What smells better than a crackling fire on a cool evening? That warm glow and smoky scent create perfect backyard memories. But before you light that first match, you face a big choice: which wood should you burn? Choosing the wrong wood can lead to too much smoke, sparks flying everywhere, or a fire that just won’t stay lit. It’s frustrating when you want cozy vibes but end up battling a bad burn.
Finding the best wood for your fire pit is more than just grabbing any log. You need wood that burns clean, heats well, and smells great. This can feel confusing when you stand in the lumberyard looking at stacks of different types of wood. Don’t worry; we have the answers you need to become a fire pit pro.
This guide will break down the best woods for a fantastic fire. We will show you which woods create minimal smoke and maximum heat. Keep reading to learn the secrets to choosing the perfect fuel for your next bonfire, ensuring every gathering is warm, bright, and hassle-free.
Top Wood For Fire Pit Recommendations
- 10-POUND BOX OF PREMIUM FATWOOD – Stock up on a generous 10-pound box of high-quality Billy Buckskin fatwood fire starter sticks, the ultimate fire-starting solution for fireplaces, fire pits, wood stoves, campfires, and outdoor grills. Each stick measures approximately 8 inches in length and varies in thickness from 0.3 to 1.25 inches, ensuring quick and reliable ignition. With just 2-3 sticks, you can effortlessly start a strong blaze.
- PREMIUM HIGH-RESIN FATWOOD FOR QUICK & EASY FIRE STARTING – Sourced from rich, high-resin pine stumps, our premium fatwood fire starter ignites instantly, eliminating the hassle of kindling while minimizing soot buildup. Each stick produces a strong, clean-burning flame with a naturally aromatic scent, perfect for creating a warm, inviting atmosphere indoors or enhancing outdoor fire pits and campfires. Ideal for fireplaces, wood stoves, fire pits, camping, and survival kits.
- 100% NATURAL & CHEMICAL-FREE – No live trees are harmed as these are harvested from naturally fallen pine stumps in the lush Mexican jungles. Billy Buckskin’s premium fatwood sticks provide a clean, eco-friendly fire-starting solution with no artificial chemicals or additives. Rich in natural resin, these fire starters ignite effortlessly, making them perfect for fireplaces, wood stoves, fire pits, campfires, and survival kits.
- EASY-TO-USE & RELIABLE – Ignite your fire effortlessly with Billy Buckskin fatwood starter sticks—just place 2-3 sticks among your kindling, light one, and let the rich resin do the work for a quick, sustained flame. For larger pieces, simply hold a match in place to activate the natural resin, ensuring a strong and efficient burn. Perfect for fireplaces, wood stoves, fire pits, campfires, and outdoor cooking.
- RELIABLE IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS – Ignite a fire effortlessly in any condition with Billy Buckskin fatwood, the ultimate fire-starting solution for all seasons. With an exceptionally high resin content, these sticks light easily—even when wet—making them perfect for rainy hikes, snowy campfires, summer grilling, and emergency preparedness. Whether you're starting a fire at home or in the great outdoors.
- Great for Any Occasion: Whether you're having a party, enjoying a quiet night in, or cooking up a storm for your family and friends, our cooking wood is sure to make your event memorable
- Perfect Size: At 8 inches in length and 2-3 inches thick, our cooking wood is the perfect size for any grill, smoker, or fire pit. It lights easily and burns hot, producing that delicious smoky flavor that everyone loves
- Choose Your Favorite Flavor: Our cooking wood is available in three delicious flavors: Oak, Cherry, and Hickory. Each variety has its own unique taste and aroma, so you can choose the one that best suits your tastes
- USDA Certified: Our cooking wood is USDA Certified, which means it has been inspected and meets strict quality standards for safety and sanitation. You can trust that our firewood is of the highest quality
- Kiln Dried: Our cooking wood is kiln dried to ensure that it is dry and ready to use. This process removes excess moisture and prevents the wood from cracking or splitting during burning
- BUILT ON HGD'S LEGACY: Just like our highly-rated 16", 20", and 28" smokeless firepits, this fire starters upholds our strict standards for quality and reliability, ensuring your peace of mind.Explore our signature firepits that set the standard for backyard and camping enjoyment
- RAPID IGNITION TECHNOLOGY: Our charcoal chimney starter is designed for fast fire starting. Perfect for camping, pit fires, or barbecuing (doesn't affect food flavor), making fire starting effortless every time
- NATURAL ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS: Made from natural pine wood shavings and wax, these fire starters emit up to 80% less carbon monoxide than traditional fire starters, offering a safer, more environmentally friendly option
- BURN WHEN WET: Don't let rain dampen your outdoor plans! Our weather-resistant fire starters can burn for approximately 6 minutes even in damp conditions
- OUTDOOR ESSENTIAL: Whether camping or hiking, these compact yet powerful charcoal squares are a must-have on everyone's fire pit accessories list, creating blazing fires in moments
- Premium Mini Firewood: Elevate your outdoor experience with our meticulously designed mini firewood made from natural premium pine. Each box, weighing 2 pounds, ensures convenience for indoor storage and outdoor adventures. Our kiln-dried process maintains a moisture content of less than 6%, guaranteeing bark-free, clean-burning, and longer-lasting fires.
