After switching from a gas to a wood stove following our recent move, I've come to appreciate its cozy charm. While gas stoves offer convenience, nothing beats the warmth and ambiance of a wood fire during regular use. Now settled in our new home, I'll share our actual firewood consumption per evening or firing session, based on hands-on experience.
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Weeknights are busy—after dinner, workouts, dog walks, and tending to our pigs and goats, it's often past 8:30 PM. We rarely light the stove then. But weekends, especially Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, are prime time. Sundays stand out: on rainy days, I love curling up in the living room with the fire crackling, a book in hand, and a glass of wine. It's the ultimate relaxation after morning chores.
My partner Frank typically starts the fire and adds logs as needed. I've observed closely to gauge usage, which varies by wood type.
We've sourced wood from various places: aged pieces from the animal pasture under plastic, trees removed during last year's pond renovation (not ideal, as they've rotted somewhat), and fruit tree wood now drying in our new Corten steel shed—it needs more time but promises excellent burning. We also have well-dried scraps from past DIY projects stored in our shed, including a mix of hardwoods and softwoods.
For short evening sessions, we choose softwoods like birch or alder. They ignite quickly and burn hot and fast, delivering instant coziness but requiring more frequent refills. The upside? They burn out cleanly before bedtime.
For longer burns, like Sunday afternoons into evening, we opt for hardwoods. They sustain heat longer once the stove is preheated. Examples include oak, beech, and ash. A softwood log lasts 1-1.5 hours, while hardwood endures 1.5-2 hours, depending on size.
Beyond burn time, wood type affects heat intensity and ambiance. Hardwoods provide steady, powerful warmth—great for large spaces. But in a bedroom fireplace, opt for softer flames to avoid overheating before sleep.
The same goes for a kitchen wood stove, like the suspended one I envision post-renovation for dinner parties. Softwoods keep it gentle and inviting without overwhelming heat.
Ultimately, nightly firewood use hinges on burn duration, wood type, and setting. What's your go-to: wood stove, pellets, or gas? Share in the comments.
