When planning to spend an evening around the fire, choosing the right wood is essential. It
determines how long the fire will burn, how strong the flame will be, and, most importantly,
whether you’ll have to deal with smoke. In this guide, we’ll help you understand which wood
works best for your Masuria Wild fire pit.

What Affects the Quality of Fire Pit Wood?

The key factor is moisture content. Wet wood not only produces smoke but also burns much
slower, resulting in a smaller flame and making it much harder to light. The wood used in a fire
pit should have a moisture content of less than 20%, so it’s best to use wellseasoned or
kilndried wood.
Another important factor is the type of wood. Hardwood and softwood have different properties,
and below we’ll explain which ones work best.

Best Types of Wood for a Fire Pit

1. Hardwood – The Best Choice

Hardwood is the best option for fire pits because of its density and clean burn. Here are some of
the most popular types:

Oak: A very popular wood for fire pits. It’s heavy, burns long and steadily, and provides strong
heat. Oak doesn’t produce much smoke, making it a great option for our smokeless fire pits.

Beech: Similar to oak, beech is a hardwood that burns for a long time and produces intense
heat. One of its advantages is that it dries relatively quickly, making it easy to use.

Birch: It’s softer than oak or beech but great for kindling. Birch lights easily and burns quickly,
but it produces a bright, clean flame and little smoke. Therefore, it’s a good idea to use birch
alongside harder woods.

Ash: Ash has excellent burning properties—it holds embers for a long time and produces little
ash. Even freshly cut ash burns better than most other woods, but it’s still best to dry it for
optimal performance.

2. Softwood – Use with Caution, but Don’t Dismiss It Entirely

Softwood, such as pine or spruce, has its pros and cons. It’s easily available and lights quickly,
making it great for kindling. However, it tends to produce more smoke and soot, which can be a
problem. If you choose to use softwood, use it mainly for starting the fire, and then add
hardwood for a cleaner burn.

How to Properly Prepare Wood for a Fire Pit

To ensure optimal burning, wood should be welldried and stored properly. Here are a few steps
to do so:

1. Seasoning: Ideally, wood should be seasoned for at least 612 months to bring its moisture
   content down to around 1520%. Wellseasoned wood burns cleanly and without excessive
   smoke.
2. Storage: Wood should be stored in a wellventilated, dry place, such as under a shelter. It
   shouldn’t be stacked directly on the ground—use pallets to ensure proper airflow.
3. Size of Pieces: Wood should be evenly cut into pieces appropriate for the fire pit. Pieces that
   are too large may burn unevenly, while those that are too small will burn too quickly.

What Wood to Avoid?

Wet Wood: It burns unevenly, produces a lot of smoke, and creates tar that can dirty the fire pit.
Painted or Treated Wood: Burning such wood can be dangerous, as it releases harmful fumes.
Always use only natural, untreated wood.

Construction Scraps: These may contain chemicals, adhesives, and other substances that can
be toxic when burned.

Conclusion

Choosing the right wood for your fire pit is key to creating a clean, warm flame without excessive
smoke. Hardwood—such as oak, beech, or birch—provides the ideal conditions for long, steady
burning. Remember to dry and prepare the wood properly before burning.
Masuria Wild is more than just fire pits—it’s about the experience of a clean fire, where every
detail matters. Choose the right wood, light your fire, and enjoy the magic of the moment by the
flames.

Check out our fire pits:

[Alpha Camp]()
[Alpha 600]()
[Alpha 800]()
Ready for more tips? Read our article on [safe fire pit usage]().