- Smoke Reduction & Authentic Wood Flavor: Bid farewell to bothersome smoke! Our kiln-dried firewood stands out with its minimal sap and resin content, ensuring cleaner burns and generating more heat for your camp stoves, wood-burning stoves, and ovens. Place your trust in the superior quality of our fire sticks for an extraordinary outdoor cooking and heating experience. Revel in extended burn times of 20-30 minutes, allowing you to savor the warmth.
- Versatile & Perfect Accessory: Each professionally processed stick is 4 inches long, making it compatible with Solo Stove Mesa, Tabletop Solo Stove, pizza ovens Bertello, Big Horn, Ooni, Roccbox, Pellethead ovens, Ooni pizza ovens, and pizza ovens. Our Pine sticks are also useful for indoor fireplaces, open pits, BBQ grills, and more. A great addition to camping accessories!
- Unmatched Quality: Experience the epitome of quality with our mini firewood. Designed for Solo Stove Mesa XL and other outdoor products, it promises extended burn times and sustained ambiance. No compromises on durability – it's the ideal choice for creating lasting memories. Embrace the warmth and charm of a perfect fire every time.
- Long-Lasting Warmth: Pack of 12 Duraflame fire logs that offer a convenient and authentic fire experience that burn for up to 3 hours, and create a warm ambiance
- Convenient and Easy to Use: Quick to light and become fully lit and engulfed in flames in approximately 5 minutes allowing you to lie back and soak up the warmth from the fireplace logs immediately
- Guaranteed Pure and Spotless: Burns 80 percent cleaner than traditional wood for an all-around more enjoyable time around the fire without worrying about too much fireplace mess
- Efficient and Functional Construction: Gas logs are made from renewable wood sawdust and agricultural fibers mixed with blends of wax and other combustible, renewable materials
- Dried Firewood for Indoor and Outdoor: Greatly suited for a variety of settings making it suitable for an open-hearth fireplace, outdoor fireplace, fire pit, bonfire, or campfire
- MAGIC FIRE COLORFUL FLAMES: Simply toss magic color fire packets into the fire and watch in awe as the flames turn into vibrant shades of red, blue and green, fire magic creating a mesmerizing spectacle that will amaze everyone around you
- SAFE AND CONVENIENT: Made with safe materials, our fire color packets are easy to use and will provide hours of enchantment for all your outdoor gatherings
- REASONABLE QUANTITY SPECIFICATIONS: Our magic color fire packs is a mesmerizing product available in different quantity packs to meet all your needs while offering a more reasonable price to enhance your consumption experience
- SUITABLE FOR BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN: Our color changing fire packets is a captivating and mesmerizing product loved by adults and children alike. becase of this colorful fire packets,every party you have will be unforgettable,with twinkling flames dancing in vivid and captivating colors
- COLOR FLAMES FOR FIRE PIT: Transform any campfire! Our magic flame packets create vibrant, colorful, and mesmerizing flames for your outdoor fire pit, backyard, or camping adventures. Get ready for an unforgettable, dazzling light show that will amaze everyone
- Includes: 12 Pack of Firestarters
- Start Fires Effortlessly: With our Fire Starters, igniting indoor and outdoor fires has never been easier. Skip the hassle of traditional kindling materials or fuel and experience the convenience of our reliable fire starters.
- Mess-Free and Instant Ignition - Experience a mess-free and easy-to-use solution with our fire wood fire starters. Just place the fire starters inside your woodpile and with a click of a match, witness a crackling flame ignite the logs in a matter of seconds.
- Eco-Friendly & Reliable: Choose our fire logs, crafted with a sustainable blend of wax and renewable biomass which helps reduce emissions. These water-resistant fire starters are individually wrapped for convenience and made with high-quality materials, ensuring reliable performance.
- Versatile Fire Starting Solution - Whether you're grilling on a barbecue, enjoying a campfire in the great outdoors, cozying up to a fire pit, or setting the ambiance with your indoor fireplace, our fire starters are up to the task. With their reliable ignition power, you can confidently spark flames with ease, no matter where you are.
- AROMATIC JUNIPER FOR COZY FIRES: This 18 LB juniper firewood bundle burns clean with a rich, forest-like aroma. It’s easy to ignite and perfect for low-smoke fires in fire pits, fireplaces, or backyard BBQs. Great for cozy, fragrant fires anytime.
- COMPLETE FIREWOOD STARTER KIT: No need to buy extras—each box includes split firewood for fire pit, long-burning logs, and fire starter sticks. It’s a reliable all-in-one solution with fireplace starter sticks and kindling wood for any setup.
- RUSTIC JUNIPER FOR CLEAN, AROMATIC FIRES: Juniper wood offers a naturally fragrant burn with quick ignition and minimal mess. Ideal for those who enjoy cozy, aromatic fires in fire pits, fireplaces, or backyard BBQs without overpowering smoke.
