Is Apple Good Firewood?

Though it may seem obvious, the apple tree Malus Domestica is vastly cultivated for its fruit: apples. Though apple wood has a lot more uses outside of its fruit-wielding qualities. For example, it is a popular crafting and cooking wood and is mostly sold as such. But how does applewood do when used as firewood?

Apple is one of the best burning, high-quality firewood you can get. Its low sap content means that it released no smoke and lasts a significant amount of time while producing a very hot flame. Though it is better suited to a log burner as it can burn too hot. 

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What Are The Varieties Of Apple Firewood?

There are over many kinds of apple species but when it comes to actual apple trees, there are not many varieties. The few varieties of apples that do exist perform similarly when used as firewood.

What Are The Physical Characteristics Of Apple

NameApple
Heat per cord (Million BTUs)28.6
Weight dry (lbs per cord)4155
Weight green (lbs per cord)4675
Seasoning time1 – 2 years
Resin / Sap contentLow
Splitting DifficultyEasy
SmokeMinimal
SmellSweet and Smokey
Coal ProductionHigh quality
Creosote Build-upMinimal

Does its Wood Split Easily?

Unlike most woods, it is better to split apple wood while it is still green. As fresh wood, apple wood is tightly grained, allowing your ax to glide through its wood easily.

However, once apple wood has seasoned, it becomes very hard. It is a dense wood anyway but becomes even denser when left to season. For this reason, similarly to firewoods like locust, it is best to split apple firewood while it is still greenwood.

How Much Sap Does It Have?

All of the sap that an apple tree produces is generated for its apple production. This means that there is little sap left in the wood itself.

Most apples are ready to harvest between August and September. So, it is best to harvest apple trees straight after this period when the tree is yet to create more sap.

How Does The Wood Smell?  

With a high sugar content, apple trees create a sweet but smoky fragrance when burnt. Some people say that the smell is overwhelmingly sweet, but others love the smell.

Of course, some say apple firewood has a distinctly fruity smell to it but even that can be overwhelming.

Heat Output And Efficiency Of Apple

Apple firewood has one of the highest heat outputs of any firewood, generating an impressive 28.6 BTUs.

This is often too hot to be of use in an indoor fire unless you can control the heat output of the fire. Still, with such a high heat generation, apple firewood is one of the top contenders of the most efficient heat sources available.

Fire Characteristics Of Apple

Though apple wood burns extremely hot, its density means that it released this heat slowly. It is not quick to ignite for this reason but once you get an apple wood fire going, you will get a long-lasting high heat.

The wood produces very high-quality coals that can keep a fire hot long after the wood itself has burnt out.

The flame itself burns bright and clean, creating a beautiful fire. It emits little smoke and therefore will create very little creosote build-up.

Is It Okay To Burn Apple In A Fireplace?

If you burn apple wood in a fireplace, make sure you have some lower quality wood or some kindling to hand as applewood is too dense to ignite on its own.

Once you get an applewood fire well on the way, it can be a great wood to burn in a fireplace as long as you can control its flame. Such a high heat output means that the fire can quickly become too hot which can be dangerous.

For the best results, burn apple firewood in a log burner, mixed with other wood rather than in an open fireplace. Using a fireplace with controllable airflow valves makes it easier to manage the fire from getting out of hand.

How Expensive Is Apple Firewood?

Apple wood is very valuable in other wood trades aside from firewood. That is why you are likely to find it priced considerably higher than other firewoods.

If you live near an apple orchard, then they may be able to sell apple wood for cheaper as they will have it in abundance, besides that, the best way to get your hands on an apple to use as firewood, is to go chop a few oldies from your own backyard,

How Long To Season Apple

12 months is the general seasoning time that apple wood requires to reach a burnable level, but not necessarily at its most effective level.

To get full use out of your apple firewood, leave it to the season for up to 2 years before burning it. Keep applewood covered properly as it seasons to ward off mice and bugs as best as you can.

Pros And Cons of Apple

Pros:

  • Highly efficient heat output
  • Slow-burning
  • High-quality coals
  • Minimal smoke
  • Less creosote build-up

Cons:

  • Some processing difficulties
  • Hard to ignite
  • Can burn too hot
  • Attracts mice

How Does Apple Compare To Other Firewood?

Apple firewood has a BTU higher than cherry, which is also a highly valued fruit-bearing firewood. It also burns hotter than oak, and at a similar level to hickory and some birch varieties.

Its sap content is extremely low, even when compared to other hardwoods like hard maple. For this reason, it is a safer wood to burn indoors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I Use Apple For Smoking? 

Apple wood is highly favored amongst the smoking community. It produces a sweet, pleasant smell which is then absorbed by your meat – perfect for BBQ use.

How To Prepare Apple For Smoking? 

Due to being so dense, you will have to soak your applewood. This will encourage the wood to generate more smoke and be a better smoking tool.

Conclusion

As one of the most efficient woods out there, applewood is the perfect choice to warm your home through the winter, but because of this rare nature, I would keep it aside for outdoor BBQues or meat smoking.

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