Choosing the right type of firewood for your log burner can make a huge difference in heat output, efficiency, safety, and even how often you need to clean your chimney. Whether you're a seasoned wood burner or buying logs for the first time, this guide will help you understand what to look for in firewood and which types are best for your stove.
Why Firewood Type Matters
Not all wood is created equal. Some woods burn hotter, longer, and cleaner than others. The type of wood you burn affects:
Heat efficiency
Burn time
Smoke production
Soot and creosote build-up
Overall cost and value
Choosing the best wood helps you stay warm and safe, while also protecting your stove and chimney.
Hardwood vs Softwood: What’s the Difference?
One of the first things to understand is the distinction between hardwood and softwood.
Hardwood
Hardwoods come from slow-growing deciduous trees like oak, ash, and beech. They are denser and heavier, which means they burn longer and produce more heat.
Benefits of hardwood:
Higher heat output
Longer burn time
Less frequent refuelling
Examples of hardwoods:
Oak
Ash
Beech
Birch
Hornbeam
Softwood
Softwoods come from faster-growing coniferous trees like pine and spruce. They ignite more quickly, making them great for kindling or getting a fire started.
Benefits of softwood:
Easier to light
Great for kindling
Typically cheaper
Examples of softwoods:
Pine
Spruce
Fir
Larch
Note: Softwoods can burn faster and produce more soot if not properly seasoned.
The Importance of Seasoning
Regardless of the wood type, moisture content is crucial. The government introduced the Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuel Standards) (England) Regulations 2020, which ban the sale of wet firewood in quantities under 2 cubic metres. All logs must now be dried to below 20% moisture content.
Why Moisture Matters:
Wet wood is inefficient and smoky
Produces creosote (a fire hazard)
Can damage your stove and flue
Causes poor heat output
At Humber Logs, our seasoned air-dried logs are stored under cover and tested to ensure moisture content stays below 20%, so you can enjoy clean, safe, and efficient burning.
Best Types of Wood for Log Burners
Here are some of the most popular and effective woods to use in your stove:
Ash
Often considered one of the best all-round firewoods.
Burns well even when slightly green
High heat output
Long-lasting
Oak
Dense and slow-burning.
Excellent for long, overnight burns
Needs to be well-seasoned (takes longer to dry)
High heat efficiency
Beech
Great hardwood with steady burn rate.
Burns hot and clean
Needs to be properly seasoned
Birch
Lights easily and burns quickly.
Great for mixing with slower-burning wood like oak
Produces a bright flame
Pine (Softwood)
Fast-burning and easy to light.
Ideal for kindling
Can be resinous, so best used in moderation
Spruce (Softwood)
Burns quickly
Produces a lot of flame but not much heat
Best used for starting fires, not for prolonged heat
Mixing Hardwood and Softwood
For the best results, consider using a combination:
Start your fire with softwood (e.g., pine or spruce)
Maintain heat with hardwood (e.g., ash or oak)
This gives you a quick ignition and long-lasting warmth, while keeping your stove running efficiently.
Avoid These Types of Wood
Some woods should be avoided due to low heat, excess smoke, or harmful by-products.
Unseasoned/Wet Wood:
Illegal in small quantities and harmful to your stove
Treated or Painted Wood:
Releases toxic chemicals
Driftwood:
Contains salt which corrodes metal parts
Resinous Softwoods in Excess:
Can create a sticky residue in your flue
How to Tell If Firewood Is Ready to Burn
You can spot seasoned firewood by:
Cracks at the ends
Lighter weight compared to green wood
A hollow sound when two logs are knocked together
Low moisture content (under 20%)
At Humber Logs, all our logs are naturally air-dried under cover and split for quicker drying, so they’re always ready to burn.
The Humber Logs Difference
As part of Yorkshire Tree Surgery, we know our timber. We use locally sourced, sustainably managed wood and repurpose materials from our professional tree surgery operations. This helps reduce waste and ensures that all logs are ethically produced.
With over 100 five-star reviews, customers across Hull, Beverley, Cottingham, Willerby, Hornsea, Hedon, Withernsea and Holderness trust us to keep them warm during the colder months.
Our logs are:
Air-dried and below 20% moisture
Available in hardwood, softwood or mixed options
Delivered by flatbed truck and placed precisely with a crane
Conclusion: Choose Logs That Work For You
The best type of wood for your log burner depends on what you need:
Ash, oak or beech for long, hot burns
Birch for bright flames
Softwood for kindling and quick starts
Mix and match for best performance
Whatever your preference, make sure your firewood is properly seasoned, locally sourced, and delivered by a trusted supplier.
🔥 Ready to Stock Up?
Don’t wait until the temperature drops. Order your Humber Logs today to guarantee delivery before winter hits. Our seasoned logs go fast once the cold sets in, so book early and stay warm the smart way.
Visit our Facebook page for updates and seasonal availability.
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