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Wood Burning Guide

How to Choose the Right Wood for Your Stove

Not all wood is created equal. Learn which types burn best, how to season properly, and how to store your fuel for maximum efficiency.

20% or Less

Ideal Moisture Content

1-2 Years

Seasoning Time Needed

Hardwood Best

For Long-Lasting Heat

Why the Right Wood Matters

Choosing the right wood for your stove isn't just about getting a nice fire going. The type of wood you burn directly affects:

Your Fuel Costs

Good wood burns longer and hotter, meaning you use less of it

Heat Output

Different woods produce different amounts of heat energy

Chimney Health

Wet or wrong wood creates excess creosote and soot

Safety

Poor quality wood increases chimney fire risk

Quick Tip: Using the wrong wood can cost you more in fuel, damage your chimney, and even void your stove warranty. It's worth getting this right from the start.

Rough, veined hands carry freshly chopped logs. Behind them, firewood is piled high. The scene tells a story of resilience.

Hardwood vs. Softwood: What's the Difference?

Hardwood

Comes from deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves). Denser and burns longer.

✅ Best For:

• Long, slow burns
• Maximum heat output
• Overnight burning
• Primary heating source

Popular Types:

Oak Ash Beech Birch Hornbeam

💰 Price:

More expensive but better value as it burns longer

Softwood

Comes from coniferous trees (evergreens). Less dense and burns faster.

✅ Best For:

• Quick heat boost
• Starting fires (kindling)
• Spring/autumn burning
• Supplemental heat

Popular Types:

Pine Spruce Fir Cedar Larch

💰 Price:

Cheaper but you'll use more of it

Our Recommendation

Use hardwood for your main burns and keep some softwood for kindling. This gives you the best of both worlds - easy lighting and long-lasting heat.

The Best Wood Types for Your Stove (Ranked)

Here's our expert ranking of the most common firewoods available in the UK

Wood Type	Heat Output	Burn Time	Ease of Splitting	Rating
🏆 Oak The gold standard	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Very Long	Moderate	Excellent
🥈 Ash Can burn when fresh	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Very Long	Easy	Excellent
🥉 Beech Great all-rounder	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Long	Moderate	Excellent
Birch Good for kindling	⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Easy	Good
Hornbeam Dense & hot	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Very Long	Difficult	Excellent
Cherry Pleasant smell	⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Easy	Good
Apple Sweet aroma	⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Moderate	Good
Pine Softwood - kindling	⭐⭐	Short	Very Easy	Fair

🏆

Oak

The Champion

✅ Pros:

• Highest heat output
• Burns slowest (lasts longest)
• Low smoke when seasoned
• Creates beautiful hot coals

⚠️ Cons:

• Takes 2 years to season properly
• More expensive
• Harder to split

🥈

Ash

The Versatile One

✅ Pros:

• Can burn when fresh (low moisture)
• Easy to split
• Excellent heat output
• Low smoke production

⚠️ Cons:

• Ash dieback disease affecting supply
• Can be harder to find

🥉

Beech

The Reliable Choice

✅ Pros:

• Great heat output
• Long burn time
• Readily available
• Attractive flames

⚠️ Cons:

• Must be well-seasoned
• Moderate splitting difficulty

The Critical Importance of Seasoning

This is the most important section of this guide. Even the best wood in the world will perform terribly if it's not properly seasoned (dried).

Why Wet Wood is a Disaster

❌ Produces massive amounts of smoke - and sends most of your money up the chimney as steam
❌ Creates creosote buildup - a tar-like substance that causes chimney fires
❌ Gives off minimal heat - most energy goes to evaporating water, not heating your home
❌ Damages your stove - can crack glass and corrode metal components
❌ It's actually illegal - burning wet wood violates UK regulations

Understanding Moisture Content

Under 20% ✅ PERFECT

Ideal moisture content. Burns efficiently, produces good heat, minimal smoke. This is what you want.

20-25% ⚠️ ACCEPTABLE

Will burn but not optimally. More smoke, less heat. Needs more time to season.

Over 25% ❌ DON'T BURN

Too wet to burn safely or efficiently. Will cause problems. Leave it to season longer.

Pro Tip: Get a Moisture Meter

A moisture meter costs £10-20 and takes the guesswork out of knowing when your wood is ready to burn. Split a log, test the inside (not the surface), and only burn when it reads under 20%.

