Firewood Guide - Which Logs Should I Buy?
Choosing the right firewood can make a big difference to the heat, burn time and enjoyment of your fire or wood burner. At Pro Logs, we supply Woodsure Ready to Burn kiln-dried firewood across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
In this guide, we explain which logs are best for different types of fires, the differences between Ash, Oak, Silver Birch and mixed hardwood, and whether you should choose kiln-dried or seasoned logs. We’ll also cover log sizes, moisture content, how much firewood you need and how to store your logs.
Whether you’re buying firewood for the first time or looking for the best logs for your stove, our guide will help you choose the right firewood for your home.
Why Choose Kiln-Dried Logs?
For the best results from your fire, we always recommend kiln-dried firewood. Kiln drying removes moisture from the wood in a controlled environment, giving you consistently dry logs that are ready to burn.
Dry firewood is easier to light and burns efficiently, helping you get great heat output from your stove.
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All of our firewood is Woodsure Ready to Burn certified, giving you confidence that you're buying properly dried firewood suitable for use in your home.
What Size Logs Should I Buy?
At Pro Logs, we supply 8-inch and 10-inch kiln-dried logs.
8-Inch Logs
Our 8-inch logs are particularly suitable for smaller wood-burning stoves and fireplaces, where a shorter log is needed to fit comfortably inside the firebox.
10-Inch Logs
Our 10-inch logs are suitable for larger stoves and appliances with a bigger firebox, where there is enough space for a longer log.
Before ordering, we recommend checking your stove manufacturer's instructions for the recommended log length. Your logs should sit comfortably inside the firebox without being forced into position.
If you're unsure whether 8-inch or 10-inch logs are right for your stove, we're happy to help.
Which Type of Firewood Is Best?
At Pro Logs, we supply three types of kiln-dried firewood: Ash, Silver Birch and Mixed Hardwood. Each type has its own characteristics, so your choice can come down to the type of fire you enjoy and how you use your stove or fireplace.
Ash Kiln-Dried Logs
Ash is a dense hardwood known for its steady burning characteristics and good heat output, making it a popular choice for wood-burning stoves and open fires.
Its density and consistent burning characteristics make Ash a dependable choice for regular use.
Silver Birch Kiln-Dried Logs
Silver Birch is a lighter hardwood known for catching easily and producing a lively flame.
It can be particularly enjoyable in an open fire or stove where you want to see and appreciate the flames as well as benefit from the heat.
Mixed Hardwood Kiln-Dried Logs
Our Mixed Hardwood logs contain a mixture of hardwood species, giving you a versatile firewood option with the different characteristics of the woods within the mix.
Mixed Hardwood is well suited to everyday use in wood-burning stoves and open fires.
Which Should I Choose?
There isn't one type of firewood that's right for everyone. Ash, Silver Birch and Mixed Hardwood all have their own characteristics, and your choice can depend on your stove, how you use it and the type of fire you prefer.
Whichever you choose, all of our firewood is kiln dried and available in 8-inch and 10-inch lengths to suit different stove sizes.
How Much Firewood Do I Need?
How much firewood you need depends on several factors, including how often you use your stove, the size and efficiency of your appliance, the temperature outside and how long you normally have your fire burning.
Someone who lights their stove occasionally will naturally use much less firewood than someone who heats their home with a stove every day throughout the winter.
If you're buying firewood for the first time, it can be useful to keep track of how much you use over a typical week. This will give you a better idea of how much you may need throughout the winter.
If you're unsure how much to order, get in touch with Pro Logs and we'll be happy to help.
What Logs Should I Use in a Pizza Oven?
Pizza ovens need dry, clean firewood that is suitable for cooking.
Kiln-dried hardwood is a good choice because it provides a reliable fire and allows you to achieve and maintain the high temperatures needed for cooking pizza.
The size of the logs is also important. Smaller pieces can be easier to manage in a pizza oven and allow you to control the fire and temperature more easily.
Always check your pizza oven manufacturer's recommendations before choosing your fuel.
Never burn treated, painted or contaminated wood in a pizza oven. Only use clean, untreated firewood that is suitable for cooking.
Why Is Woodsure Ready to Burn Important?
When buying firewood, one of the most important things to look for is how dry the wood is. Wet or poorly dried firewood can be difficult to light, produce less useful heat and create more smoke.
Woodsure Ready to Burn certification provides reassurance that the firewood you are buying meets the required moisture content and quality standards for Ready to Burn fuel.
At Pro Logs, all of our firewood is Woodsure Ready to Burn certified. Our logs are kiln dried to achieve a consistently low moisture content, so you can be confident that you're buying properly dried firewood that is ready to burn.
Using dry firewood also helps your stove operate more efficiently and can help reduce unnecessary smoke and emissions when the appliance is operated correctly.
When choosing firewood, look for the Woodsure Ready to Burn certification and buy from a reputable supplier.
Do I Need to Get My Chimney Swept?
Yes. If you use a wood-burning stove or open fire, your chimney or flue should be swept regularly by a qualified chimney sweep. Burning wood produces smoke and deposits that can build up inside the flue over time. Regular sweeping helps remove soot, tar and other deposits and helps keep your chimney working safely and efficiently.
How often your chimney needs to be swept depends on how frequently you use your appliance, the type of appliance you have and the fuel you burn. Your stove manufacturer may also provide specific recommendations, so it's important to follow their guidance.
Using properly dried, kiln-dried firewood can help reduce the amount of smoke produced compared with burning wet or poorly dried wood, but it doesn't remove the need for regular chimney sweeping.
We recommend using a qualified chimney sweep and keeping a record of when your chimney was last swept.
Looking for a Chimney Sweep?
We recommend Navenby Stoves as a local chimney and stove specialist. If you're looking for advice about having your chimney swept or maintaining your stove, they're a good place to start.
Need a Quick Top-Up?
Run out of logs or just need a few extra bags to see you through? Pro Logs is a local supplier to Lincolnshire Co-op, so you can find our kiln-dried firewood at selected Lincolnshire Co-op stores.
It's a convenient option when you need a top-up between deliveries or want to pick up a few bags for an evening by the fire.
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Find out more about lighting your wood burner here.
