Oro (oak) firewood is also called oak
Because oak is a hardwood with greater weight and density, if properly treated and kept dry, it generates more heat when burned than softwoods. Burning a piece of oak will generate much more heat than a piece of treated spruce, for example. More importantly, if you're heating a home with wood, an oak-lined firebox will generate more heat than softwoods—and produce longer fires with longer-lasting coals and radiant heat. If you are going to chop or split your firewood, oak logs split into sections easier than other hardwoods.
Oak firewood: how good is it compared to other wood?
There are a lot of trees out there, and to be honest, almost all of them can be used as firewood. But, some types of firewood burn hot, clean and long, while other types of wood produce less heat, more smoke, and sometimes dangerous sparks.
So, what about OK? Does oak make good firewood?
Oak firewood is definitely one of the best types of firewood you can burn. High heat yield of 26.4 million BTUs per seasoned wood wire (for white oak). In addition, oak produces minimal smoke, doesn't spark much, creates excellent charcoal, and is easy to split when dry.
But how does oak compare to other types of firewood? What are the details of the burning properties of oak? And how can you be certain, that what you have is in fact an acorn? Let's answer these questions!
Oak properties
There are some characteristics that distinguish oak from other woods, so let's continue to touch on each of them.
1. The amount of smoke
Oak produces very little smoke, especially when compared to pine or hard maple, which are both known to be great smoke producers.
Low smoke production is a common characteristic among our top grade firewoods , such as Hickory, Ash, etc. However, Mulberry, which is otherwise a high level firewood, produces a moderate amount of smoke.
It should also be noted that almost any wood will be very smoky if you burn it wet. In addition to the dangers of creosote build-up (see #6 below), higher smoke production is one reason you should always make sure your wood is properly dried before you burn it.
2. Does it spark?
Firewood sparks may at first seem like a minor factor, but they can actually be a major safety issue. Here are two quick examples:
Catalpa wood pops really big, and it's so strong, it can literally blow windshields off a wood stove. Crazy stuff.
Berries have been known to throw a lot of sparks, and they're fine in a closed wood stove , but if you have an outdoor fireplace, those sparks might jump right off the stove and catch fire.
The great news is, with Oak, neither is a problem. Oak has very low spark levels and shouldn't cause any problems in a wood stove. You should always keep an eye on outdoor fireplaces, but burning oak should also be safe
3. Smell or perfume
When burning oak firewood, it gives off a mild "warm summer nights" type of smell. Oak produces a lighter version of the earthy smoky aroma you might get from hickory firewood.
Oak is also a great choice for firewood for cooking and smoking meats. If you are interested in different fragrance profiles for firewood.
4. Does it produce charcoal?
Another factor commonly used to classify firewood is "charcoal". When any type of firewood burns, it produces charcoal, and the quality of the charcoal produced has a huge impact on how long (and how long) a fire lasts.
For example, wood that has great charcoal properties will work well as a nighttime fuel in woodstoves , because the quality of the charcoal will help the fire stay hot all night. This long lasting charcoal will allow you to easily re-light your fire in the morning simply by adding more wood to the existing embers.
Oak has excellent charcoal properties, and large oak logs work well as "overnight" fuel for woodstoves. Being a heavy hardwood, oak is simply more dense, and charcoal will outlast lighter woods such as pine, birch, or aspen
Oak firewood uses for grilling and smoking
Oakwood is one of the most versatile of all smoking woods. You can use it regardless of your smoker setup because you can find it in chunks, separate log, pellets, and slices. It is popular and relatively affordable, which makes it easier to source than some specialty woods such as peach.
When determining the shape of your wood purchase, you need to consider the design of your smoker. Some smokers only accept certain fuels. For example, split logs work best for heavy smokers
Another factor that determines the type of wood you should buy is the piece you're smoking. Larger cuts like brisket need longer to cook, so you should buy slower-burning chops or logs. Potato chips and grits tend to give off smoke quickly, making them a better choice for smaller cuts of meat.
Finally, you can also buy oak planks. Many people use oak planks to smoke more delicate foods, like salmon and cheese, in the oven or via a domed grill.
The best types of meat to smoke using Euro Oak wood
Oak 's versatility means it's a good choice for almost any cut of meat, but some species go well with it better than others.
Oakwood is one of the best options for smoking lamb. The lamb has a herbal, tangy-like flavour, and the oak smoke helps enhance that flavor without making it too bitter.
Oak is a great choice for smoking large cuts of beef such as brisket because it can burn continuously for several hours.
However, this does not mean that acorns only work with delicious cuts of meat. Compared to other hardwoods like walnut, its relative softness makes it a good choice for delicate meats, including sausage and poultry.
No matter the reason for breaking up your smoker, oak wood is a great fuel source to have on hand thanks to its versatility, durability, and great flavor.
Saudi Lara Company provides Euro firewood in different weights. You can browse our products page to view them.