We Tested the Cutting Edge Firewood Subscription for Fire Pits and Pizza Ovens (2024)

We tested Cutting Edge Firewood delivery service for nearly two months to see if it's worth the high price.

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The best firewood for heating your home used to be anything you could get your ax and hands on, but times have changed and people have options. We’re not just talking about hardwood vs. softwood or seasoned vs. kiln-dried firewood. Firewood delivery companies like Cutting Edge Firewood deliver “premium” logs for indoor fireplaces, backyard fire pits and pizza ovens. It claims its firewood burns cleaner, is easier to light and lasts longer than traditional firewood.

As an avid outdoorsman who has cut his firewood and tried dozens of brands found at home improvement stores, I was skeptical of Cutting Edge Firewood, especially since some boxes cost around $150. Is it worth it? After testing it for nearly two months, my answer is yes, but with some caveats that I’ll address in my full Cutting Edge Firewood review.

What is Cutting Edge Firewood?

We Tested the Cutting Edge Firewood Subscription for Fire Pits and Pizza Ovens (1)Anthony O'Reilly

Cutting Edge Firewood is a firewood delivery service specializing in artisanal wood for fire pits and wood-burning pizza ovens. This review focuses on firewood for fire pits because I, unfortunately, do not own a pizza oven.

You know how some people have fancy dinnerware sets they reserve for company or special occasions? I like to think of Cutting Edge Firewood as the same thing but with firewood. Each log is inspected by firewood experts who throw away any wet or rotten pieces, and the good ones are kiln-dried for 48 hours at 250 degrees Fahrenheit. This process removes moisture and kills anything that might be inside the wood, such as bugs or mold, resulting in firewood that’s easier to light, burns longer and gives off less smoke. The firewood is then delivered right to your door, and there’s even an option to have an employee set it up in your firewood rack for you.

Cutting Edge Firewood has a wide variety of firewood, including uncut rounds and “extended burn” wood that’s four times thicker than your average logs. It also has fire butlers—someone who tends to your fire during parties—and fire pit rentals. It’s essentially a one-stop shop for all your firewood and fire pit needs.

We Tried It

Cutting Edge Firewood

You'll never run out of firewood again, thanks to the Cutting Edge Firewood delivery service.

How We Tested It

We Tested the Cutting Edge Firewood Subscription for Fire Pits and Pizza Ovens (3)Anthony O'Reilly

With temperatures dropping and friends coming by for holiday gatherings, there was no better way to test Cutting Edge Firewood than right in my backyard. I used the wood in an in-ground fire pit and the Tiki Brand smokeless fire pit.

Cutting Edge Firewood delivered a box of their its cherry firewood right to my door, and it should go without saying, but the box was pretty heavy. This wasn’t a problem for me since I lift weights regularly, but the average homeowner might need assistance getting it to their firewood rack. Maybe it was a placebo effect, but I swear I smelled the sweet aroma of cherry wood as soon as I opened the box. I was also impressed at the quality of the wood—most pieces were the same size, and there was zero mold, mushrooms or splintering. Some of the logs had the Cutting Edge Firewood logo imprinted on them, which was a nice touch. Each box comes with excelsior fire starters, wood matches and kindling to help start your fire and, to be honest, the fire starters are one of my favorite parts of this box. I’ve used them on other firewood and they’ve helped get everything lit in seconds. The matches are high quality, too.

Onto the main event: the firewood. These logs lit quicker than any other firewood I’ve tried in my life—and I’ve used quite a lot of firewood during my time. The first time I tested them I used a few pieces of the included kindling along with a few sticks from my backyard, but it quickly became apparent the extra wood was unnecessary. My second fire with Cutting Edge Firewood only had about three pieces of kindling and a starter, and it lit just as well as the first one.

I like a hot fire (who doesn’t?), which means I’m usually placing extra logs for extra fuel. This wasn’t the case with Cutting Edge Firewood. One of my first fires lasted about 25 to 30 minutes before I needed to add another one to the pit, which meant I needed to use less wood. To give you an idea of how well they perform, I’m writing this review about two months after receiving my first box and I still have enough wood left for at least two more hour-long fireside sessions.

