[Beginners Guide] 7 Tips How to Choose the Best Wood for Wood Burning

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When choosing the best wood for pyrography, there are 7 points that will help make your decision easier.

1. Wood Toxicity

That might seem like a no-brainer, but I've seen people talk about wanting to burn things like oleander. That literally puts off toxic fumes like poison ivy does when it burns. Don't burn toxic or poisonous woods!

2. Raw, Untreated, Dry Wood

This is the best wood for wood burning. Again, we're avoiding toxicity here.

3. Hard vs Soft

I'm not talking scientific terms - I'm talking about actual hardness and softness. For example, basswood and poplar are scientifically "hardwoods" - but both are physically softer than white fir which is scientifically a "softwood".

Your decision here is mostly based on your opinion... but if your project is functional - like a cutting board or a piece of furniture - then this can make a huge difference.

4. Smooth Grain

Rough grain will fight you as you burn. Smooth grain doesn't.

5. Color Variations

Again, this goes back to preference.

6. Live Edge vs Not

Do you like bark? If so, go for live edge.

7. Slabs vs Slices

The cut of wood makes a difference on the grain and how much you have to fight it (or not fight it).

Once you know what matters most and gained an opinion on your favorite kinds of wood, choosing the best wood for wood burning will be a breeze!

Check out these other pyro resources I made for you:

🔥PYRO AMAZON SHOP: MY RECOMMENDATIONS

🔥 WOODBURNING PROJECTS
The Crate Club Subscription Box

🔥 WOODBURNING RETREAT
Burn Savvy Retreat

🔥 PYROGRAPHY TECHNIQUES
Basic Beginner Woodburning Techniques Video

🔥 EMAIL
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🔥 WEBSITE
Learn All Things Pyrography

Thanks for watching. Later Pyro!

-Jannie
Your Pyro Professor

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[rekyud]

enormous thanks from a neurodivergent chaos casserole... wood burning is so *centering* for me, but i'm impatient to learn and quick to give up when i screw up. but your videos are such a great mix of intriguing, charming, informative, and "watchable" (if that term makes sense), and i've learned more effectively from you in the last year than on my own in the last decade. thank you for putting so much love into making these videos because the quality shines.

[daniellewin]

nice vieo you made me start pyrography
My admiration from France

[lesdawson]

I am looking for techniques for signing some of my woodwork. I have a small woodwriter kit with a "blade" and plain edge. Obviously, I don't know about which I speak. I also have a home-made a burner. Hints on technique and new tips would be appreciated.

[sandeebond]

How or where would you make your “picture” to be enlarged to trace? Like bigger than 8”x11”? Thank you🤗