Selecting the right firewood is a crucial decision for wood stove owners. One wood species that often sparks debate is cedar. In this article, we’ll provide a clear and concise examination of whether cedar makes good firewood for wood-burning stoves, considering both its advantages and limitations.
The Advantages of Cedar Firewood
Easy to Ignite: Cedar is known for its low moisture content, which makes it easy to ignite. It lights up quickly, making it convenient for starting and maintaining a fire in your wood-burning stove.
Pleasant Aroma: Cedar produces a pleasant, aromatic scent when burned. This can enhance the ambiance of your home and create a cozy atmosphere.
Quick Heat: Cedar is a softwood, and softwoods generally burn faster and hotter than hardwoods. This means you can quickly generate heat in your wood stove.
Minimal Creosote: Cedar produces less creosote compared to many other softwoods, which can help reduce the risk of chimney fires and the need for frequent chimney cleaning.
Limitations of Cedar Firewood
Fast Burn Rate: While the quick heat is an advantage, cedar’s fast burn rate can be a drawback. You may need to add more wood more frequently compared to hardwoods, which can be less convenient.
Less Long-Lasting Coals: Cedar does not create long-lasting coals like hardwoods do. This means you’ll need to maintain a more constant supply of wood to keep your wood stove running.
Resin and Soot: Cedar contains natural resins that can create more soot and creosote buildup in your chimney compared to some hardwoods. Regular chimney cleaning is still essential.
Less Energy Efficiency: While cedar produces heat quickly, it doesn’t have the same energy density as hardwoods, which means you might go through more wood to maintain the same heat level.
When is Cedar Suitable for Firewood?
Cedar can be a suitable choice for firewood in specific situations:
Starting Fires: Cedar is excellent for kindling and getting your wood stove started due to its easy ignition properties.
Ambiance: If you’re more interested in the aesthetic experience of a wood-burning stove, the pleasant aroma of burning cedar can be appealing.
Mixing with Hardwoods: Combining cedar with hardwoods can balance the fast burn rate of cedar with the longer-lasting coals and higher energy density of hardwoods.
Conclusion
While cedar has its advantages, it may not be the ideal primary firewood for wood-burning stoves, especially if you rely on your stove for consistent, long-lasting heat. Its fast burn rate and lower energy density make it less efficient than hardwoods. However, it can still be a valuable addition to your firewood collection, particularly for kindling and for enhancing the ambiance of your wood stove. If you choose to burn cedar, remember to take necessary precautions for chimney maintenance and consider mixing it with hardwoods for more efficient and sustainable heating.