When it comes to choosing the right type of wood for your Solo Stove Mesa fire pit, there are a few key factors to consider. The Mesa is a mid-sized fire pit, 19.5 inches in diameter, making it a great option for gathering around in small groups. With its sleek and portable stainless steel construction, this fire pit is designed for convenience and portability. However, in order to get the best performance and most enjoyable experience from your Mesa, you’ll want to use the proper fuel.
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Hardwood vs. Softwood
The first major consideration is hardwood versus softwood. Hardwood comes from deciduous trees which lose their leaves seasonally, such as oak, maple, birch, beech, etc. Softwood comes from coniferous trees which keep their needles year-round, such as pine, spruce, fir, etc. Hardwood is generally considered superior to softwood for burning purposes. Here’s why:
- Hardwood burns slower – This allows the fire to last longer.
- Hardwood produces more heat – Hardwood has a higher energy density, creating more heat output per cord.
- Hardwood has less moisture – Freshly cut softwood has a moisture content up to 75%, while hardwood is usually 20-30% moisture.
- Hardwood makes less smoke – The denser structure of hardwood means it burns cleaner and more efficiently.
- Hardwood makes less sparks – Good for safety and requires less cleanup.
- Hardwood makes less creosote – Creosote is a tar-like substance that builds up in chimneys and can increase the risk of chimney fires.
For all these reasons, quality hardwoods like oak, hickory, and maple are the best choice for fueling a Solo Stove.
Good Woods to Use
Here are some specifics on the best hardwoods to use with your Solo Stove Mesa:
Oak
Oak is one of the most popular and readily available hardwoods. It has a dense grain structure that burns slowly and provides great heat output. Oak has a nice aroma when burned and makes great coals for a consistent fire. Just be sure to season oak at least 6 months before burning.
Maple
Maple is another excellent hardwood fuel choice. It is dense, dry, and easy to split. Maple burns cleanly and makes good coals like oak. Sugar maple in particular has a beautiful flame pattern. Maple may be harder to source than oak in some areas.
Birch
While not quite as dense as oak and maple, birch still makes an outstanding hardwood firewood. It lights easily, burns hot, and has pleasant aroma. Birch generates less smoke and sparks than other hardwoods. Dried birch will bring great crackling and popping sounds to your campfire ambiance.
Hickory
Known for its distinct bacon-like smell when burned, hickory has the highest energy density of common hardwoods. It burns very hot and consistently. Hickory makes excellent charcoal too. Availability may be limited in some regions.
Fruit Woods
Fruit tree woods like apple, cherry, and pear add a wonderful fragrance to your fire. They burn cleanly and evenly, though somewhat faster than denser hardwoods. Having a mix of fruit woods and hardwoods is a good combination.
Woods to Avoid
On the other hand, here are some types of wood that are poor choices for burning in the Solo Stove Mesa:
Pine
Pine is an example of a softwood that is not ideal for burning. While pine kindling is great for starting fires, pine logs burn very hot, fast, and make a lot of popping sparks. The sap and creosote content also leads to more smoke. Use pine with caution and only mix with hardwoods.
Cedar
Cedar has similar properties as pine that make it less than ideal for wood burning. It burns hot and fast, generates a lot of sparks, and can produce excessive smoke. The sap can also stick to the Mesa unit. Use cedar sparingly, if at all.
Spruce
Spruce is another very sappy softwood. It shares the same negatives as pine and cedar – quick to burn, smoky, and sparks excessively. Spruce may be OK for kindling, but avoid for fuel logs.
Aspen
While aspen is considered a hardwood, it has a very soft structure. Aspen burns extremely fast with low heat energy density. It also tends to pop and spark a lot in the fire. Use dried aspen sparingly as part of a hardwood mix.
Green Wood
It may be tempting to cut down a fresh log and throw it right on the fire, but green wood with a high moisture content is problematic. It will smolder and smoke instead of properly burning. Green wood also reduces the overall heating ability of the fire. Let all wood dry at least 6 months before burning.
Tips for Preparing Firewood
To get the best performance from your Solo Stove Mesa, follow these tips for selecting and preparing quality hardwood for fuel:
- Choose seasoned hardwood logs with 20% or less moisture content.
- Split logs to 3-6 inch diameter sizes for optimal air flow.
- Store wood for at least 6 months in a covered, ventilated area before burning.
- Avoid rotten, moldy, or partially burnt wood which smolders instead of properly burning.
- Mix softer woods like aspen or fruit woods with a majority hardwood fuel.
- Use softwoods only for kindling, not logs.
- Buy from a reputable wood seller that accurately states wood type and seasoning time.
Recommended Burning Tips
In addition to using proper hardwoods, here are some tips for the best burning experience with your Solo Stove Mesa:
- Open the air vents fully for at least 10-15 minutes after lighting the fire to reduce smoke.
- Let the fire establish a hot coal bed before reducing the air intake.
- Use small pieces of softwood kindling to quickly light the hardwood logs.
- Stack logs in a crossed or parallel arrangement to allow airflow.
- Add more logs before the fire gets too low to maintain consistent heat.
- Adjust the air vents to control the burn rate as needed.
- Let the coals completely burn out before disposing ashes.
Conclusion
Choosing the right wood makes a big difference in the performance and enjoyment of your Solo Stove Mesa fire pit. Quality hardwoods like oak, maple, birch, and hickory are ideal for burning. They light easily, burn slowly at high heat, and produce less smoke. Avoid softwoods like pine and cedar or unseasoned green wood. Follow the recommendations in this article to select excellent firewood and keep your Mesa running in top form for years of camping pleasure!
| Wood Type | Burn Characteristics | Recommended Use |
|---|---|---|
| Oak | Burns slow and hot, good coals | Great as primary fuel |
| Maple | Dense grain, clean burn | Mix with oak |
| Birch | Lights easily, hot fire | Combine with other hardwoods |
| Hickory | Very hot, consistent burn | Use moderately |
| Fruit Woods | Fragrant, fast burning | Use for aroma |
| Pine | Burns fast and hot | Avoid as fuel, use only kindling |
| Cedar | Smoky, sparks a lot | Do not use |
| Spruce | Pops, sparks, and smokes | Do not use |
| Aspen | Burns fast, sparks | Use minimally mixed with hardwoods |
| Green wood | Smolders and smoke | Never use |