Should I burn Softwood or Hardwood?

When it comes to burning wood in a stove, both softwood and hardwood can be used as fuel. However, there are some differences between them that you may want to consider.

Softwood, such as pine, spruce, and fir, is generally easier to light and burns faster than hardwood. It also produces less ash, which can make cleaning your stove easier. However, softwood has a lower density than hardwood, which means it has less energy content per volume. This means that you will need to burn more softwood to produce the same amount of heat as hardwood.

Hardwood, such as oak, maple, and birch, is denser and burns slower than softwood. It also produces more heat per volume, which means you will need to burn less wood to produce the same amount of heat as softwood. However, hardwood can be more difficult to light and may require more effort to get the fire started.

Ultimately, the decision between softwood and hardwood for your wood-burning stove depends on your personal preference and the availability of wood in your area. If you have access to both types of wood, you may want to consider using a mix of both to get the benefits of each. Just make sure that the wood you use is properly seasoned and dry to ensure safe and efficient burning.