When it comes to making a fire, there are many kinds of wood we can choose from. This is especially true in modern times, when the trend of firepits and wood burners being especially popular.
While store bought wood tends to be cheaper and lower quality, many people might be tempted to use domestic wood varieties like walnut – a common material in home improvement and manufacturing.
But how suitable is it?
Is Walnut Good For Firewood?
One of the first things homeowners should know about walnut wood is that it is very suitable for use as firewood. This is because the wood is safe, does not give off harmful chemicals, and is not heavily processed.
What Is Walnut?
Walnut is a commonly used variety of wood that features heavily in home improvement, manufacturing, and heavy industry.
Taken from the ‘juglans’ species of trees – the same trees that produce walnuts as their seeds – walnut wood is characterized by its strength, firmness, density, and wide range of uses.
It is commonly used within furniture making, where it is appreciated for its sturdiness and widely manipulatable composition.
What Makes It Good For Firewood?
Of course, there are also many reasons why walnut is useful as a source of firewood, and why many people might choose to use it for fire making if they have a surplus.
Availability
Firstly, walnut is widely accessible and available – due to the fact that it is so widely used within manufacturing and home improvement.
This means that, if people are getting rid of old furniture, or are looking to replace broken items and components during renovations, that they can then safely dispose of the wood in a useful way.
Pleasant Aroma
Another benefit of burning walnut wood as firewood, is that the wood actually gives off a more pleasant aroma than other forms of cheap firewood.
This means that, whether you are sitting outside with the wood burner, or adding it to the fireplace in your living room, you can experience the pleasant smells of the walnut while you are keeping toasty and warm.
Fast Burning
Another fact that makes it suitable as firewood is that it burns relatively quickly. This means that it is good for getting a fire going, and for maintaining the fire once established.
This can be good for those who need to heat their homes quickly, or for those looking to start a campfire or log burner while camping.
Minimal Smoke
Another good attribute of using walnut as firewood is the smoke production, which is pretty minimal when compared to other woods.
This means that you can use it within your home, or in the firepit, without having to worry too much about smoke smells, harmful fumes, and other concerning factors.
Medium Density
Another benefit of using walnut wood for firewood is that it is medium density, which means that once the fire is going, the wood will burn steadily for a good amount of time.
This differs from low density wood, which burns to ash quickly, and high density wood, which can remain burning for a longer time than needed. As such, it is perfect for those looking for short lasting camp fires.
When Not To Use Walnut
Of course, there are some occasions when you shouldn’t use walnut wood for firewood in your home or outdoors.
Wet Walnut
You should try to avoid using walnut – or any form of wood – when wet. This will make the lighting process near impossible, and will also mean that it produces more smoke once lit.
Lacquered Walnut
One problem about burning old furniture is that, if the wood has been coated with lacquer and varnish, then this could release harmful and poisonous fumes when lit.
This is obviously something that no one wants to be breathing in, especially indoors, where there is poor ventilation. As such, you should try to only use walnut wood that is unlacquered.
While lacquered and varnished walnut is okay to use on bonfires, it should be done when observers are not in close proximity with the fire.
Painted Walnut
Likewise, you also should not use walnut wood that has been painted, as this could cause toxic fumes to be released – many of which can cause significant health problems in enclosed spaces.
On Gas Fires
If you have a gas fire in your home – or a gas powered fire pit – then you should not use any form of wood as an added accelerant. This is because it could cause problems with your fire, could cause the fire to become unmanageable, and could prove dangerous when inside the home.
Final Thoughts
And there we have it, everything you need to know about walnut wood, and whether it is considered good firewood.
It is true that, when creating a fire, there are numerous factors to consider – and many different forms of wood you can choose from. However, as this article highlights, there are some varieties of wood that are more suitable than others.
So if you are looking to burn wood at home, then why not use walnut? Something tells me you won’t be disappointed!
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that we know a little more about walnut wood, and whether or not it is a good source of firewood, it is now time for us to answer some frequently asked questions that you might be interested in.
Is Walnut Common For Firewood?
While not a commonly found source of wood in store bought firewood sacks, it is a common domestic wood used in home improvement and manufacturing. As such, it is not uncommon for people to have spare walnut wood laying around.
Is Walnut Wood Expensive?
Unfortunately, walnut can be an expensive material, due to the fact that it is often used in finer furniture that is not mass produced.
As the founder of firepit.co.uk, I am proud to run the largest online fire pit retailer in the UK. I am a leading expert with extensive knowledge of indoor fireplaces and outdoor heating solutions.
I love contributing to Fireplace Ideas, where I can share my love of fireplaces and pass on the experience I have gained in running my business.
In addition to running firepit.co.uk, I am a prolific writer currently working on a book about fireplaces.
Whether you're a homeowner, a designer, or simply someone who loves the warmth and comfort of a fireplace, I have the knowledge and expertise to help you create the perfect space for your needs.
I also love a great fire. Over the years, I have enjoyed using different types of wood burners and gas fireplaces. Now in a more modern home, I use an electric fireplace.