- CLEAN, HOT, CONSISTENT BURN: Our seasoned firewood burns hotter and cleaner with less smoke. Whether you're using a wood stove fire starter, indoor firewood, or preparing for a bonfire, these fire logs deliver steady heat every time.
- FIRE STARTER FOR ANY ADVENTURE: From your backyard fire pit to deep woods camping, this bundle doubles as a survival fire starter kit. Great for firewood for fireplace, campfires, BBQs, and as fire starters for wood stoves at home or on the go.
Choosing the Best Wood for Your Fire Pit
A crackling fire makes any outdoor gathering special. Choosing the right wood is key to a great fire pit experience. This guide will help you pick the perfect logs.
Key Features to Look For
Good fire pit wood has a few important features. These features affect how easily the wood burns, how hot it gets, and how much smoke it makes.
Seasoning (Dryness)
The most important feature is dryness. Wood must be “seasoned.” This means it has been dried out for at least six months to a year. Wet or “green” wood smokes a lot. It also takes much longer to catch fire. Dry wood lights quickly and burns hotter.
Density and Hardness
Denser wood burns longer. Hardwoods, like oak or maple, are dense. They create a long-lasting, steady fire. Softwoods, like pine, burn fast and hot but disappear quickly. For long evenings, choose hardwood.
Size and Shape
The wood should be cut into pieces that fit your fire pit easily. Most fire pits work best with logs about 12 to 16 inches long. Split wood burns better than round logs. Splitting exposes more surface area to the air.
Important Wood Materials
Not all trees make good fire pit fuel. Some woods are better than others for creating a cozy, clean fire.
- Oak: A top choice. Oak is very dense. It burns hot and lasts a long time. It produces few sparks.
- Maple: Another excellent hardwood. Maple burns steadily and smells nice.
- Hickory: Burns very hot. It is often used for cooking over a fire pit because of its intense heat.
- Pine/Fir (Softwoods): These light up fast. They are great for starting a fire. However, they burn quickly and can create more popping and sparks. Use them sparingly for long fires.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What you do to the wood, and where it comes from, changes its performance.
Quality Boosters
Proper seasoning is the biggest quality booster. Stack your wood off the ground. Cover the top but leave the sides open for air to flow. Airflow dries the wood evenly. Clean wood is also better. Avoid wood treated with chemicals or paint. These release harmful fumes when burned.
Quality Reducers
Using wet wood is the main quality reducer. It wastes your time and creates thick, unpleasant smoke. Wood that has been sitting outside uncovered can also absorb moisture, reducing its quality. Never burn treated lumber or construction scraps. These materials release toxins when they burn.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about what you want to use your fire pit for. This helps you decide on the wood type.
For Long, Relaxing Evenings
If you want a fire that stays warm for hours while you talk, choose dense hardwoods like Oak or Ash. These provide consistent heat and require less tending.
For Quick Warmth or Starting a Fire
If you just need a quick burst of heat or are trying to get a larger fire going, softwoods like Pine work well as kindling or starter fuel. They catch fire easily.
For Cooking Over the Fire
If you plan to roast marshmallows or grill food, select hardwoods that produce clean, even heat. Fruit woods (like apple or cherry) add a nice, subtle flavor to food, though they are harder to find.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Fire Pit Wood
Q: How do I know if my wood is seasoned properly?
A: Seasoned wood looks gray or weathered. It feels lighter than fresh wood. When you knock two pieces together, they should make a hollow “clink” sound, not a dull thud.
Q: Can I burn construction scrap wood in my fire pit?
A: No. Never burn construction scraps, plywood, or painted wood. They often contain glues or chemicals that release dangerous smoke.
Q: Does firewood need to be split?
A: Yes, splitting wood helps it dry faster. Split wood also catches fire more easily and burns more evenly than large, round logs.
Q: What is the best size log for a standard backyard fire pit?
A: Logs between 12 and 16 inches long usually fit best. Make sure they are not too wide for the grate or pit opening.
Q: Why does my fire make so much smoke?
A: Too much smoke almost always means the wood is too wet (not seasoned). Another cause can be too little airflow in the fire pit itself.
Q: How long does firewood need to season?
A: Most hardwoods need at least six months. A full year is better for truly dry, efficient burning wood.
Q: Are there woods I should never burn outdoors?
A: Yes. Avoid pressure-treated wood, poison ivy/oak/sumac, and soft, sappy woods like willow or poplar, which burn too fast or smoke too much.
Q: What wood creates the hottest fire?
A: Dense hardwoods like Oak, Hickory, and dense Maple create the highest heat output for a long time.
Q: Is buying “fire logs” better than buying split wood?
A: Manufactured fire logs (like Duraflame) are convenient and often burn cleanly. However, natural seasoned hardwood generally provides a longer, more authentic fire experience.
Q: Where is the best place to store my fire pit wood?
A: Store wood off the ground, ideally on a rack. Cover the top stack to protect it from rain, but leave the sides open so air can circulate and keep it dry.