Why African Hardwood Will Dominate Your Fireplace in Winter
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When the days get shorter and the fireplace is lit again, you want wood that provides warmth, lasts a long time and burns cleanly.
Many people automatically choose oak or beech, but if you try African hardwoods — Mopane, Cameldoring, Swarthaak or Sekelbos — you will soon notice the difference.
African hardwood is not just an alternative.
It is the champion of burning time and heat efficiency .
1. Denser wood = more energy
The strength of African hardwood lies in its density.
Where European wood such as oak or beech has a density of 700–900 kg per m³ , Mopane reaches up to 1200 kg per m³ .
That means:
- More mass per block → more energy
- Slower combustion → less frequent refilling
- Higher heat output → a warmer house with less wood
👉 In practice this means: one block of Mopane burns up to twice as long as one block of oak.
2. Burn longer, less smoke
Oak and beech burn well, but faster.
African wood types burn evenly and steadily , with less smoke and hardly any sparks.
Benefits for your fireplace or stove:
- Less soot deposits on the glass
- Cleaner combustion
- Higher temperature = better efficiency
This way you get more out of every stoke — literally.
3. The winners in burn time
| Wood type | Average burn time | Heat output | Smoke development |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birch | Short | Low | Moderate |
| Beech | Average | Good | Moderate |
| Oak | Good | Good | Changing |
| Camel threshing | Very long | Very high | Low |
| Mopane | Very long | Very high | Very low |
| Black hook | Long | High | Low |
| Sicklewood | Average | High | Low |
The numbers speak for themselves: African hardwood wins on all fronts.
4. Sustainable and efficient heating
Because African hardwood is so compact, you need less wood to get the same heat.
This not only makes it more efficient, but also more sustainable.
Furthermore, all the wood in our range is naturally dried — without chemical treatment or artificial drying.
5. Perfect for the winter fireplace
African hardwood is ideal for:
- Fireplaces
- Wood stoves
- Fire baskets or outdoor fireplaces
It burns steadily, warmly and smoke-free — just what you want during the cold months.
With Mopane or Cameldoring you choose quality you can feel: more warmth, less effort, longer enjoyment.
Order African hardwood for your fireplace
Experience for yourself why African hardwood dominates winter.
Browse our range of Mopane, Camel Doring, Swarthaak, and Sekelbos — carefully selected and perfect for your fireplace or stove.