Learning to cook with a campfire is a difficult skill to master. One thing that can make this task incredibly easier is to invest in the best woods for campfire cooking.
If you’re using the wrong type of wood, you’ll have a difficult time getting the fire started. To help you, we’ve compiled a list of the 4 best woods for campfire cooking.
The 4 Best Woods for Campfire Cooking
1. Wilson Enterprises Split Firewood
2. Smoak Firewood Premium Oak Firewood
3. Oak Kiln-Dried Firewood
4. Smoak Firewood Cooking Wood Logs
Top Choice
This package includes split logs, which are much easier to work with than whole logs. More importantly, you get hardwood, which ignites easily and burns slowly.
Reviews of Best Woods for Campfire Cooking
There are different types of woods that you can use for campfire cooking. Here are detailed reviews of some examples of wood that you can use:
Wilson Enterprises Split Firewood
If you’re looking for wood that will help you build a fire within minutes, this set of cherry logs is an excellent option.
Although the logs we are reviewing here are cherry, you have the option of choosing from maple and birch as well.
The logs are about 18 inches long with a diameter of 2 to 3 inches. These are neatly packed into a box measuring 12 inches long by 12 inches wide. This makes them easy to carry and store for your camping expedition.
Also, these logs do not contain any chemical treatments or additives. Thus, you don’t have to worry about any toxic emissions once you burn the wood.Another thing that sets the Wilson Enterprises logs apart is the fact that they arrive already split. This saves you the trouble of having to cut the wood yourself.
Better yet, split firewood lights a fire more quickly and easily than whole logs. The split logs contain less of the flame-retardant bark; hence easier to ignite.
Best Usage
If you want your food to have a fruity aroma, the cherry split logs are just what you need. Cherry wood is known for its rich, tangy fragrance, and this will be infused into the food you’re preparing.
Most species of birch trees have a slightly sweet smell. This makes them equally great for cooking food at campsites. However, the main advantage of cooking with birch is the fact that it’s highly flammable. It ignites faster than other types of wood.
Maple emits a mild, sweet aroma upon burning. This means it’s suitable for smoking products like vegetables and cheese. Its sweet flavor also complements small game birds nicely.
- The Wilson firewood box is made with convenience and ease of use in mind. Shipped right to your doorstep, making obtaining firewood a breeze. Packed and easy to handle, this product is perfect for locations that may be difficult to obtain or bring firewood to
- Firewood undergoes a kiln dry process that wicks away moisture to create a hotter burn, less smoke, and prevents smoldering
- Includes 1 extra large box (16”x 12”x 12”) containing natural split and seasoned firewood, ranging from 1 to 3 inches in diameter, weight varies per box
Pros
- Neat packaging for ease of carrying
- Split firewood, which ignites faster than whole logs
- Does not have any chemical treatments
Cons
- Expensive, given the number of logs per box
Smoak Firewood Premium Oak Firewood
Want logs that will produce large amounts of heat, steadily? The Premium Oak Firewood by Smoak Firewood is your best bet.
The mini logs are about 8 inches long and come packed in a 12 x 12-inch box. This makes for easy storage and portability.
But if you prefer a bigger size, the manufacturer provides these logs in two larger sizes. You can choose between 16-inch logs weighing 60 to 70 lbs and the 16-inch that weigh 120 to 140 lbs.
The oak wood is harvested fresh from Georgia. The logs are then kiln-dried, a process that enables them to burn cleanly and ignite easily.
According to the manufacturer, the logs are kiln-dried for up to 48 hours. This is way past the required 75-minute duration for kiln drying wood.
If you doubt this, the Premium Oak Firewood is backed by USDA-certification. This means it’s been tested and found safe for use.
Best Usage
If you’re looking for wood that will produce a generous amount of heat, oak is a great choice. Since it has a higher density than other types of hardwoods, it produces more heat and burns slowly.
This attribute offers two key benefits for campers. For one, it means you can prepare foods that take longer to cook. Secondly, you’ll be able to keep the fire burning all night long; hence keep yourself warm.
- Kiln Dried Premium Oak Firewood (includes firestarter)...Box size 12H x 12W x 12L (mini logs 8 inches) 25-30lbs
- Enjoy the ease of having your firewood delivered directly to your doorstep.
