How to Burn Freshly Cut Firewood in a Fire Pit

Whether you love hosting gatherings while using your fire pit or if you are the campfire master at your cabin by the lake, knowing what type of wood to use is a must anytime you plan to light a fire, big or small. If you are planning to ignite a fire, you may be wondering how to burn freshly cut wood, especially if you are out of other wood from your stockpile.

Can You Burn Freshly Cut Firewood in a Fire Pit?

While it is possible to burn some types of freshly cut wood, any wood that is considered green that has not yet dried out or been seasoned should not be burned or should be avoided as much as possible. Burning wood that is considered to be freshly cut and green can be nearly impossible, especially if the wood has not had any time to dry out.

Additionally, even if you can successfully start the green and freshly cut wood you are using on fire, there is no guarantee that the fire will remain gradual and steady for any length of time. It is best to stick to firewood that has been completely dried in this scenario.

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How to Burn Freshly Cut Firewood in a Firepit?

First, you will need to choose a type of firewood suitable for burning. When freshly cut, some of the best firewood choices to burn in your firepit include pine, ash, and maple. Chop the wood accordingly while splitting the wood in half to help accelerate the drying (if necessary).

Allow the wood to dry as long as possible, exposing it to sunlight during the day while using protective tarps or shelter to prevent additional moisture buildup. Stack separate pieces of wood to create a pyramid or teepee, allowing for airflow in between each layer of wood. Use the igniter of your choice to begin burning your firewood.

Why Does it Matter What Type of Firewood I use in my Fire Pit or Campfire?

You may be thinking that any type of wood should obviously burn, regardless of what type of wood you are using and whether or not it has been properly seasoned and dried out. However, this is not the case. Choosing the right wood can make all of the difference when it comes to having a fire pit or a campfire. If you choose to use the wrong wood, including freshly cut firewood or green wood, you may experience an array of troubles, including:

The inability to light a fire in your firepit
The inability to maintain a fire once it is lit
The inability to maintain the steady burning of the firewood you are using
Excessive and unnecessary smoke production in your campfire
Potentially hazardous chemicals are released into the surrounding atmosphere depending on the type of wood and materials being burned

What Types of Firewood are Good for Burning in a Fire Pit?

While it is never advisable to use freshly cut or green wood to burn in a fire pit or campfire, a few different types of wood can be burned successfully without problems.

Maple Firewood

Maple is a popular pick of wood that can be burned with ease and without excess smoke. It is also a prime pick for those who enjoy cooking over wood stoves and wood burners.

Ash Firewood

Ashwood is one of the most popular and common wood types used for firewood and fire pits. Using ash is optimal for those interested in long-lasting fires and ones that are intense with heat and a roaring fire.

Oak Firewood

Oak is another popular wood used alongside maple in firepits and campfires alike. Oakwood is highly flammable but will burn slow and is exceptionally long-lasting. One of the downfalls of using oak wood is that it may require up to numerous years to completely dry out, making it one of the more expensive types of wood that can be used to burn in a fire pit.

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Cherry Firewood

Cherry wood is another ideal type of wood for any fire pit or campfire. Although a bit pricier than birch, beech, or ash wood, cherry does deliver the ambiance of a Fall evening without all of the extra effort and manual labor.

Beech Firewood

Beechwood is another affordable and popular type of firewood used in traditional fire pits and campfires. If you are interested in a classic and warm fire that is affordable year-round, using beech wood is a solid choice.

Pine Firewood

One of the most inexpensive types of wood that can be successfully used in both traditional fire pits is pine wood. Pinewood is not only affordable, but it also provides a crackling sound that is reminiscent of nostalgic campfires in the woods. While pine is a great and inexpensive choice for fire pits, it is best suited for kindling instead of traditional firewood logs. Pine burns extremely fast, making for a much shorter fire, even with a large stock.

Knowing what to do when all you have is freshly cut wood, and a fire pit is a way to navigate a tricky situation whenever you are spending time outdoors.