What logs are best for a fire pit?

When selecting logs for a fire pit, there are a few key factors to consider in order to get the best burning and longest lasting fire. The type of wood, moisture content, size and shape of the logs, and seasoning time all play an important role in fire pit performance. Choosing the right logs for your needs will ensure you get bright, warm fires that last for hours.

What is the best type of wood for fire pits?

The best type of wood for fire pits is hardwood from dense trees like oak, maple, ash, or hickory. Hardwoods have a higher energy content than softer woods and will burn longer and hotter. Softwoods like pine, spruce, and cedar are high in sap and moisture content which causes them to pop and crackle more than hardwoods. The sparks and smoke from softwoods can also dirty and coat the inside of your fire pit.

Here are some of the most common hardwoods used in fire pits and their key characteristics:

Oak

Oak is one of the best woods for fire pits and available in many regions. It has a high density for a hardwood which gives it excellent burning properties. Oak gives off a nice bed of coals perfect for cooking over a campfire. It has medium to high heat output.

Maple

Maple is another top choice hardwood for fire pits. It is dense but easy to split and lights easily. Maple has the highest heat output of common hardwoods. It provides a nice consistent fire but burns a little faster than denser hardwoods.

Ash

Ash wood is another great hardwood for fire pits. It splits easily and gives a nice consistent burn. The heat output is slightly less than oak or maple. Ash has a distinctive light coloring that creates aesthetically pleasing fires.

Hickory

Hickory is a very dense hardwood known for its excellent burning qualities. It has high heat output, lasts a long time, and creates long-lasting coals perfect for cooking. The only downside is hickory can be harder to ignite than other hardwoods.

Birch

Birch is medium density hardwood that lights easily and burns hot. It has a nice flame pattern due to layers of hard and soft wood in the logs. Birch tends to burn faster than denser woods. The benefit is that it’s great for quick warmth and getting a fire started.

Avoid softwoods like pine, cedar, spruce

Softwoods have a lower energy density and more moisture and sap. This leads to less heat, more smoke and sparks, and faster burning times. While you can burn softwoods in a pinch, it’s best to stick to kiln-dried dense hardwoods for your primary fire pit logs.

What moisture content should fire pit logs be?

The moisture content of the wood greatly impacts how well it burns. Wood needs to be properly dried to around 20% moisture content or less for best performance. Here is how moisture content affects wood:

– Wet wood above 30% moisture is difficult to ignite and smolders with little heat. Newly cut “green” wood can be 50% moisture or more.

– Wood dried to 20-25% burns adequately but less efficiently than drier wood. It may smolder and smoke more.

– 15-20% moisture is optimal, this is what is meant by “seasoned” wood. It lights easily and burns efficiently.

– Kiln-dried wood down to 8-10% moisture has the best burning properties but can be more expensive.

Wet wood wastes energy evaporating moisture rather than creating a quality fire. Always use seasoned hardwood logs purchased from a reputable dealer that have been properly dried. Trying to burn wet or green logs will lead to smoky, low heat fires and a lot of frustration.

What size logs are best?

Larger logs generally burn better than small sticks and generate more heat. For a fire pit, you’ll want logs no more than 5 inches in diameter. Good standard sizes are:

– Kindling: Up to 2 inches diameter – For starting fires
– Small: 2-3 inches diameter – Easier lighting and faster burning
– Medium: 3-4 inches diameter – Provide good duration fires
– Large: 4-5 inches diameter – Long burning logs, best for overnight fires

Very large logs over 5 inches can be difficult to ignite. Smaller pieces are good for kindling and shorter fires, while medium to large logs provide sustained burns. Using a mix of sizes will allow for easy lighting, plenty of heat, and long duration.

What shape logs burn best?

The shape of your firewood logs also impacts the quality and longevity of burning. Here are some shapes and their advantages:

Split Logs

Split logs have exposed insides and edges for the fire to catch. Splitting wood dries it out faster as well. Easy lighting and plenty of surface area make split logs a top choice.

Halved/Quartered Logs

Halved or quartered round logs also have good exposed surfaces while retaining some round log stability. Easy lighting and a nice look.

Round Logs

Round logs stack well and look nice but can be harder to ignite if they aren’t cracked and split on the sides. The bark also seals moisture. Use round logs for top layers and kindling.

Chopped Logs

Chopped logs are best reserved for kindling. They light fast but don’t last as long for sustained heat, especially in open fire pits.

The ideal log pile has an assortment of round logs for stacking with split/halved/quartered logs for burning. This allows both aesthetic appeal and great fires.

How long should logs season or dry?

Seasoning time allows logs to fully dry out before burning. The longer wood can season, the better it will burn.

– Green wood needs 6-12 months to air dry to ~20% moisture content
– Kiln drying takes 1-2 months to rapidly reduce moisture

Buying wood that is already seasoned saves time and effort. If drying your own logs, here are some tips:

– Stack loosely in single rows in a dry, covered area with good airflow
– Elevate wood off the ground on palettes or wood strips
– Allow for airflow gaps between logs
– Split logs into quarters or halves before stacking
– Use wood moisture meter to test moisture content before burning

With time, patience, and proper drying methods you can achieve ~15-20% moisture content for fantastic fires.

