Get your marshmallows, because nothing is better than sitting by a warm fire. It doesn’t matter if you are sitting at a campfire, a fireplace or a campfire, it is a great way to unwind and enjoy the warm feeling it gives off. There are a few things that can make your fire-lighting experience even more enjoyable.

For a variety of reasons, White Oak is superior to Red Oak for firewood. White Oak is non-porous, which means it can last longer and heat up quickly without producing a lot smoke. White Oak is more dense than Red Oak, and produces 29.1 BTUs/cord. Red Oak produces 24.6 BTUs.

Continue reading as we discuss why White Oak is better for Red Oak and what firewood must-haves!

The Must-Haves of Firewood

The two main factors that make firewood good are density and water content. A piece of firewood that is dense and dry is ideal is one that is dense and dry. The wood that is denser and dryer will allow for more heat to be burned.

White Oak is the most popular firewood when it comes to High Heat Value. High Heat Value refers to heat produced by a cord of firewood compared to heat generated from burning 200-250 gallons heating oil.

A cord is a standard measure of firewood volume. This measurement is based upon 4x4x8 feet stacks of firewood. It makes up approximately 128 cubic feet. Stacked firewood has a name and purpose.

Hardwood Makes for Better Firewood

Wood comes in many sizes and shapes, but it is important to determine if the wood you are using for firewood is either softwood or hardwood.

Because of their dense, hard nature, hardwoods are ideal for making firewood. Red Oak and White Oak are great for lighting a fire, but White Oak has some advantages over Red Oak.

Hardwoods burn cleaner and take up less wood than softwood. Softwoods burn slower so you’ll use more firewood. Hardwood is better for the environment and costs less.

9 Reasons Why White Oak is Better Firewood than Red Oak

While Red Oak and White Oak are the best firewoods, there are good reasons to choose White Oak over Red Oak.

White Oak Is Denser Than Red Oak

White Oak Trees take longer for them to grow so the wood becomes denser. Because it produces more heat, dense wood is ideal for use as firewood.

You want to be able to enjoy the fire for a long time, and you also need heat. White Oak’s dense nature allows you to relax and enjoy the fire while not having to constantly get up to replace the wood.

White Oak, due to its density, is strong and hardy wood that can be found almost anywhere. The wood produces more heat.

White Oak Burns Longer Than Red Oak

White Oak is more durable than Red Oak due to its density. It’s true that a dense material takes longer to heat up than a lighter one.

A long fire is a good thing. A longer burn means less firewood and is therefore more sustainable. White Oak firewood logs can burn for up to two hours.

White Oak is Non-Porous

The moisture content of wood is one of the most important aspects of choosing firewood. The drier the wood the better.

White Oak is a non-porous hardwood, which means it doesn’t absorb water or moisture as well as Red Oak.

White Oak, which isn’t porous, is denser and more durable than other oaks. It is also stronger and drier. White Oak is an excellent choice for firewood.

White Oak Dries Faster Than Red Oak

Also, White Oak is more durable than Red Oak because it dries quicker. It isn’t porous, but it can still get wet.

Oak trees are outdoors all year. The wood can get wet from rain or precipitation. However, because it is not porous, water doesn’t penetrate the wood and keeps it dry.

Oak wood takes 6-24 months to properly season when you season it for firewood. White Oak firewood dried quicker than Red Oak. The better the burn, the dryer the wood.

White Oak Burns Cleaner Than Red Oak

White Oak burns cleaner than other woods because it is relatively dry.

Burning clean is to produce less smoke, less sizzling, popping and more dark and dirty smoke. White Oak is cleaner than other woods, which means you will get more fire and less toxic emissions.

White Oak Produces Less Smoke Than Red Oak

White Oak produces less smoke because it is cleaner.

The amount of smoke produced by White Oaks is affected by its density. The logs that have more wood will produce more smoke.

Wood is enough to light a fire. Because it is dense, one log can produce very little smoke if it has been given enough oxygen and is not extremely dry.

White Oak Produces More Heat Per Cord

White Oak is extremely hot and will remain hot for a very long time.

White Oak produces 29.1 BTUs per Cord when dry. Red Oak produces 24.6 BTUs. This makes white Oak the more popular choice.

For fireplaces, firewood is best if it burns hotter.

The heat factor is an important consideration when looking for firewood. Warmer fires will heat your home in colder weather quicker and last longer. Also, the more hot the fire, the less creosote buildup you have in your chimneys.

White Oak Trees Have Straight Grains That Are Easy to Split

White Oak is great for firewood, as it is much easier to split. While it is a bit more difficult than Red Oak, White Oak is easier to split.

