Is Ash Good Firewood? Heat Output, Burning Quality and Benefits Explained

Yes, ash is very good firewood. It is a thick hardwood, which cuts easily, dries quicker than most hardwoods, burns in a steady flame and leaves a bed of long lasting coals. Its heat production is just below the highest level of oak and hickory and most burners consider it to be the easiest firewood to use.

The brief answer is that. The specifics are important, however, when you are choosing between species or when you are looking at a stack of dead ash trees in your yard. This is what to anticipate.

Key takeaways

• Ash is a hardwood that has a high heat output, approximately 20-24 million BTU per cord, depending on the species.
• Dries in 6-12 months, quicker than oak.
• It cuts straight, burns easily and burns with minimal smoke when dry.
• Ash can be used in wood stoves, fireplaces and fire pits.
• The emerald ash borer causes ash to be abundant in most areas, but do not transport it beyond the state or county without looking at the local regulations.

What Is Ash Firewood?

Ash firewood is of trees of the genus Fraxinus. White ash, green ash and black ash are the most common species used to burn in North America. Ash is a hardwood, meaning that it is a broadleaf tree and tends to be denser than softwoods such as pine or spruce.

The best of the group to burn is white ash. Green ash is a little lighter and generates a little less heat. Black ash is even lighter and less popular as firewood.

How Much Heat Does Ash Produce? (Ash Firewood BTU)

The white ash yields approximately 24 million BTU per cord and this places it in the high category of normal firewood. Green ash is also less, approximately 20 million BTU per cord. Precise numbers differ across sources since the density of wood varies with the growing conditions and moisture, therefore, any number should be taken as an estimate.

The heat energy is measured in British thermal unit (BTU). The higher the BTUs on a cord, the higher the amount of heat you receive on the same stack. If you are unsure how much wood that is, this breakdown of what a full cord looks like in real life will help you picture it.

Approximate heat output of common firewood species

Ranges reflect differences between university extension tables. It is always advisable to use mature and dry logs to compare woods.

In the case of the majority of houses, the difference between white ash and oak is not so much that you will be able to notice it in day-to-day activities. The actual distinction is in the speed of each wood to be burnt.

How Does Ash Burn? (Burning Quality)

Ash smolders and is predictable. When it dries, it burns rapidly, burns brightly and steadily and does not require continual attention. This is its performance in the most important areas.

Flame and ignition. Ash is easy to light compared to dense woods such as oak and hickory. That makes it a good option to start fires and to maintain a fire without a lot of babysitting.

Smoke. Dry ash does not burn much smoke. Smoke issues are nearly always due to damp wood, rather than species.

Sparks and popping. Ash is less poppy and sparky than many other woods, so it is a friendly fire to open fireplaces and fire pits. Every piece of wood spits every now and then and a fireplace screen is not dumb.

Coals. Ash makes solid, long lasting coals. This assists in burning overnight and is easier to reload in the morning.

Smell. The smoke is neutral in smell. It is neither as sweet as cherry or apple, nor is it harsh.

Ash residue. It burns out a moderate quantity of ash in the firebox, and you will have to clean it out as frequently as with other hardwoods.

Ash Firewood Benefits

Ash is known to be easy to deal with and the reputation is deserved.

• Splits easily. The straight grain will allow a maul or splitter to cut open a log in a single blow, even when the timber is fresh.
• Seasons quickly. Ash is less moist than most hardwoods, and thus dries quicker.
• Burns hot. It is in the upper range for heat output.
• Low mess. Minimal smoke, minimal sparking and thin bark that does not lose much debris.
• Widely available. Due to the emerald ash borer, dead ash is widespread in most areas and usually free or inexpensive.

Any Disadvantages of Burning Ash?

Ash is not perfect. It is here that it falters.

• Slightly less heat than oak and hickory. Dense woods are better in case you want to burn as long as possible.
• Not the most effective in slow smoldering overnight burning. Ash mixed with a denser wood such as oak will provide you with quick starts and long burns.
• Dead standing ash may be hazardous to fell. The emerald ash borer can kill trees which may become brittle and fall down randomly. Get a professional in case you are in doubt.
• Its transfer may be unlawful. There are numerous regions that do not allow the transportation of firewood to reduce the spread of the insect.

What is the Time to Season Ash?

The time it takes Ash to season is generally 6 to 12 months, again, depending on your climate, size of splits and stacking. Oak can require 1 to 2 years, and thus ash would be a good choice in case you require firewood more urgently.