- USDA Certified Pest-Free and 100% Organic containing NO chemicals: This means Smoak Firewood is safe for shipping and suitable for storage both indoors and outdoors. When you choose USDA certified wood, you're ensuring that you're not inadvertently spreading bugs and diseases, providing peace of mind for your home and the environment.
Pros
- Convenient packaging for ease of transport
- Logs are available in different sizes: 8-inch and 16-inch
- Kiln-dried for 40 to 48 hours for easy ignition
Cons
- A small number of logs for the price
Oak Kiln-Dried Firewood
Are you planning your next camping trip? Don’t forget to include Oak Kiln-Dried Firewood in your list of essentials.
As implied in the title, the logs are purely oak. This is a plus, considering oak is of the most recommended wood types for campfires.
In total, you’ll get about 10 to 12 pieces of quality oak logs. Holding other factors constant, these should be enough to help you prepare a quick meal. Besides, the firewood is kiln-dried, so they ignite pretty easily.
Also important to note is that these are clean logs. This means they’ve undergone necessary treatments to mitigate their risks to insect damage and mold formation.
Best Usage
As explained earlier, oak is a good option if you’re looking for wood that will burn intensely and for longer. The higher amount of heat means you can turn any tough cuts of wild game tender.
- Kiln Dried Oak Firewood (includes fatwood starter sticks)
- 10 to 12 pieces of 16" firewood per bundle. Average weight bundle = 36-42 lbs.
- Clean wood every time; no insects or mold.
Pros
- Contains only oak logs that offer long burn-time
- Comes with fatwood starter kicks
- Clean wood that’s not prone to insects or mold
- Ready to use straight out of the box
Cons
- Only suitable for outdoor use
Smoak Firewood Cooking Wood Logs
Designed specifically for outdoor cooking, the Smoak Firewood Wood Logs are perfect for your camping trip.
Not only do these logs come in different sizes, but also different species. Choose from 8-inch (8 to 10 lbs.), 16-inch (25 to 30 lbs.), and 16-inch (60 to 70 lbs.).
When it comes to the type of wood, you have the best options to choose from: maple, red oak, white oak, hickory, and cherry. Since these are all hardwood, they light very easily. Plus, if you opt for oak, you can prepare food for as long as you want as it burns very slowly.
The USDA approves the cooking wood logs. This suggests that they’ve been tested and found safe and suitable for outdoor applications.
Best Usage
The type of wood you choose will depend on your individual needs. If you’re looking for wood that you can use for cooking and keeping yourself warm overnight, red oak and white oak are the best. Since they have high densities, they both burn more slowly than other kinds of wood.
However, if you prefer wood that will infuse a fruity, tangy flavor into your food, maple or cherry are better options.
Hickory is a great choice if you’re looking for wood with minimal smoke emissions. It’s also very easy to ignite as it doesn’t retain much moisture once it’s kiln-dried. While it doesn’t burn as long as oak, it does have a decent burn time.
- PECAN 16inch Lengths (widths average 3-4inches) box is 16x18x16 weighs 60-70lbs
- USDA certified kiln dried, completely organic NO chemicals used. Competition grade quality made in the USA. Our wood burns hotter, longer and cleaner than the rest!
- Wood can be used for firewood or cooking wood. Quality wood will produce a quality fire. Can be used in any grill, smoker, pizza oven, fire pit, fireplace (indoor or outdoor) or stove that uses wood and a 16inch length will fit. These are thicker pieces, there will be a variety in the box but on average around 3-4inches thick. If you need shorter or thinner sizes, please check out Smoak Firewood’s other listings.
Pros
- Logs come in different sizes and species
- USDA-certified
- Burn slowly, which helps to infuse flavor in food
Cons
- A bit expensive for the amount of wood
Conclusion
If you’re looking to buy the best wood for campfire cooking, there are a few things you should look for. For one, what kind of aroma would you like your food to have? Hardwoods like hickory and mesquite provide smokey flavors while cherry and maple provide fruity aromas.
Secondly, would you like wood that can also burn long enough to keep you warm overnight? Lastly, how easy is it to ignite using the wood you choose?
One type of firewood that checks all these boxes is Wilson Enterprises Split Firewood. This package includes split logs, which are much easier to work with than whole logs.
More importantly, you get hardwood, which ignites easily and burns slowly.