’s less than 20 per cent. Wet, green wood produces more smoke. (You can buy moisture meters to gauge wood’s moisture levels online.) View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 By 1059SHU/Shutterstock Worst: Wood covered in vines Because those vines might be poison ivy. And when you burn poison ivy, you’ll release its rash-causing urushiol oil. That means that not only can you get a rash, the airborne particles could irritate your nasal passage or lungs, or even cause a serious respiratory problem. No fun. View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 By Branislav Nenin/Shutterstock Best: Wood of an appropriate size Split logs to no bigger than 10 to 15 cm long. This gives you maximum useful burning surface and allows your stove to work more efficiently. Don’t even bother starting a fire with anything bigger than your forearm. The wood will smoulder, it won’t burn all the way through, and the fire will be unpleasantly smoky. View in Fullscreen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 By ArtBitz/Shutterstock Worst: Painted or treated wood This probably goes without saying, but wood that’s covered in paint, varnish, pesticides, or sealants can release toxic stuff when you light it on fire. You don’t really want to breathe in that smoke, send it into the environment, or repurpose the ash from the fire. View in Fullscreen Related galleries 7 yardwork mistakes that you don’t know you’re making This tucked-away treehouse is a modern take on a childhood dream 3 essential spring window tune-ups 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 The best—and worst—types of firewood to burn Planning a cozy gathering around the hearth, woodstove, or firepit? Make sure you burn the right wood. For the healthiest, least smoky, and most efficient fires, here are four types of wood to eschew, and three types to embrace. Build it, fix it, get it done!Get Dockside DIY, for tips on how to maintain your cottage…and then someSign up here Related Story Commonly asked questions about fire bans in Ontario Related Story How to build the perfect campfire at the cottage Related Story 5 tips to split wood more efficiently Sign up for our newsletters By submitting your information via this form, you agree to receive electronic communications from Cottage Life Media, a division of Blue Ant Media Solutions Inc., containing news, updates and promotions regarding cottage living and Cottage Life's products. You may withdraw your consent at any time. Dockside Weekly The latest cottage-country news, trending stories, and how-to advice Dockside DIY Bi-weekly Fix-it info, project ideas, and maintenance tips from our DIY experts The Great Outdoors Monthly Nature and environment news and inspiration for people who love to get outside The Key Weekly Need-to-know info about buying, selling, and renting cottage real estate Family Matters Five-part series Untangle the thorny process of cottage succession with expert advice from lawyer, Peter Lillico
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