Find Firewood in Your State
FAQs
Long-lasting coals are essential for overnight burns, maintaining consistent heat, and efficiently cooking over wood fires. Dense hardwoods produce superior coal beds that radiate heat for hours after flames subside, making them invaluable for serious wood burners and those using wood as primary heating.
Oak stands as the champion coal producer among commonly available firewood species. Both white oak and red oak create dense, long-lasting coal beds that can maintain heat through an entire night when properly loaded in an efficient wood stove. Oak coals often glow hot for 6-8 hours or more, making them ideal for banking fires overnight and waking to a warm house with coals ready to reignite.
Hickory rivals oak for coal production and many experienced burners consider it slightly superior. Hickory coals burn extremely hot and maintain their heat for extended periods. The wood’s exceptional density creates coals that resist breaking down, providing sustained radiant heat long after the flames disappear. For overnight heating or all-day cooking fires, hickory excels.
Black locust produces outstanding coals despite being less commonly used. Its extreme density creates coals that rival or exceed oak and hickory. Black locust coals burn intensely hot and last remarkably long. In regions where black locust is available, particularly where it grows invasively, it represents one of the finest firewoods for coal production.
Ash creates good quality coals that, while not quite matching oak or hickory longevity, still provide extended heat. Ash’s advantage lies in easier splitting and faster seasoning while still delivering respectable coal performance. For users who value both workability and coal quality, ash offers an excellent compromise.
Softwoods like pine, fir, and cedar produce minimal coals, burning quickly with bright flames but little lasting ember action. While useful for kindling and quick heat, softwoods aren’t suitable when sustained coal beds matter. Mix softwood for starting fires, then transition to hardwood for coal development and extended heat.