Experienced firewood must be less than 20 percent moisture. Wet wood burns up heat boiling out water and produces more smoke and creosote in your chimney.

How to season ash in five steps

1. Splitting: Split the logs immediately after cutting. Breaking up exposes a greater amount of surface to air.
2. Place them off the ground on pallets or rails.
3. Spacing between rows to allow air to pass.
4. Coat the top of the stack, but not the sides.
5. Verify moisture meter on a freshly split face prior to burning.

Signs your ash is ready

• Ends cracked and gray.
• Logs are light to their weight.
• Two pieces knocked together make a hollow sound
• Meter of less than 20 percent.

Can You Burn Ash Green?

You can, and ash has been mentioned as one of the few woods which will burn acceptably when fresh-cut. But good is not best. Green ash continues to hold a lot of water, thus it produces less heat, more smoke and creosote more quickly. Burn it in small portions with dry wood, should you need to. To use regularly, allow it to dry.

Ash vs Other Firewood

Ash vs Oak

Oak burns a little more and burns longer in the firebox, but it seasons much more slowly and is more difficult to split. Ash is simpler to make and burns quicker. Ash is usually the sensible choice when you require wood this winter.

To see how oak performs in detail, read this guide to burning oak, from BTU to seasoning time. If you prefer a milder option, red oak is a popular choice for stoves.

Ash vs Maple

White ash and sugar maple are very similar in the amount of heat output. Ash is generally quicker to season and is easier to split. Maple is a little sweeter to smoke and can be a little heavier. Soft maple trails behind the two.

If maple is on your shortlist, this overview of how maple heats, seasons and burns covers the differences, and the page on long, steady heat from sugar maple goes deeper on the best type.

Ash vs Hickory

Hickory is used to beat ash to generate raw heat and burn time, but it is heavier, more difficult to split and tends to be more expensive. The more commonplace wood is ash. You can learn more about what makes hickory such a valuable firewood before you decide if the extra effort is worth it.

Ash vs Birch

White ash burns more and burns longer than birch. Birch burns very readily, and therefore is a good kindling companion. If you are unsure how it is classified, here is a clear answer on whether birch counts as a hardwood.

Ash vs Pine

Ash gives more heat per cord, burns longer and produces less creosote. Pine makes a good kindling and shoulder season fuel, but not a primary fuel.

Is Ash Good Firewood: Quick decision guide

Is Ash Good for a Wood Stove, Fireplace or Fire Pit?

Wood stove: Excellent. Ash burns well, consistent fires and quality coals. Use the instructions of your stove maker and maintain the dampness.

Fireplace: Very good. It burns clean and with less sparks than most species, but you ought to have a screen.

Fire pit: Great. It is pleasant to sit around, low in smoke when dry and easy to light.

Outdoor cooking: Ash is not generally suggested to smoke meat. The more popular flavor woods include hickory, apple and oak.

The Emerald Ash Borer and Your Firewood

The emerald ash borer is an exotic beetle that has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees in North America. This is the primary cause why ash firewood is so readily available in most areas these days.

There are three things to know.

• Dead wood is good firewood. The insect does not render the wood unsafe to burn.
• Do not go too far. The beetle is transmitted by transported firewood. Burn local, buy local and see regulations with your state or provincial agriculture department.
• Be careful felling dead trees. Ash that is killed by the borer may be brittle and unpredictable.

Common Mistakes When Burning Ash

• Smoking it when not dry and accusing the wood of smoke.
• Piling it tightly in front of a wall with no air flow.
• Sealing the entire stack with a tarp in order to prevent the escape of moisture.
• Transporting it between areas without scrutiny.
• Not taking a moisture meter and making an educated guess.

Expert Tips for Best Results

• Purchase or cut ash in spring, and it will be available next winter.
• Add ash to oak or hickory to get quick fires and extended burning.
• Divided into various sizes to have small ones to light and big ones to leave overnight.
• Have a moisture meter in your woodshed. It is cheap and spares much bother.
• Keep a couple of weeks of wood in the house by the stove to warm and dry before burning.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Ash makes its reputation. It will not last as long as the thickest oak or hickory, but it compensates that with rapid seasoning, easy splitting, smooth burning and dependable warmth. It is one of the most convenient firewoods that can be burned by most households.

What you need to do is easy. Get a moisture meter, divide your ash small, pile it with good airflow and allow it time it requires. When you have ash and oak, burn them together and you will have the best of both.