Which firewood is right for a fire pit? From kindling to the first flame

A fire pit brings something to an evening that nothing else replaces: warmth, light and a reason to sit together. For the evening to truly work, you need two simple things — the right firewood and proper kindling. We'll look at both and share our own experience. But first, the reason a fire pit is also one of the most memorable gifts.

A fire pit as a personal gift

A good fire pit isn't just for you. It becomes a personal gift that brings people together and gives them a reason to sit longer. On Lehesära's six patterned sides you can have a loved one's name, an important date or a company logo cut to order. So it isn't simply an object, but something meant for one particular person. If the idea of a gift appeals to you, read how to turn a fire pit into a memorable gift.

Which firewood suits a fire pit?

But back to the fire. Only dry, natural, untreated wood belongs in a fire pit. Well-seasoned hardwood burns best: birch, alder or ash. Wet wood smokes and gives little heat, while impregnated or painted wood has no place in a fire at all. We've written separately about what you may and may not burn: how to build a fire safely.

In terms of length, ordinary 30 cm fireplace logs suit a fire pit best. They're easy to stack and the fire stays better under control. We've also used 50 cm logs ourselves — they work too, though stacking is a little easier with 30 cm fireplace logs.

Kindling — how to get the fire going quickly

Good kindling is half the battle. Start with fine material: dry birch bark, thin splints and slender twigs catch easily and give a flame that gets the thicker wood burning. Lay the kindling first, then the finer pieces on top and only then the fireplace logs. Some light it from below, some build a pyramid and light it from the top — try it and see which works better for you.

Lighter fluids like petrol are neither needed nor allowed — they're dangerous and make the flame uncontrollable. Dry birch bark does the same job far more safely. If the base is well laid, a single match is enough to get the fire going.

A fire pit that holds firewood well

Lehesära is built with exactly this kind of burning in mind. A double base and a 15 mm air gap keep the heat off the ground, so the lawn and the terrace stay intact even after a long evening. Three-millimetre steel and heat-resistant paint rated up to 850 °C withstand the flame's direct heat year after year, the inner pit keeps the embers together, and 30 cm fireplace logs fit comfortably inside.

Take a closer look at what kind of fire pit this is and how the flame brings the leaf pattern to life in the evening. And if you're still weighing up which fire pit to choose for your garden, our guide on what to look for when choosing a fire pit will help.