Choosing the right firewood for your appliance

Choosing the right firewood for your needs is not always easy so here are a few useful tips, although you can always ring us at to discuss your requirements.

Firewood for a wood burning stove or Pizza Oven

It is essential that you use dry firewood in your stove or oven. Manufacturers often recommend a maximum of 20% moisture content, but up to 25% moisture content is what the HETAS quality standard recommends.

This quality will ensure a clean burn with no blackening of the stove glass or build-up of soot or tar in the chimney or flue. It also means that in an efficient stove, you will actually use far less firewood, so more cost effective.

Our kiln dried logs are ‘Ready to burn’ so all you need to do is just ensure they are stored in a cool dry place, either in a log store or garage.

Firewood for an Open Fire/Chimenea and firepit

When burning firewood logs on an open appliance, it’s impossible to control the air flow. Because of this, very dry firewood can sometimes burn too quickly BUT you still want to get good heat output and avoid sooting up chimneys etc.

The best solution for this is to burn kiln dried logs that are ‘chunkier’ in diameter so that there’s more log to burn through and the moisture content in the centre of the log is naturally a bit higher.

Never be tempted to go for wet firewood – Yes, they will burn slower, but you won’t get the heat output and you will actually end up using up to twice as much firewood to generate the same heat AND you will get the soot and tar build up in your chimney.

Seasoned logs

When anyone refers to ‘seasoned logs’ the moisture content will vary considerably, particularly at different times of the year. We ONLY recommend buying ‘seasoned’ logs if you are going to store the firewood for a further 6 months at least. This is fine as when you have sufficient space and can ensure the logs are stored under cover and with plenty or airflow through the stack. Our logs stores provide the perfect environment for storage.

Log Size

Nearly all our logs are cut to a length of 25cm (+/- 10%) and after consulting with the majority of UK stove manufacturers we know these will fit 99.9% of UK stoves.
The diameter of our standard logs are 5-15cm measured at the widest point of the log. This provides smaller logs to build a good base to the fire and larger ones for a longer burn.

We also provide logs with a length of 35cm and 50cm for larger fires or stoves. As they are longer logs, they are also slightly bigger diameter than the 25cm logs.

Pack Sizes

The large 1.6m3 bulk bag is the most cost effective purchase although you can buy the 1.2m3 bulk bag. If you do not wish to have firewood delivered in a large bulk bag, you can have small bags either 80 bags on a pallet, or 50 bags on a pallet. Some people find these easier to manage and handle. It’s really down to personal preference as to which suits best.
When buying in bulk, you can purchase a large or small bulk bag of loose logs or, for convenience of movement, little bags on a pallet of 50 or 80. Of all the products, the large bulk bag is the most cost effective.

Volumes

Bulk bags are ‘loose-filled’ i.e. dropped into the bag from a conveyor. The logs are therefore not stacked in the bag. We know that the volume is correct as we check the volume in a metal cage measuring 1m x 1m x 1.2m or 1.6m tall. Fill these to the top and we confirm the volume is correct.
The little bags have the logs packed by hand so actually they are termed as ‘stacked’ volume and each bag contains 0.02m3. I know that makes it confusing, but it’s a HETAS requirement to declare volumes. However to simplify things the following table converts everything into a ‘loose-fill’ equivalent.
Firstly, the 1.2m3 bulk bag holds approx. 36 small bags and the 1.6m3 48 small bags, so the bulk packs convert as follows:

1.6m3 bulk bag = 1.6m3
1.2m3 bulk bag = 1.2m3
80 bag pallet = 2.67m3
50 bag pallet = 1.67m3

Firewood Storage

Always store the firewood under cover and in a well ventilated area. We always recommend that the bulk bags are decanted, however if you are lucky enough to be able to get the bag direct into your garage, then it will be fine left in the bag. If outside, you should really cover the bag as if water gets in, then the logs may end up going mouldy as there will not be enough airflow. Don’t forget the bulk bags are only showerproof and NOT waterproof. The small bags do have little breathing holes, so are also not waterproof. Again, best stored under cover.

How much firewood do I need?

Always a tricky one as it depends on your type of appliance, its efficiency, the house insulation etc. However as a guide a single stove is likely to require 3 - 4m3 each season. You will also need kindling – approx. 8 sticks per fire lighting and just ONE of our Flamers Natural Firelighters per fire.

Chimney Cleaning

Even though you are going to be using high quality fuel which provides a clean burn, you should still ensure your flue or chimney is swept a minimum of once a year and we recommend you use an approved chimney sweep.

Visit:
http://nacs.org.uk/
http://www.guildofmasterchimneysweeps.co.uk/index.php

Moisture Content

There are ways of telling how dry the wood is such as knocking 2 logs together and getting nice hollow sound, rather than a dull thud, or observing how many cracks are appearing in the log end. Well cracked will normally suggest, well dried.
However, the really best way to check the moisture content is by using a moisture meter. This will give you a pretty good guide as the actual reading of the firewood, both inside and out. Check inside by splitting a log open. Just be aware however that moisture meters are not always 100% accurate, particularly the very cheap ones.