10 Woods That Burn Clean and Smell Great Indoors

Some firewood fills your home with warmth and a good, clean smell. Others? Not so much. If you’ve ever lit a fire and immediately regretted it because your whole living room smelled like scorched swamp, you know the difference.

When you’re heating with wood or lighting a fireplace to relax, the last thing you want is smoke that stinks up the place. These are the firewood types that burn clean and actually smell nice indoors.

Apple

Applewood burns slowly and evenly, with a mild sweet smell that’s hard to beat. It’s popular for smoking meat, but it works just as well in a fireplace.

It produces very little smoke and a steady heat, making it a great choice for indoor burning. It can be hard to find in large quantities, but if you’ve got access to pruned or fallen limbs, it’s worth stacking.

Oak

White and red oak are both excellent firewoods. They burn hot, clean, and long, and they give off a nice, earthy scent without being too strong.

Oak takes a while to season properly—ideally a year or more—but once it’s dry, it burns with minimal smoke and plenty of heat. It’s one of the best all-around woods for indoor use.

Cherry

Cherry wood gives off a subtle, slightly fruity smell that most people enjoy. It also burns with a soft, pleasant crackle and doesn’t smoke much when it’s dry.

It’s not the hottest-burning wood, but it creates a cozy atmosphere and won’t overwhelm your living room with strong odors. Bonus: it’s easy to split and stack.

Maple

Hard maple is a great option if you’re after a clean burn and a gentle, slightly sweet scent. It’s a dense hardwood, so it burns for a long time without a ton of smoke.

It’s not as easy to season as some others, but once dry, it’s dependable and comfortable for indoor fires. Soft maple is okay too, though it burns faster.

Hickory

Hickory burns hot and long, and it has a bold, campfire-style aroma that works great indoors if you don’t mind a stronger scent.

It’s a little tougher to split and takes longer to season, but once it’s ready, it performs well in stoves and fireplaces. If you like the smell of smoked meat, hickory will feel familiar.

Ash

Ash burns steady and clean, even if it’s not perfectly seasoned. It doesn’t throw off much smoke and has a mild, neutral smell that’s easy to live with indoors.

It’s a good go-to hardwood that’s not too flashy but gets the job done. It’s also easier to split than many other hardwoods, which makes it more manageable to prep.

Beech

Beech burns hot, clean, and evenly, and it gives off a faintly nutty aroma that’s pleasant in small rooms. It also produces good coals that help keep the fire going.

It needs to be seasoned for at least a year, but it’s worth the wait. It’s a solid choice for anyone using a wood stove for heating.

Birch

Birch burns quickly and cleanly, and it gives off a subtle wintergreen smell when lit. It’s not the longest-burning wood, but it’s great for kindling or short fires.

Paper birch is the easiest to light, but yellow birch gives off a more consistent heat. Either way, it won’t stink up the house or leave behind heavy smoke.

Pecan

Pecan is part of the hickory family, and it burns hot with a slightly sweet, nutty smell. It’s less intense than hickory but still brings a nice aroma to the room.

It’s also great for building strong coals, which makes it handy for long burns in a stove or fireplace. If you’re in the South and can find it, it’s worth stacking.

Mulberry

Mulberry smells similar to apple or cherry wood when burned and gives off a surprising amount of heat. It also pops and cracks a bit, which adds to the cozy factor.

It does need to be well-seasoned to avoid too much smoke, but once dry, it performs well indoors and adds a soft, slightly sweet smell to the room.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.