White Oak Trees are slow to grow and can grow to very high heights. This makes it ideal for splitting.

You will need to use the grains to cut the logs in half. If you have a machine to split the logs, it doesn’t matter. However, White Oak is an excellent option if you have an ax.

White Oak is Less Expensive Than Red Oak

Although White Oak is more expensive upfront, it will be cheaper over the long-term, especially if you use firewood all the time.

Good quality firewood burns longer and lasts for longer. You will use less wood than if you used other types. White Oak is a high-quality wood for firewood and will burn for long times.

White Oak is more efficient than Red Oak in terms of burning time, heat retention, smoking duration, drying times, and cost-effectiveness. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Tips for the Getting the Most from White Oak Firewood

Now that you know how great White Oak firewood can be, it is time to tell you more about firewood . White Oak is great. But there are some things you can do to get the best out of your firewood, regardless of what firewood you use!

Buy Firewood Locally

Sometimes, buying firewood locally is the best option. Buying local firewood promotes sustainable forestry.

White Oak can be bought locally to prevent imports of insets from other areas.

The price of firewood will be lower economically because it doesn’t require you to pay high transport costs. Wood is heavy and expensive to ship so buying local will benefit your local businesses as well as your wallet.

Check The Density of The Wood 

We know that White Oak is a dense choice for firewood, but it really does matter what density. The longer the firewood burns, the cleaner it will be and the more smoke it will produce.

Always choose dense wood when choosing firewood.

Buy Wood Without Moisture

This is one the most important characteristics of firewood. Wet firewood can create smokey fires and more creosote.

A hydrometer can be used to check the moisture content of your firewood. A firewood with a moisture level of 30% or less is considered good. The lower the moisture, the better.

You can tell if the logs are dry or wet by looking at their ends. Cracked log ends usually indicate that the log is dry.

You can find a Moisture Meter from Tyho Tech here if you’re looking for a hydrometer.

Avoid Scrap Wood or Lumbar for Firewood

If you don’t like firewood or want to light your fire pit for the season all year, we recommend that you avoid scrap wood and lumbar.

It is not a good idea to use all wood. There are woods with paint, varnish, glue, varnish and nails.

You are creating toxic fumes by burning these woods. This is not only bad for you, but also for the environment.

It may seem cheap or free, but the risks associated with this wood are too great to pass up. This wood is also very poor at burning and can produce a lot of smoke.

Buy Seasoned Wood or Season it Yourself

There is a good chance that the firewood you buy is already seasoned. If you cut your own firewood, you will need to season it before you use it.

How Do You Season White Oak Firewood?

Although it is time-consuming, seasoning White Oak firewood takes a lot of effort. Seasoning White Oak firewood can take anywhere from 2 to 3 years.

Seasoning wood involves drying your firewood completely before using it. It can take up to two years for a log to dry completely to 20% moisture. This is why White Oak tends to dry faster than Red Oak.

It is important to season wood because it can be a waste if it is used too soon. White Oak wood that’s too wet won’t provide the same amazing benefits as when it’s dry. You will also need more to make it last longer.

We love the idea of clean-burning wood. However, wood that has been exposed to moisture will still produce black soot, which will cause uneven burning.

Red Oak Firewood Is Still a Good Option

While we’ve spoken a lot about White Oak’s benefits, the truth is that Red Oak also has its advantages.

Red Oak is an excellent choice for firewood, and not only because of its versatility. Red Oak, a hardwood, produces high heat, burns for a long time, and is more valuable than White Oak in terms of lumbar.

Red oak has a high heat property and is readily available. Red Oak is a clean-burning, easy-to-use wood. However, it has a downside: it produces more smoke and burns faster than other woods.

Other Types of Firewood

There are many other firewood options that are just as good as White Oak. Maple and Ash rank higher than Oak firewood.

You can find more information about the differences between oak and Maple Tree’s here.

Maple and Ash are great alternatives to Oak if you are unable to find it. They offer many of the same benefits as Red Oak and White Oak.

White Oak may be the best choice for firewood, but as long as it burns clean, gives warmth, and is affordable and sustainable, you’re doing a great job!

That’s a Wrap!

A campfire or fireplace is a great place to share the most memorable moments of your life. A controlled fire is used to heat homes and cook food. Sometimes, it’s just for fun.

When choosing firewood, it is important to ensure that the fire is safe to use as well as safe for the environment. White Oak is a great choice and you’ll be happy with the many benefits it offers.