Which Firewood Is Right for You?

Oak. Properly seasoned oak is dense, burns slowly and leaves a long-lasting bed of coals, so you reload less often. Piñon burns longer than pine or aspen but not as long as oak. Our firewood comparison page lays this out side by side.

Piñon, by a wide margin. Its sweet, resinous aroma is the signature smell of a Southwest fire and the reason people ask for it by name. Pine has a pleasant scent too; aspen and oak are mild.

It depends on what you want. Piñon smells incredible, burns a bit longer and makes for a more memorable fire, but it costs more and isn't always available. Pine is cheaper, lights faster and is almost always in stock. For an everyday fire, pine. For a dinner party or a night on the patio, piñon.

For heat and burn time, yes. Oak burns hotter and far longer, which makes it the better wood-stove fuel and the better choice for long cold evenings. Pine lights much more easily and costs less. Many customers use both: start the fire with pine, then add oak once it's established.

When it's properly seasoned, aspen is good everyday firewood. It lights easily, burns clean with little smoke and mixes well with other woods. It won't burn as long or as hot as oak, so it's best for recreational fires, cabins and fire pits rather than heating a whole house.

For most Park City fireplaces, pine is the practical everyday choice and oak is the upgrade for long evenings. If ambiance matters, piñon is the one guests remember. A mixed load of pine for starting plus oak or piñon for the main burn is what we recommend most often.

Piñon is the fire-pit favorite for its aroma and crackle. Pine is a close second for its easy lighting and lively flame, and it's more affordable. Either way, dry seasoned wood is the key to a fire pit that lights quickly and doesn't smoke out your guests.

Oak. Its density, long burn and steady heat make it the ideal wood-stove fuel, especially overnight. Keep some pine on hand for kindling and easy starts. Read our oak firewood guide for more.