So you have been wondering, what is the best fireplace wood in South Africa?
The best fireplace wood depends on many factors such as heat output, burn time, and availability. We would recommend dense woods like Mopane wood and Blue Gum wood are popular choices for their high heat output and longer burn time.
Cape Town is known for its cold winter nights and its love of warm fires in the fireplace. Choosing the right type of wood for your fireplace can make a huge difference in terms of heat generation, burn time, and overall experience. In this article, we'll take a closer look at six of the most popular fireplace woods in South Africa - Blue Gum wood, Red Gum, Black Wattle firewood, Grape Seed Eco Fire logs, Sawdust Heat Logs, and Mopane wood. We'll compare them based on popularity, density, burn time, demand, flames, and heat generation to help you choose the right wood for your next indoor fire.
Popularity: Blue Gum is the most popular type of fireplace wood across the Cape and broader South Africa. Known for its long burn time and high heat generation, Blue Gum is a favourite among many Capetonians. Red Gum is also a popular choice, known for its ability to produce large, hot flames when burning.
Density: Mopane Hardwood is one of the densest types of fireplace wood, making it a great choice for those who want to produce a lot of heat gradually. Blue Gum and Red Gum are also dense wood types, while Black Wattle is lighter in weight, generally softer and crackles when its set alight. Grape Seed Eco Fire Logs and Sawdust Heat Logs are the least dense of all the fireplace woods, making them a good choice for those who are seeking a more eco-friendly solution.
Burn Time: Mopane Hardwood is known for its long burn time, making it a great choice for those who want to enjoy their fires for a longer period of time. Blue Gum and Red gum are also known for their longer burn times, while Black Wattle burns fairly faster. Grape Seed Eco Fire Logs and Sawdust Heat Logs have shorter burn times but are more sustainable and environment friendly.
Demand: The demand for fireplace wood depends on a variety of factors, including the type of wood, the time of year, and the location in which you reside. Blue Gum and Red Gum are in high demand during most cold months, while the demand for Black Wattle, Grape Seed Eco Fire Logs, Sawdust Heat Logs, and Mopane Hardwood can often vary depending on the region and other demographics.
Flames: The type of fireplace wood you choose can also affect the size and colour of the flames. Red Gum and Black Wattle are known for producing larger flames, while Blue Gum wood and Mopane produce smaller, high heat flames. Grape Seed Eco Fire Logs and Sawdust Heat Logs produce smaller, more controlled flames, making them a great choice for those who want to avoid huge fires.
Heat Generation: Mopane Hardwood is a dense wood that produces a lot of heat, making it a great choice for those who want to keep their home warm for a longer period of time while using less wood. Blue Gum and Red Gum are also dense woods and are good for generating heat, while Black Wattle produces slightly less heat. Grape Seed Eco Fire Logs and Sawdust Heat Logs are not as dense as the other types of fireplace woods and therefore produce less heat in most cases but still perform well overall.
TIP: For pleasant experiences, always start your Fire with decent Fire Lighters and Fire Starters (Kindling), once these are lit and burning properly you can add on smaller sizes of Split wood pieces at first, once the split woods have taken you can add bigger or rounder pieces as time passes. Round logs generally hold more moisture so aren't always the best to start fires with. Another good suggestion is to mix Namibian and local woods during wet Winter months in case of any higher than usual moisture levels in any of the local wood types. Burning them together will bring you much joy and minimize any challenges.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, each type of fireplace wood has its own unique benefits and characteristics. The right type of wood for you will depend on your personal preference and the type of fire you are looking to create, also taking into consideration, which Fireplace unit you plan to make use of. So whether you prefer a long burn time, a large, hot flame, or an eco-friendly product, there is a fireplace wood from Cape Town Firewood that is ideal for your needs!
