Not all Swedish torches are created equal — and the wood they’re made from plays a huge role in how well they perform. If you’ve ever struggled to light a torch, had one smoke too much, or found it burned out too quickly, the wrong wood was likely to blame.
Here’s what makes the perfect Swedish torch, and why we’ve chosen birch for ours.
What Makes a Good Torch Wood?
Swedish torches need to do three things well: light easily, burn steadily, and stay clean. That all comes down to the wood species and how it's prepared.
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Low moisture: Wood that’s too damp will struggle to ignite and produce more smoke.
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Moderate density: You want a balance between fast lighting and burn duration.
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Straight grain: This helps the flame rise and stay centred within the log.
Why Birch Is the Best Choice
Birch is a tried-and-true species for Swedish torches. It’s dense enough to give a decent burn time but lights much more easily than heavier hardwoods like oak. Birch bark also contains natural oils that act like firelighter — making it one of the easiest woods to ignite, even outdoors.
When kiln-dried, birch gives a clean, steady burn with minimal smoke and a strong flame. That’s exactly what you want from a Swedish torch.
What About Other Woods?
While some torches are made from pine, spruce, or even oak, each has drawbacks. Pine can burn too quickly and produce more resinous smoke. Oak burns longer but is harder to light and takes longer to reach cooking temperature. Softwoods like spruce are lightweight and cheap, but don’t hold a flame well in torch form.
Birch hits the sweet spot for balance, reliability, and performance.
How Ours Are Made
At The Logsmith, we use responsibly sourced birch and kiln-dry it to under 20% moisture content — the sweet spot for Swedish torches. Each log is precision cut to around 23–28cm wide and 18cm tall, with internal cross-cuts that channel the flame upward.
They're designed to be:
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Easy to light with a single firestarter
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Long burning (up to 2 hours)
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Low in smoke
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Suitable for cooking or atmosphere
With no added chemicals, binders, or fuss — just well-prepared, ready-to-burn birch that delivers every time.
Final Thought
The best Swedish torch isn’t just about the look — it’s about performance. And the right wood makes all the difference. Whether you’re using it for outdoor cooking, fireside drinks, or a heat source off-grid, birch gives you the results you want with none of the hassle.