What’s the Difference in Fire Woods?

The weather’s still warm, but there’s a definite chill in the evening air. And while the fireplace or stove may not be used for another several weeks or even months, savvy homeowners and fire stokers know that now is the time to start stocking up on wood for the winter.

The types of wood are endless, but those most used in Northern California are oak and pine. What’s the difference? Oak, a hardwood, is dense and slow burning – giving off more heat over a longer period of time. Pine is softwood, with a lower density, making it quick to ignite and more ideal for getting fires started. While pine will work well any time of the year, it may be more suitable for warmer parts of the season, with shorter nights.

These two woods also burn more efficiently once they’ve been seasoned for a year or two. Seasoned is essentially the drying out of the wood, making it easier to ignite and produce heat.