Maple vs Ash Firewood: A Complete Comparison

When choosing firewood for your home, two of the most popular options are maple and ash. Both are dense hardwoods that produce a lot of heat, but they also have some key differences. Here, we break down the benefits, drawbacks and differences of each so you can build the perfect crackling fire for your needs.   

Maple Firewood 

• BTU: 25-30 million BTUs per cord 
• Burning time: 2-3 hours 
• Ease of splitting: Moderate 
• Aroma: Sweet and pleasant 

Maple firewood is a good all-around choice for home use. It burns hot and long, and it has a pleasant aroma. However, it can be more difficult to split than ash, and it may creosote more easily. 

Ash Firewood 

• BTU: 25-28 million BTUs per cord 
• Burning time: 1-2 hours 
• Ease of splitting: Easy 
• Aroma: Mild and woody 

Ash firewood is another excellent choice for home use. It burns hot and quickly, and it is very easy to split. However, it does not burn for as long as maple, and it may produce more sparks. 

Maple vs Ash Firewood: Which is Best? 

The best type of firewood for your home depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you are looking for firewood that will burn hot and long, maple is a good choice. If you are looking for firewood that is easy to split, ash is a good choice.  

Think about how much time you want to (or can) spend chopping. Do you need the fire to last all night?  

Here is a table summarizing the key differences between maple and ash firewood: 

Ultimately, the best way to decide which type of firewood is right for you is to try both and see which one you prefer.  

Additional Firewood Considerations 

Here are some additional factors to consider when choosing firewood for your home: 

1. Seasoning: Firewood should be seasoned for at least one year before use. Seasoned firewood burns hotter and cleaner than unseasoned firewood. 

2. Storage: Store your firewood in a dry, well-ventilated area. Wet firewood will not burn properly and may produce creosote. 

3. Safety: Always use a fireplace screen to prevent sparks from flying out. 

Need Firewood in Hamilton? 

Hamilton Builders' Supply is your one-stop shop for all your firewood needs. We offer a wide variety of high-quality maple and ash firewood, as well as other fireplace essentials. Contact us today to learn more or to place an order.