If you’re a fire pit owner, one of the most important questions you face is how to fuel your fire. Once you’ve ruled out inferior firewood options like store-bought firewood and seasoned firewood, you’re still left choosing between many different types of firewood for sale. One of the variations you have to consider is the size of the firewood. Should you go for the standard size, or do you need wood that is large enough to be labeled “oversized”? Read on to find out more about each available size of kiln-dried firewood.
Standard Firewood and the Next Size Up
For most fire pits and fireside events, standard-sized kiln-dried firewood is perfect. It fits well into most patio and backyard pits, and it burns long enough that you’ll never have to worry that your fire will be down to nothing before the end of your social gathering. Therefore, if you have a normal-sized fire pit and you’re not planning for any special event, standard-sized kiln-dried firewood will almost always give you the results you are looking for.
However, if your fire pit is slightly larger than the standard size, you may want to consider opting for slightly large wood--that is, kiln-dried firewood that’s either 24 or 30 inches long. Not only will this firewood be a better fit for your unique setup, but it will also burn slightly longer, which means extending your parties, social events, and fireside hangouts just a little bit longer into the night. You can get your go-to oak or hickory in the 24-inch or 30-inch length, or you can opt for 24-inch cherry firewood, which is ideal for cooking up summer meats. Whether you’re preparing your meat using your grill grate or roasting hot dogs or sausages on roasting forks, this firewood will impart a sweet flavor that significantly enhances the quality of your meal. No matter which of these types of firewood is ideally suited to your needs, it’s great to know that they are available in the 24- to 30-inch length for your slightly oversized fire pit.
What “Oversized” Kiln-Dried Firewood Actually Means
It is important to note that 24-inch and 30-inch kiln-dried firewood doesn’t actually qualify as “oversized” kiln-dried firewood. If you opt specifically for “oversized” oak or hickory firewood, you’ll get split logs that are the same length as regular-sized kiln-dried firewood, but the logs are three to four times thicker. Compared to regular-sized firewood, the main benefit of oversized firewood is that it burns for twice as long. That makes it ideal for longer parties or all-day events, like weddings, when you’re expecting to have your fire burning for hours on end. However, it is important to note that when you choose oversized firewood, there are some drawbacks--for instance, your fire will lose a bit of its brightness, and its pleasant aroma won’t be quite as strong.
You also need to be aware that oversized firewood can be a lot harder to light than regular-sized firewood. If you don’t want to waste valuable time trying to get the flame to take, it is recommended that you actually pair some of this firewood with regular-sized kiln-dried firewood, which lights much more easily and can quickly get the fire going throughout your fire pit. Other fire starters, like kindling and heart pine, can also help. By strategically mixing up the contents of your fire pit, you can make the most of the benefits of oversized firewood while minimizing the potential drawbacks.
Uncut Rounds of Oak Firewood: The Largest Size Option
The largest kiln-dried firewood you can get is uncut rounds of oak firewood. These rounds of oak are 24 inches long, and they are a good 4 to 8 inches in diameter. When you use uncut rounds, there’s not doubt that your fire pit will have a rustic, outdoorsy feel. And you won’t have a single concern about time, since each log can burn for anywhere from two to five hours. Moreover, if it’s a cool night, you can be confident that your guests will stay warm, since burning uncut rounds gives off enough heat to keep a small crowd comfortable. Therefore, for a long night around the fire pit when you want to emphasize the ruggedness of the experience, uncut oak rounds are the way to go.
Again, however, it is important to plan your fire-starting strategy well in advance. Uncut rounds are even harder to get burning than oversized firewood, so you should ideally start the fire with regular-sized hickory--the kiln-dried firewood that takes to the flame the most easily. As with oversized firewood, kindling and heart pine can also make a big difference if you’re struggling to get the fire going when you’re using uncut rounds.
Cutting Edge Firewood knows that there is a time and place for every size of firewood--regular-sized firewood, 24-inch the 30-inch firewood (the next size up), oversized firewood, and uncut rounds. We can help you find the right one for any fire pit and any occasion. Visit our order page today to get it delivered right to your door!