The firewood provided that lovely crackle we all know and love, but it didn’t spark or give off smoke like the firewood you find in the wild or at roadside stands. You could stand directly over this fire without getting irritated eyes, which makes it a smart option for people with indoor fireplaces (the cleaner-burning wood is also less likely to cause creosote buildup in your chimney).

I usually try to balance my reviews with something I didn’t like about a product, but honestly, I can’t think of anything other than the high price.

Pros

  • Delivered to your door
  • Cleaner-burning wood
  • Smokeless
  • Kiln-dried
  • Easier to light
  • Lasts longer
  • Starters, kindling and matches included

Cons

  • Pricey

FAQ

What is the best way to cut firewood?

We Tested the Cutting Edge Firewood Subscription for Fire Pits and Pizza Ovens (4)Anthony O'Reilly

The most efficient way to cut firewood is by using an appropriately sized chainsaw to cut your logs to a size that will fit in your backyard or in-home fire pit.

Is kiln-dried firewood worth it?

If you’re looking for firewood that’s easy to light and doesn’t produce smoke, then kiln-dried firewood is worth it. These logs are placed in a kiln for 24 to 48 hours to draw out moisture and kill anything that might be in the wood, such as mushrooms or bugs. Kiln-dried firewood also produces less creosote buildup in chimneys.

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

We Tested the Cutting Edge Firewood Subscription for Fire Pits and Pizza Ovens (5)Anthony O'Reilly

Cutting Edge Firewood has an average rating of 4.8 out of five stars on The Home Depot, and 22 of the 25 customer reviewers gave it five stars, though most of the comments were about its cooking firewood.

“Smells great and makes the food taste great,” writes one five-star reviewer. “Have used on a grill and in a pizza oven. Amazing how the food tastes so much better.”

Product Comparison

There are thousands of firewood delivery services, but Cutting Edge Firewood is one of the few that offers nationwide delivery. If you’re in the New York City Tri-State area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut), Woodburne Boys offers similar services at comparable prices. Ranch Hand Firewood covers the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, and United Kingdom customers can check out Love Logs. All those companies have fewer firewood types than Cutting Edge Firewood.

Minneapolis-based Firewood.com is another popular nationwide delivery service, though it’s one we haven’t tried (yet). It offers a cut and split mix of oak, birch and maple firewood and white paper birch logs. It’s more affordable than Cutting Edge Firewood, and it uses a natural drying process instead of kiln drying. Cutting Edge Firewood also has a wider variety of firewood types.

Final Verdict

Listen, I understand if Cutting Edge Firewood gave you sticker shock—I felt it, too. That said, after using it for nearly two months I now understand why indoor gas fireplace owners would invest in this stuff. It just smells, burns and looks better than any other firewood I’ve bought. Its delivery services ensure you’ll never run out of firewood.

For those with outdoor fireplaces, I’ll repeat that this firewood is like your “fancy” dinner set. Bring it out when you have company or if you’re celebrating a special occasion.

Where to Buy Cutting Edge Firewood

We Tried It

Cutting Edge Firewood

Keep your firewood rack stocked all winter long with the Cutting Edge Firewood subscription.

Cutting Edge Firewood costs from $89 to $189, depending on the type. The wild cherry firewood we tested for this review is $149 per box and comes with about 20 logs, four starters, eight pieces of kindling and a box of wood matches. You can shop Cutting Edge Firewood on the brand’s website, Amazon and The Home Depot.

We Tested the Cutting Edge Firewood Subscription for Fire Pits and Pizza Ovens (2024)

FAQs

What's best to burn in a fire pit? ›

Seasoned hardwoods like oak will burn longer, whereas softer woods like pine will burn a lot faster due to their resin content and lower airier density. It's best to avoid softwoods or any high resin content wood (pines etc.) as these will "spit" more when burning.

