Hardwood vs Softwood: What’s the Difference and Which Should I Use?

Why Estimating Your Winter Firewood Needs Matters

When choosing firewood for your stove, burner, or open fire, the most common question we get at Humber Logs is: "Should I use hardwood or softwood?" The answer depends on how you use your fire, how often you burn logs, and what kind of heat output you want. In this article, we break down the key differences to help you make the right choice.

What Is Hardwood?

Hardwood comes from slow-growing trees like oak, ash, and beech. These trees are denser, and that density gives the wood a longer burn time and hotter heat output.

Common hardwoods used for firewood:

Oak

Ash

Beech

Hornbeam

Birch (technically soft, but often classed with hardwoods due to performance)

Benefits of hardwood:

Burns longer and hotter

Less smoke and soot

Needs fewer top-ups

Ideal for overnight or longer fires

When to choose hardwood:

You want a steady, long-lasting fire

You rely on your stove for daily heating

You want maximum heat efficiency

What Is Softwood?

Softwood comes from faster-growing trees like pine, spruce, and fir. It’s less dense, which means it burns faster but also lights more easily.

Common softwoods used for firewood:

Pine

Spruce

Fir

Larch

Benefits of softwood:

Quick to ignite

Produces fast, instant heat

Great for kindling and getting a fire started

Typically cheaper than hardwood

When to choose softwood:

You need quick, short bursts of heat

You want to light your fire quickly

You’re mixing it with hardwood for best results

Why a Mix Might Be the Best Option

At Humber Logs, the majority of our customers buy mixed logs, which combine both hardwood and softwood. This offers the best of both worlds:

Softwood gets your fire going fast

Hardwood keeps it burning hot and slow

Mixed logs are ideal if:

You burn logs regularly for evening or weekend use

You want the best balance of value, performance, and ease

You want to save money without sacrificing quality

What About Moisture Content?

Regardless of whether you choose hardwood, softwood, or a mix, the moisture content matters most. Wet logs:

Are illegal to sell under 2 cubic metres (per DEFRA 2020 rules)

Burn poorly and produce smoke

Lead to soot and chimney build-up

All Humber Logs are air-dried under cover to a moisture content of below 20%, making them compliant, clean-burning, and safe for your home.

Which Type of Firewood Is Right for You?

Type	Best For	Burn Time	Output	Ease of Lighting	Cost
Hardwood	Long, hot burns & steady heat	Long	High	Moderate	£££
Softwood	Fast heat & easy fire-starting	Short	Moderate	Easy	££
Mixed	Everyday use & best of both types	Medium	High	Easy	££

Final Thoughts: Choose What Suits Your Stove & Lifestyle

If you’re still unsure, our advice is simple:

Burn mixed logs for everyday convenience and great value

Use hardwood only for long, overnight burns

Use softwood for kindling or when you need a fast fire

At Humber Logs, we deliver seasoned, ready-to-burn logs across East Yorkshire, with free delivery and a reputation built on quality, service, and local expertise.

🔥 Need help choosing? Just ask us when you order!

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