06/19/2025
🪵 Best Types of Firewood for Saunas
1. Birch
🔥 Burn Quality: High heat, clean burn
🌿 Aroma: Light, sweet, and slightly herbal
⭐ Best For: Smooth, relaxing heat with minimal smoke
➕ Easy to light, very little residue
Fun Fact: In Nordic countries, birch is the gold standard for sauna wood.
2. Alder
🔥 Burn Quality: Medium heat, fast-burning🌿 Aroma: Mildly sweet, earthy scent
⭐ Best For: Quick heat-up, soft scent profile
➖ Burns faster, so not ideal for long sessions
3. Maple (Hard Maple)
🔥 Burn Quality: Very hot, long-lasting
🌿 Aroma: Mild and neutral
⭐ Best For: Long sauna sessions with steady heat
➕ Great coals, minimal creosote
4. Apple or Cherry Wood (Fruitwoods)
🔥 Burn Quality: Medium to hot
🌿 Aroma: Sweet, smoky, rich
⭐ Best For: Aromatherapy and luxury sauna experiences
➕ Pairs beautifully with essential oils or infusions
5. Oak
🔥 Burn Quality: Extremely hot, slow burn
🌿 Aroma: Subtle smoky scent
⭐ Best For: Strong heat in large saunas
➖ May produce more soot if not fully seasoned
⚠️ Woods to Avoid
Not all wood is sauna-safe! Avoid:
❌ Pine, Spruce, Fir: High resin content, can pop, spark, and create smoke/creosote.
❌Treated or Painted Wood: Releases toxic fumes — never use it
❌Wet or Green Wood: Produces smoke, clogs chimney, and damages heater.
❌ Any wood with nails, screws, or hardware