The best firewood choices for a hot, clean winter burn in WA
The secret to getting maximum heat and a crystal-clean viewing glass from your wood heater lies entirely in the quality of the firewood you use. In Western Australia, our absolute gold standard is seasoned local hardwood, with Jarrah and Marri (Red Gum) being the undisputed heavyweights. Hardwoods are incredibly dense, meaning they ignite beautifully, burn far slower, produce less smoke, and create long-lasting, glowing coal beds that throw out immense radiant heat long into a freezing winter night.
The most critical rule to remember is that your wood must be thoroughly seasoned—meaning it has been split and left to dry out for at least 12 to 24 months until its internal moisture content drops below 20%. Burning green, wet, or unseasoned wood is a massive waste of money; the fire has to use all its energy just to boil off the internal water, creating a weak, smoky burn that quickly cakes your heater’s glass and chokes your flue with dangerous creosote. Always keep your wood pile covered, and strictly avoid burning painted timber, pallets, or treated pine, as their chemical resins will instantly destroy your firebox baffles and void your warranty.