Choosing the best (and correct) woods to fuel your stove is an important part of operating a log burner as it impacts not only the heat output but also the overall performance and longevity of your beloved stove and ultimately, the environment. Grabbing a soggy bag of logs from your local garage forecourt or cutting down a neighbour’s overhanging tree is rarely the best way to go as all wood should be responsibly sourced from approved bodies and fully seasoned with an absolute maximum moisture content of 20%.
But with so many types of wood available, which ones are best suited to your wood burner at home? As a basic rule, hardwoods are best as they burn hotter and longer whereas trees known for high resin content must be avoided as they will cause creosote buildup in your chimney. Below are our top 5 recommendations:
Oak is an excellent choice as it burns hot and slow, providing long-lasting heat. It’s also readily available in many areas, making it a popular choice. Oak also imparts a great flavour into food should you use your burner for cooking.
Another great option is Maple. Like oak, it’s dense and tough, making it burn hot and long. It also produces a lot of heat and burns cleanly, without creating too much smoke or ash.
Birch is a popular choice as it’s easy to split and has a pleasant aroma when burned. It’s also ideal for starting fires as it burns hot and fast.
Ash is an excellent choice for a wood-burning stove as it produces very little smoke and burns at high temperatures. It’s also easy to split and readily available in many areas.
Beech is another popular choice for wood-burning stoves as it burns hot and long, and produces little smoke. It also has a sweet aroma when burned, making it a great choice for those who enjoy the smell of burning wood.
By choosing the right type of wood for you, you can keep your home warm and cozy all winter long whilst maintaining the life of your log burner and flue. Half the fun of stove ownership is trying the different woods available and finding what works best for you. But never forget, no fuel type is a substitute for regular sweeping and maintenance of your burner and flue system.