How to Season Wood Properly

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Timeframe

• Softwood: 6-12 months
• Most hardwoods: 12-18 months
• Oak: 18-24 months
• Ash: Can burn fresh but better at 12 months

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Size Matters

• Split logs to 6-8 inches diameter
• Smaller = dries faster
• Leave bark on (helps shed rain)
• Cut to length for your stove

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Storage Location

• Off the ground (use pallets)
• Covered roof (but open sides)
• South-facing if possible (sun & wind)
• Not directly against buildings

🌬️

Airflow is Key

• Stack loosely (not tight)
• Open sides for ventilation
• Criss-cross pattern works well
• Face prevailing wind direction

Stack of firewood along an outside wall of a hause with golden bokeh. Rustic background for wintertime.

Buying "Ready to Burn" Wood

If you don't have time or space to season your own wood, look for suppliers selling "Ready to Burn" certified wood. This certification guarantees:

✅ Moisture content below 20%
✅ Legal to burn in smoke control areas
✅ Independently tested and certified
✅ Comes with documentation

It costs more than unseasoned wood, but you can burn it immediately and it performs much better.

Important Warning

Wood You Should NEVER Burn

Some woods are dangerous, illegal, or will damage your stove and chimney

🚫 Treated or Painted Wood

Includes fence panels, pallets (unless marked "heat treated"), railway sleepers, or any painted/varnished wood.

⚠️ WHY: Releases toxic chemicals including arsenic, cyanide, and formaldehyde. Extremely dangerous.

🚫 Driftwood

Any wood that's been in seawater.

⚠️ WHY: High salt content creates toxic fumes and corrodes your stove from the inside.

🚫 Green or Wet Wood (over 25% moisture)

Freshly cut wood that hasn't been seasoned.

⚠️ WHY: Creates excessive smoke, creosote buildup, and is now ILLEGAL to sell or burn in England.

🚫 Plywood, MDF, Chipboard

Any engineered wood products or furniture.

⚠️ WHY: Glues and resins release toxic fumes when burned.

⚠️ Large Conifer/Pine Logs (use with caution)

Not dangerous, but not ideal for main burns.

⚠️ WHY: High resin content can cause creosote buildup. Fine for kindling, but don't use as your primary fuel.

🚫 Rubbish, Paper, Cardboard, Packaging

Never use your stove as a waste incinerator.

⚠️ WHY: Releases harmful pollutants, damages stove, illegal, and voids warranty.

Simple Rule: If you're not 100% certain it's untreated, seasoned firewood from a known tree species, don't burn it. Your health, your stove, and your chimney will thank you.

Quick Tips for Wood Burning Success

Start Hot, Burn Hot

Use dry kindling to get the fire going quickly. A hot start reduces smoke and creosote formation.

Bring Wood Inside Early

Bring in tomorrow's wood today. Room-temperature wood ignites faster and burns more efficiently.

Mix Your Wood Types

Use softwood for starting, hardwood for the main burn. Each has its purpose in your fire.

Size Your Logs Right

Logs should be 25% smaller than your firebox. Too big = incomplete burn and wasted fuel.

Don't Overload

Air needs to circulate around the logs. Overloading smothers the fire and creates smoke.

Keep Your Chimney Clean

Even perfect wood creates some buildup. Regular sweeping is essential for safety and efficiency.

Wood Costs: What to Expect

Prices vary by region, supplier, and season, but here's a rough guide for UK firewood costs (2024):

Kiln-Dried Hardwood (Ready to Burn)

Per cubic metre

£120-180

Air-Dried Hardwood (Seasoned)

Per cubic metre

£80-120

Unseasoned Hardwood (You Season It)

Per cubic metre

£50-80

Softwood (Kindling)

Per bag/bundle

£5-10

Budget Tip: Buy unseasoned wood in spring/summer, season it yourself, and save 30-50%. You'll have perfect wood ready for next winter.

The Bottom Line

✅ Choose hardwood (oak, ash, beech) for main burns

✅ Always check moisture - it must be under 20%

✅ Season properly - 12-24 months depending on wood type

✅ Store correctly - off ground, covered top, open sides

❌ Never burn treated wood, wet wood, or rubbish

Book a Chimney Sweep Our Services

HETAS Certified Chimney Sweeps • Essex & Hertfordshire

Why This Matters for Your Chimney Health

Even when you burn the perfect wood, your chimney still needs regular professional sweeping. The best wood in the world can't eliminate all creosote and soot - it just minimizes it.

At Sweep Sisters, we see the difference proper wood choice makes. Chimneys used with well-seasoned hardwood are cleaner, safer, and need less frequent repairs. But they still need annual sweeping to stay safe and compliant with UK regulations.

How Often Should You Sweep Your Chimney? Learn About Creosote Dangers