Hardwood logs vary in how quickly they light, how much flame they produce and how often you need to refuel. For a wood burner, the useful questions are straightforward: are the logs dry enough, will they fit the firebox, and do you want quick heat or a slower burn?
Ash, birch and oak are all familiar choices. There is no single best hardwood for every stove. Start with the fuel guidance in your appliance manual, then choose a species and cut that suit how you use it.
Check the moisture content first
The species name on the bag cannot tell you whether a log is ready to burn. Wet hardwood can be difficult to light because some of the fire’s heat is used to evaporate the water it contains.
Aim for a moisture content of 20% or less, and follow any more specific requirements from your stove manufacturer. To check logs at home, split one and use a moisture meter on the freshly exposed inner face. Follow the meter’s instructions and check several logs from different parts of the load. Testing only the bark or weathered outside can give a misleading impression of the moisture inside.
Kiln drying and seasoning are two ways of drying firewood. Kiln drying uses controlled conditions; seasoning relies on natural drying over time. Properly seasoned logs can also be ready to burn. Check the stated moisture content rather than assuming seasoned wood always needs more drying.
Ash, birch or oak: which should you choose?
Ash for regular stove use
Ash logs give a steady flame and are a useful all-round choice. Dry ash is generally easier to get going than oak, making it worth considering if you want one species for everyday fires.
Birch for getting heat quickly
Birch logs light readily, with the bark helping the fire catch. They produce a lively flame and usually burn through faster than oak. They suit shorter fires or the early stages of a fire before adding denser logs.
Oak for a slower burn
Oak logs take more heat to get going. Add them once the fire is established rather than expecting a large oak log to catch from a small amount of kindling. They generally burn more slowly than birch, so can suit longer evening fires.
Burn time still depends on log size, the amount loaded and the stove’s air settings. No species guarantees a fixed number of hours between refuelling.
Is mixed hardwood a sensible choice?
A mixed load is useful if you do not need a particular species. Individual pieces may behave differently, but you can use smaller splits to establish the fire and add larger pieces once there is enough heat.
Our mixed hardwood logs are available in kiln dried and seasoned options. The mix varies and individual species cannot be specified. Check the product description if you need a particular log length or moisture content.
Check the length and thickness before ordering
Measure the usable space in your firebox and check the maximum log length in the stove manual. Leave the clearance the manufacturer recommends. A log that only just fits can be awkward to load and position.
Thickness matters too. A thin split catches more readily than a thick piece of the same species. Thick logs need an established fire and may be unsuitable for a small appliance, even when their length is correct.
Check both measurements when comparing products. If you are changing supplier or trying a different cut, do not assume it will be the same as your last delivery.
Compare quantities on the same basis
Check whether a stated volume is loose or stacked. Logs settle together more closely when stacked, so a stacked cubic metre and a loose cubic metre are different quantities of wood. External crate dimensions also include the container and are not a direct measure of the timber inside.
Choose a quantity you can store under cover with ventilation. Buying a larger load is only practical if there is space to keep it dry. Our guide to storing kiln dried logs outside explains how to prepare the storage area and protect the wood after delivery.
Questions before you order
Can I mix different hardwoods in the same fire?
Yes, provided each is suitable for your appliance and dry enough to burn. You do not need to empty the stove before changing species. Add logs in the quantities recommended by the manufacturer.
Why does my stove glass still go black with dry logs?
Moisture is only one possible cause. Air supply, how the logs are positioned and the way the stove is operated can also affect combustion. Check the operating instructions. If the problem continues, ask your stove installer or chimney sweep to investigate rather than assuming a different species will fix it.
Will a denser hardwood give more heat in every stove?
Not necessarily. The heat reaching the room depends on the quantity of fuel, its moisture content and how the appliance is run. Choose fuel within the stove’s specification rather than loading more wood or restricting the air to extend the burn.
Choosing your next load
For regular stove use, dry ash is a straightforward starting point. Birch is useful when you want a fire to get going quickly; oak suits an established fire when you prefer a slower burn. A mixed load gives you another option if a named species is not essential.
Check the moisture, length, cut and quantity on the product page before ordering. If you are unsure which cut will fit your stove, call us on 01653 668177 with the appliance details and maximum log length. You can also compare the current hardwood firewood range online.