Hardwood vs. SoftwoodWhat is the differnce between hardwood and softwood firewood?homeHardwood comes from deciduous trees such as oak, tanoak, madrone, myrtle, and maple. Hardwood is more dense burns longer and produces more heat than softwood. Hardwood
tends to burn producing more coals which produce radiant heat over a
long period of time which is ideal for wood stoves for heating and
cooking. Softwood comes from conifers such as fir, pine, cedar, and redwood. Softwood being less dense and more resinous burns faster and produces less heat than hardwood. Softwood is good for starting fires and making kindling. Softwood produces more flames and sometimes more intense heat than hardwood but over a shorter period of time. Softwood is good for starting fires or in a fireplace where you want a crackling fire with nice flames. Softwood is also nice for a campfire for the flames but throw some hardwood in to make a nice bed of coals for roasting hotdogs and marshmallows. |