What are the best fire pit log sizes for cooking?

For cooking over a campfire or fire pit, you want a good bed of hot coals. Medium to large split logs are best for cooking fires.

Recommended sizes:

– Kindling: Up to 3″ diameter – For starting fires
– Small: 3-4″ diameter – Fast heating
– Medium: 4-6″ diameter – Perfect for creating hot coals
– Large: 6-8″ diameter – All night fires

Use small and medium logs to generate a hot coal bed. Cooking is usually done by placing a grill over the red hot coals once flame has died down. Large logs can be added slowly to maintain the fire. Avoid using only small sticks that will burn up too quickly.

What types of wood should be avoided in fire pits?

Some types of wood should be avoided in fire pits:

– Pine, spruce, cedar and other resinous softwoods – Cause sparks, smoke, residual soot in fire pit

– Green, wet, or unseasoned wood – Difficult to light, smokes excessively

– Pressure treated lumber, pallets, painted or stained wood – Contains harmful chemicals

– Low density woods like aspen, poplar, willow – Don’t last as long, low heat

– Driftwood from salt water – High salt content corrodes metal fire pits faster

– Wood with nails, screws, or metal – Metal can damage fire pits

The best policy is to only burn bare, seasoned hardwood logs like oak, maple, ash in your fire pit for great results and to protect your fire pit from damage. Softwoods and low density woods can be used in a pinch but avoid anything treated, painted, or excessively wet.

How to stack wood logs in a fire pit

Proper stacking of fire pit wood improves air flow and makes maintenance easier. Follow these tips:

– Place larger logs on bottom, smaller logs on top
– Stack in crisscross pattern for stability
– Leave air gaps between logs
– Stack to one side only to allow ash cleanout on other side
– Keep stack within fire pit walls to hide but allow heat radiance
– Replenish as needed pushing partly burned logs to back

With larger logs on the bottom and smaller logs stacked loosely up top, you allow for plenty of airflow while also making it easy to add more wood. Don’t overstack a huge pile. Leave room to push and knock over partly burnt pieces. A neatly stacked accessible pile of wood off to one side is ideal.

What is the best way to light a fire in a fire pit?

An effective fire needs to start with proper fire pit preparation and lighting methods:

– Clear out ashes from previous fires
– Place balled up paper or firestarter cubes in center
– Stack kindling crisscross over starter
– Add small split logs in teepee configuration
– Light with long match/lighter and allow to spread to logs

Having good airflow is key for lighting and requires starting with paper or firestarter to initially catch. Once the kindling is burning strong, add slightly larger logs, continuously building up the fire. Taking time to properly light and establish the fire will allow it to efficiently burn stronger.

How to maintain a good fire pit fire

To keep a fire pit burning optimally for hours follow these maintenance tips:

– Allow fire to establish before reducing air
– Move and spread logs that aren’t burning
– Add medium split logs as needed to fuel fire
– Knock over unburnt ends of logs
– Don’t smother fire completely, leave some air
– Remove ashes and embers that build up
– Have additional wood ready to add

Don’t let the fire get too smothered or starved of air. Maintain steady fueling by adding 2-3 logs at a time. Adjust logs that aren’t catching and increase airflow by stirring and spreading. Remove ashes before they build up too much. Keep some smaller kindling handy for reestablishing flames.

What to burn in a fire pit besides wood

While wood logs are standard, other solid fuels can be burned in fire pits:

Fuel	Characteristics
Hardwood Pellets	Long burning, easy to use, low smoke
Corn	Burns quickly with good heat output
Biofuel Briquettes	Compact, consistent high heat output
Charcoal	Burns hot but faster without logs for sustained heat

Pellets, corn, and briquettes are designed for high heat output and ease of use. Avoid anything with excessive moisture. For longest burns, sustain flaming logs or red hot coals by including hardwood in the mix.

Tips for cooking over a fire pit

Cooking over open fires takes some technique. Follow these tips for the best results:

– Let flames die down to achieve red hot coals
– Position grill over coals, not directly over flames
– Choose thicker, heavier pans and Dutch ovens
– Avoid burning food by placing off-center, rotating
– Adjust height as needed by propping up grill
– Have tongs/mitt to handle pots/pans over fire
– Soak Dutch oven lids in water for even heating
– Use coals below and on lid for oven roasting

The key is getting a good bed of hot coals to generate radiant cooking heat. Heavy cast iron pots and Dutch ovens work best to distribute and hold heat. Focus on managing the coal bed for consistent high heat output.

Conclusion

A quality fire pit log burn comes down to selecting the right dense hardwood, properly dried and seasoned, and cut and split into ideal sizes. Focus your efforts on sourcing, preparing, stacking, and lighting the wood properly. Maintain air flow and frequently tend to the fire. With the right technique, you can achieve fire pit perfection for warmth, ambiance, and outdoor cooking. Look for oak, maple, ash logs kiln dried to under 20% moisture and sized from small kindling up to 5 inch diameter split logs. Construct organized, stable stacks for efficiency. Allow flames to establish before reducing air. Stir, spread, and add new logs to maintain the fire at its peak. Burning split hardwood logs in a properly prepared and controlled fire pit will provide many hours of enjoyment.