The best wood to burn...

[Breven]

After my 5th curing fire, I decided it was time to buy some firewood and see how that burns (the first 5 fires were all scrap 2x4's from the build). I understand that a hardwood is the longest burning wood and perhaps burns hotter? I live in a desert. As you can imagine, not a whole lot of firewood for sale around here. I did find a couple of places that sell firewood- both recomended Almond (which was the most expensive) as the best wood to burn in a brick pizza oven. I was told to stay away from cheap softer wood like Pine, Avacado and oily wood like Eucalyptus. I bouhgt a few logs to test out before buying a cord, and burned a few of the Almond logs last night. Got a roaring fire going for my 6th cure. I estimated I was around 600 degrees. It seemed to burn real well- but what do I know. I was curous if anyone had any insight as to what kind of wood burns best and if everyoen agrees which kind of wood to stay away from?

[Breven]

Re: The best wood to burn...

I've read some of the older threads on wood selection...think I have the info i need...but feel free to comment anyway if you like.

I'm goign to stick with the Almond. It's $340 a cord including delivery. I think thats pretty decent. By the way, I found some Oak at a firewood place in the local mountains, they want $520 a cord. He also said he can get mesquite..which is $500 for a 1/4 cord.

[toddj]

Re: The best wood to burn...

is it ok to burn pinion wood - bet that would smell great!

[Ken524]

Re: The best wood to burn...

I believe pinon trees are members of the pine family. If they are soft like pine, then burning them in your oven would be a no-no. Stick with hard wood.

[asudavew]

Re: The best wood to burn...

I've read some of the older threads on wood selection...think I have the info i need...but feel free to comment anyway if you like.

I'm goign to stick with the Almond. It's $340 a cord including delivery. I think thats pretty decent. By the way, I found some Oak at a firewood place in the local mountains, they want $520 a cord. He also said he can get mesquite..which is $500 for a 1/4 cord.

I can get mesquite for 150 a cord... and I thought that was expensive.

Maybe we need to team up. I'll find it .. you can sell it.

It grows everywhere here.

[rlf5]

Re: The best wood to burn...

Wow! 150 for a cord...that only gets me 1/2 a cord here.

[asudavew]

Re: The best wood to burn...

Wow! 150 for a cord...that only gets me 1/2 a cord here.

Humid in Houston. Hot and dry in ole West Texas. It's the desert!

And the mesquite tree is like a big weed. It takes over prairies, pastures, and even parks.

The other day someone was advertising it for free, but you had cut it yourself.
And I still haven't invested in a chainsaw yet.....
That probably was the right time..
Oh well .. next time maybe

dave

[mfiore]

Re: The best wood to burn...

OK, I'm feeling a little guilty. I live in Michigan. Trees everywhere. My father lives on 40 acres of apple trees. I have access to trailer loads of applewood from fallen limbs every year.

(hey, some of you guys don't have to pay to ship heavy Forno Bravo supplies clear accross the country)

[toddj]

Re: The best wood to burn...

What about Pecan wood? I have huge Pecan trees. I had a 8" diameter limb fall last night that stylized my fence for me.

[asudavew]

Re: The best wood to burn...

OK, I'm feeling a little guilty. I live in Michigan. Trees everywhere. My father lives on 40 acres of apple trees. I have access to trailer loads of applewood from fallen limbs every year.

Sweet!

Amazing how wood becomes a part of your day-to-day life when you have a WFO.....

[mfiore]

Re: The best wood to burn...

Sweet!

Amazing how wood becomes a part of your day-to-day life when you have a WFO.....

This is true! My wife thinks I'm sick. When we have a bad storm, I drive around looking for downed trees!

[Breven]

Re: The best wood to burn...

Dave- funny you mention that about Mesquite. The firewood guy told me it only grows in Texas and has to be trucked in. Which is why its so expensive. No mesquite in CA.

[egalecki]

Re: The best wood to burn...

I've been using a mix of black walnut and locust. They grow here in Virginia sort of like mesquite in Texas... The locust burns a lot hotter than the walnut.

Pecan makes great smoking wood- I get some from my parent's house in NC when they have enough wind to knock branches out.

I also have a large supply of pecan shells from said trees... Can I use them in the oven?

[Modthyrth]

Re: The best wood to burn...

Dave- funny you mention that about Mesquite. The firewood guy told me it only grows in Texas and has to be trucked in. Which is why its so expensive. No mesquite in CA.

Your firewood guy is fibbing. From wikipedia:

Mesquite (from Nahuatl mizquitl) is a leguminous plant of the Prosopis genus found in Northern Mexico and the United States from the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas up to southwestern Kansas and from southeastern California and southwestern Utah to the southern limits of the Sonoran desert. Mesquite trees are also found in the Chihuahuan Desert of Mexico.

Not a huge range, but way more than just Texas! It's certainly all over Arizona.

[thebadger]

Re: The best wood to burn...

My goal is not to buy any wood...

I'm hoping to find what I need on Cragslist - most people don't know what to do with trees once they cut them down.

Hint - check CL after a big storm

Dick