Best Firewood For Log Burners & Multi-Fuel Stoves

Choosing The Right Firewood For Your Heating Needs

Selecting the appropriate firewood for your log burner or multi-fuel stove can significantly impact heating efficiency, maintenance requirements and running costs. Many homeowners in Derbyshire struggle to identify which wood types provide optimal burning characteristics, often resulting in poor heat output and excessive creosote buildup.

As a tree surgeon in Derby, we understand the importance of using properly seasoned firewood that delivers consistent results throughout the autumn and winter seasons.

Hardwood Options For Long-Lasting Heat

Hardwoods come from deciduous trees that lose their leaves annually, typically providing denser wood with higher energy content. These woods burn longer and produce more heat per log, making them ideal for extended heating periods and overnight burns.

Oak stands as the premium choice for most log burners, offering exceptional burn time and consistent heat output. This wood seasons well, splits easily when properly dried, and produces minimal smoke when burning correctly. Ash provides another excellent option, burning cleanly even when not fully seasoned, though we always recommend properly dried wood for optimal performance.

Beech and birch offer good alternatives, with beech providing steady heat and birch igniting quickly whilst producing attractive flames. Cherry and apple woods burn well but are often reserved for smoking foods due to their pleasant aroma and higher cost.

Softwood Uses & Applications

Softwoods originate from coniferous trees and typically ignite more easily than hardwoods, making them useful for kindling and fire starting. However, most softwoods burn quickly and produce less heat per log compared to hardwood alternatives.

Pine and fir work well for kindling due to their resinous content, which helps fires establish quickly. However, excessive resin can cause creosote buildup in chimneys, requiring more frequent cleaning. Larch provides a better softwood option for sustained burning, offering decent heat output with lower resin content.

Cedar burns cleanly but expensively, whilst spruce and Douglas fir serve adequately for kindling but shouldn't form the majority of your fuel supply.

The Best Firewood For Different Appliances

Log Burner Requirements

Modern log burners operate most efficiently with well-seasoned hardwood that has moisture content below 20%. The enclosed design allows for controlled airflow, making these appliances suitable for slower-burning hardwoods that provide sustained heat output.

Oak, ash, and beech perform exceptionally well in log burners, providing long burn times and consistent temperatures. Size matters significantly for log burners, with logs measuring 25-30cm in length proving ideal for most domestic models. Splitting logs to 10-15cm diameter allows for proper airflow whilst preventing overfiring.

Multi-Fuel Stove Considerations

Multi-fuel stoves offer greater flexibility, accommodating both wood and solid fuels like coal or smokeless briquettes. The grated design allows ash to fall through, making these appliances suitable for various fuel types.

When burning wood in multi-fuel stoves, the same seasoning and sizing principles apply as for log burners. However, the grated base means you can mix wood with other approved fuels to extend burn times or achieve specific heat outputs.

Some multi-fuel stove owners prefer starting fires with softwood kindling before adding hardwood for sustained burning. This approach combines the quick ignition properties of softwood with the lasting heat of hardwood options.

Firewood Preparation

Moisture Content

Properly seasoned wood contains less than 20% moisture content, making it easier to ignite and burn efficiently. Higher moisture levels result in poor combustion, increased smoke production, and potential damage to your appliance or chimney.

Well-seasoned wood feels lighter than green wood, produces a hollow sound when knocked together, and shows visible cracks at the ends.

Green wood requires 12-24 months seasoning time depending on species, size, and storage conditions. Splitting wood accelerates the drying process by increasing surface area exposed to air circulation.

Storage & Handling

Proper storage protects seasoned wood from moisture whilst allowing continued air circulation. Stack wood off the ground using pallets or raised platforms, with the top covered but sides exposed to airflow.

Indoor storage near your heating appliance provides convenient access whilst allowing wood to reach room temperature before burning. However, bringing in only the amount needed for immediate use prevents insects or moisture problems inside your home.

We Sell Fire Wood In Nottingham & Derby!

Get Quality Mixed Logs Delivered – Just £90 Per Bag

LSJ Services Ltd supplies premium mixed hardwood and softwood logs throughout Derbyshire and the surrounding areas. Our seasoned firewood is barn-stored and ready for immediate use, providing reliable heat output for your home heating needs. Contact us today to discuss your firewood requirements and delivery options available in your area.

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