Hemlock is a popular type of wood, but the question arises Is Hemlock Good Firewood?
It might be challenging and complicated to select the best firewood. Firewood is not all made equal! Compared to other types of wood, some burn hotter and cleaner. The goal of today’s Cottage Living is to make selecting the best firewood simple.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at everything you need to know about whether or not hemlock makes good firewood.
Read More: Is Apple Good Firewood? Everything You Need to Know!
Contents
What is Hemlock?
Hemlock is a softwood that grows in North America. It is related to fir and cedar, and like them, it is a popular choice for construction, furniture-making, and interior trim. However, hemlock is also a good choice for another use: firewood.
Hemlock has a high heat content and produces long-lasting fires. It also burns hot and clean, which means that it produces little smoke and leaves behind little ash.
Hemlock Origin
Hemlock is a softwood that is indigenous to North America. It is most commonly found on the East Coast of the United States, in states such as Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
It can also be found in some Canadian provinces, such as Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.
Species of Hemlock Wood
There are three hemlock species that, to varying degrees, make good firewood. East hemlock, western hemlock, and mountain hemlock, in that order.
All of them are low-density woods, which means they burn quickly. But They all emit various BTUS when they burn.
Is Hemlock Good Firewood?
Hemlock is considered to be a good wood for firewood because it burns hot and lasts long. It is also a relatively inexpensive wood to purchase. Hemlock is a softwood, which means it burns quickly and doesn’t produce as much heat as hardwoods like oak or maple.
However, hemlock is still a decent choice for firewood if you’re looking for something that’s affordable and easy to find.
When purchasing hemlock firewood, it is important to make sure that the wood has been properly seasoned so that it will burn well.
Here are some things to keep in mind if you’re considering using hemlock for your next fire:
- Hemlock is a softwood, so it burns quickly and doesn’t produce as much heat as hardwoods.
- Hemlock is easy to find and relatively affordable, making it a good choice for budget-minded people.
- Hemlock doesn’t produce much smoke, so it’s a good option if you’re trying to avoid irritating your respiratory system.
Benefits of Using Hemlock Wood
Hemlock is an excellent type of wood to use for a number of reasons. Here are just a few benefits of using hemlock:
- Hemlock is very dense, meaning that it burns slowly and evenly. This makes it ideal for use in a wood stove or fireplace.
- Hemlock has a high BTU rating, meaning that it produces more heat than other types of wood. This makes it ideal for use in cold weather.
- Hemlock is relatively easy to split and stack, making it convenient to use.
- Hemlock is low in sap, meaning that it produces less smoke and spark than other types of wood. This makes it ideal for use indoors.
Some Drawbacks of Using Hemlock
Although it produces good heat, there are some disadvantages to using hemlock as firewood:
- One is that it tends to be relatively soft and easy to split, which means that it doesn’t always last as long as some other types of wood.
- In addition, because it’s not as dense as some other woods, it doesn’t produce quite as much heat per pound of wood.
- As well as, Hemlock is not recommended for use in smoker grills because the smoke it produces can be toxic. The smoke from hemlock can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in people who are exposed to it.
Overall, hemlock is a good choice for firewood if you are looking for something that burns hot and slow without producing too much smoke. Keep in mind that you will need more of it than other types of wood, and it may be more expensive than some options
Tips for Storing Hemlock Firewood
Hemlock is an excellent type of firewood because it is very dense. This means that it will burn for a long time and produce a lot of heat. Hemlock is also relatively easy to split, so you won’t have to spend a lot of time getting it ready to burn.
Hemlock firewood should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated place. If you live in an area with high humidity, it’s especially important to make sure that your firewood is stored in a way that allows air to circulate around it. Stacking the wood off the ground on a pallet or in a firewood rack is a good way to ensure good circulation.
If you have the space, it’s best to store your firewood outside. If you must store it inside, make sure that the room is well-ventilated and that the wood is not stacked against an exterior wall where it will be subject to temperature changes.
Smell of Hemlock
Hemlock has a lovely aroma when it is fresh, and this aroma is also present when it is burning. It lacks the pleasant qualities of cedar and the spicy overtones of tulip poplar firewood. However, it has a pleasant scent that will help your home feel snug.
Heat Output and Efficiency of Hemlock
Your ability to build a fire relies on the kind of hemlock firewood you utilize. Mountain hemlock produces a BTU of 20.1, the same as premium conifer fuel like douglas fir and eastern red cedar, as well as hardwoods like silver maple, making it the top-performing firewood of its species.
However, with BTUs of 17.1 and 17.7, eastern and western hemlock does not burn as hot. Even so, this is still a greater BTU than the majority of fir species can produce.
Conclusion
Hemlock is an excellent firewood choice for a number of reasons. It’s easy to split, it burns hot and long, and it produces very little smoke. If you can find it, hemlock is definitely worth considering as your next firewood.