Maintaining an even heat output from a fireplace requires wood that gives maximum heat and has a long burn time - hardwoods have these characteristics.

Oak, expensive in price, but also the best option for any fireplace. Its wood has a high density and "long-burning", the heat value of oak is the highest of all other commercially available firewood. The only disadvantage - they are difficult to ignite. This problem can be solved by adding birch or alder wood chips for kindling.

Birch gives acceptable heat, burns slowly and smolders for a long time, but its tar content produces a strong smoke. Combining it with other woods, such as aspen or alder, will reduce the formation of soot. The price to calorific value ratio of birch firewood is excellent, and it also burns well when wet.

Aspen and alder are good for cleaning chimneys from soot and soot deposits. In pure form, just for the furnace, such wood is not used - the heat output is much less than that of oak or birch firewood.

Of the conifers smolder for a long time and not bad keep warm cedar and pine, but they smoke a lot and burn quickly. The structure of wood species is soft and, accordingly, calorific value is low.

When burning softwood, such as pine and spruce, sparks are formed and are not suitable for an open fireplace. They may well be used in combination with oak or birch firewood, placing them underneath the others.