Firewood Heat Output: Comparing the Best (and Worst) Woods to Burn in CNY
If you’ve ever wondered why one fire keeps your house warm all night and another fizzles out in an hour, the answer often comes down to wood species.
Different types of firewood offer different levels of heat, burn time, and coaling properties — all of which affect your heating efficiency and overall experience.
At Grabeldinger Firewood, we sell mixed hardwood loads sourced from selective harvests in the Upstate NY region. While we do not sort firewood by species, our customers can expect a consistent mix of high-performing hardwoods— with no scrap and no softwoods.
What’s in a Typical Load?
We focus on dense, long-burning hardwoods ideal for home heating, wood stoves, and fire pits. Most loads include:
Maple – Especially sugar and red maple, known for high heat and a clean burn.
Beech – Dense, consistent, and reliable. Excellent for stoves and overnight burns.
Hickory – One of the hottest-burning species available. Great for both heat and cooking.
Cherry – Moderate heat with a fragrant smoke. A favorite for fireplaces and ambiance.
Ash – Easy to light and good heat. Burns well even if not perfectly seasoned.
This blend delivers excellent coals, long burn times, and strong heat output — making it a dependable fuel source across the heating season.
Firewood Heat Output Comparison (BTUs per full Cord)
Firewood Heat Output Comparison
Hickory
27–30 million BTU
Extremely hot, long burn
Oak (rare in our loads)
26–28 million BTU
Hot and steady, slow seasoning
Sugar Maple
24–26 million BTU
Clean, hot, great coals
Beech
24–25 million BTU
Dense, reliable heat
Ash
23–24 million BTU
Lights easily, solid burn
Cherry
20–22 million BTU
Fragrant, medium heat
Birch
19–20 million BTU
Fast-burning, good for kindling
Why Mixed Hardwood Makes Sense
Some firewood suppliers offer single-species wood, but that often comes with higher costs and less consistency throughout the season.
At Grabeldinger Firewood, we deliver a dense, balanced mix of native hardwoods — giving you the ideal combination of heat output, long burn time, and easy ignition. Whether you’re heating your home all winter or just building a backyard bonfire, our wood gets the job done right.
Important: For indoor wood stoves and fireplaces, only properly seasoned hardwood should be used. Softwoods and certain low-density species produce more creosote, a flammable buildup in chimneys that increases the risk of chimney fires.
Our mixed hardwood loads are safe, efficient, and ideal for interior burning.
Need a load delivered?
Check out our firewood information and pricing, or call/text us with any questions. We’re proud to serve the Mohawk Valley with honest wood and hard work.