What wood burns longest in a fire pit? ›

Which is the Best Hardwood Wood For A Fire Pit?
  • OAK - When seasoned, oak is the best firewood to use. It burns slowly and is long-lasting. ...
  • ASH - Produces good heat, good flame and burns slowly.
  • APPLE - Burns slowly and produces good heat. ...
  • BEECH - Burns well but quick; make sure it's well seasoned.
Jul 18, 2023

What wood not to burn in a fire pit? ›

Some Things to Not Burn in Your Firepit

You don't want to burn treated wood, deck lumber, painted or stained wood planks, shipping palettes, or driftwood. These types of wood have usually been treated with chemicals that can be potentially dangerous and toxic to inhale.

What is the least smoky wood for a fire? ›

Hardwood, such as oak, maple, and birch, burns hotter and cleaner than softwood, such as pine and fir. Softwood contains more resin, which can result in a smokier fire. For less smoke, stick to hardwood that has been properly dried and seasoned.

Should I put anything in the bottom of my fire pit? ›

Use Sand to Protect the Bottom from Heat

To prevent this, add a thin layer of sand to the pit before adding wood. The sand will act as insulation and protect the metal from the worst of the heat without taking away from the beauty or aroma of the fire.

Is iron or steel better for a fire pit? ›

From reading our guide, you can see that when choosing between a cast iron or steel fire pit, there is no one option better than the other. Whilst there is a slight difference in design and heat retention, there is no reason to rule out either material and both will act as a delightful centrepiece in your garden.

What's the worst wood to burn? ›

The Worst Types of Wood to Burn
  • Chestnut.
  • Douglas Fir.
  • Elder.
  • Elm.
  • Laburnum.
  • Larch.
  • Laurel.
  • Poplar.
Oct 12, 2021

What is the longest lasting material for a fire pit? ›

Stainless steel is an ideal material for withstanding head and weather—as well as resisting rust. Stainless steel fire pits are generally higher priced—but this is due to their high quality and durability. You'll typically find stainless steel fire pits in brushed or powder-coated finishes.

Where should you not put a fire pit? ›

Keep your fire pit away from overhanging branches. A 21-foot clearance is standard for most municipalities. Don't put your fire pit too close to your property line. The minimum distance between the fire and property line varies from county to county, so be sure to check your local guidelines.

What wood causes the most creosote? ›

Contrary to popular opinion, the hardwood's, like oak and poplar , created MORE creosote than the softwoods, like tamarack and pine. The reason for this, is that if the softwoods are dry, they create a hotter, more intense fire. The draft created by the hotter fire moves the air up the chimney faster!

What rocks should not be used in a fire pit? ›

Porous rocks, including limestone, sandstone, pumice, and shale, are notorious for absorbing water and should be avoided in your campfire. River rocks, often rounded from years of water erosion, are remarkably deceptive.

What is the slowest burning firewood? ›

Hardwood Logs

Hardwood burns the slowest, produces the most intense fires, and produces hot coals that remain hot long after a fire has gone out.

What is the least smelly firewood? ›

Oak Firewood creates a more subtle fragrance

Oak firewood is a popular alternative to hickory because it is milder and less sweet than hickory. Nonetheless, oak is a hardwood that's easy to light, burns hot and produces a mild yet pleasing aroma. Many people choose to mix and match their oak firewood with others.

Are there types of wood you should not burn? ›

Old furniture wood - unfortunately, burning old furniture will mean burning wood which has been painted or treated a lot. Plywood or MDF - comprises adhesives and resins that could be harmful to your health. Treated or painted wood - includes chemicals that have the potential to produce dangerous vapours.

How can I make my fire pit last longer? ›

Best to use only clean, dry firewood in your pit. Matches and kindling: As with combustibles other than firewood, fluids used to start fires also can damage a fire pit. Never get a fire going with gasoline, lighter fluid, kerosene, charcoal starter or any other accelerant.

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