Cherilyn Mok and husband Lim Yang Hock choosing split mangrove logs for their next camping adventure from Ah Kee’s stockpiles near the corner of Jalan Sungai Pinang and Jalan Jelutong in Penang.
Camping in the highlands of Malaysia practically begs for a campfire.
When night falls and temperatures dip to around 10°C in Cameron Highlands, there’s nothing like warming up beside the glow of crackling logs.
But if you’re planning to find firewood on-site – forget it.
Managed campsites rarely allow gathering deadwood and most operators explicitly forbid it.
The solution? Bring your own.
(From left) A firewood stove with a tall chimney produces much warmth, keeps the wood burning for a long time and sends the smoke overhead. An open fire sends annoying smoke in your eyes and flying embers that burn little holes in your clothing, so use a firewood stove with a tall chimney like this.
Rhys, a Shah Alam-based firewood seller who’s been in the business for seven years, swears by mangrove firewood.
“It burns hotter and longer than most types of wood because it’s so dense,” he says.
“And in Malaysia, mangrove wood is harvested sustainably under government oversight to protect our coastal forests.”
He offers three types of mangrove firewood, all available for nationwide delivery to restaurants and campers alike:
• Split logs with bark on: Ideal for smoky cooking.
“If you’re using a smoker, this produces loads of smoke and gives food a rich aroma,” says Rhys.
• Split logs without bark: Best when you just want steady, clean heat for warmth.
• Camping Spec: These logs are coated in vegetable oil to resist humidity and ignite easily.
“Dry wood absorbs moisture and campers can end up with a weak fire. The coat of oil ensures that campers will get a good blaze every time,” says Rhys.
A firewood stove with a tall chimney produces much warmth, keeps the wood burning for a long time and sends the smoke overhead.
Expect to pay RM110 per basket for bark-on logs, RM120 for bark-less ones (transport not included) or RM25 for a 12kg bag of Camping Spec, which is enough for a night’s campfire.
If you’re holidaying in Penang, you can also buy firewood from old-school sellers in Jalan Sungai Pinang near the junction with Jalan Jelutong.
Stacks of mangrove logs sit neatly not far from the roadside, some from family-run operations dating back to the 1950s that also sell charcoal.
Prices range between RM1 and RM3 per split log, depending on sizes.
An open fire sends annoying smoke in your eyes and flying embers that burn little holes in your clothing, so use a firewood stove with a tall chimney like this.
One veteran seller, who goes by Ah Kee, says his main customers are hawkers, though campers and barbecue fans occasionally drop in.
“Even if a log’s wet, just split it. The heartwood is usually dry. And termites avoid mangrove wood, so you can store it for a long time.”
Sacks of split mangrove logs ready for delivery at Rhys’ base in Shah Alam.
For safer, more efficient fires, consider using a proper firewood stove with a tall chimney instead of a bare open flame.
It sends smoke overhead and keeps the embers contained so you don’t end up with burn holes in your clothes.
It also burns slower – saving your precious firewood.
Firewood is also available from large camping supply shops, or you can contact Rhys at 011-1191 9599 or Ah Kee at 016-423 8706 for direct orders.
