Understanding Crates: Our Guide To Choosing The Right Firewood

Understanding Crates: Our Guide To Choosing The Right Firewood

Updated: Nic Snell

When it comes to ordering kiln dried firewood, one of the most common questions we’re asked is: "What’s the difference between your firewood crates and which one should I choose?"

The answer depends on what you’re using the wood for, how often you burn, and your storage space. At Certainly Wood, we offer a range of hardwood species and crate sizes, each with their own pros and cons. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the different species we supply, the crate volumes available and offer a quick comparison to help you choose the best option for your home and heating habits.

Birch & Oak Crate

This blend balances quick ignition with long-lasting heat. Silver birch, a lighter hardwood with a calorific value of 15–17 MJ/kg, provides a bright flame for fast warmth. Oak, one of the densest hardwoods (18–20 MJ/kg), burns slowly to sustain heat. Together, birch starts the fire quickly while oak keeps it going longer, making this crate ideal for regular stove users seeking both convenience and efficiency.

Pros:
  • Balanced performance: Birch offers fast ignition, while oak provides sustained heat.
  • Great for stove users: combines convenience with longer-lasting warmth.
  • Mid-range price:  more cost-effective than ash & oak, but longer-lasting than pure birch.
Cons
  • Varied burn rate: birch burns slightly faster than oak, which may lead to uneven heat output unless managed.
  • Not as long-burning as oak & ash: may require slightly more attention when reloading.

Shop Birch & Oak Crates

Birch Crate

kiln dried birch firewood medium crateSilver birch is a lighter, low-density hardwood known for its bright flame and fast heat output. With a typical calorific value of 15–17 MJ/kg, it ignites quickly and delivers immediate warmth, ideal for those who want a fire that’s easy to light.  While it doesn’t burn as long as denser species like oak, it’s incredibly user-friendly. The Birch crate is also slightly more cost-effective than mixed hardwood options, making it a popular choice for occasional burners.

Pros:
  • Quick ignition: ideal for fast heat-up times, especially in colder weather.
  • Lowest price point: Birch is the most affordable option, making it ideal for occasional burners or those on a budget.
  • Widespread availability: commonly sold in supermarkets and garages, making it a familiar choice for many customers.
Cons
  • Slightly faster burn rate: burns a bit quicker than denser hardwoods, requiring more frequent reloading.

Shop Birch Crates

Ash

Ash is one of the most efficient hardwoods, with a calorific value of around 19 MJ/kg. It ignites quickly and burns with a steady, consistent heat, making it easy to light and reliable for regular use. Its balance of quick ignition and strong heat output makes it a popular choice for both stoves and open fires.

While often priced slightly higher due to its popularity and excellent burning qualities, ash offers excellent fuel efficiency and is well-suited to frequent users who want dependable warmth.

Pros:
  • Premium hardwood combination: ash is highly efficient, with excellent heat output and a steady, reliable burn.
  • Easy to light: ignites more quickly than many other hardwoods, making fire starting simple.
Cons
  • Slightly higher price: reflects its popularity and strong performance.

Shop Ash Crates

Crate Sizes

We offer three crate sizes to match different usage levels and storage needs. All crates contain logs cut to approximately 25 cm, kiln dried to below 20% moisture, and ready for efficient burning.

Read our stacked vs loose firewood blog for more information on firewood volumes.

Medium Crate:
The medium crate is perfect for occasional burners or those with limited storage space. It provides a manageable volume suitable for weekend use or supplementary heating.
  • Internal Dimensions: W115cm, D108cm, H69cm (5% tolerance)
  • Loose Volume (approx): 1.42m3
  • Stacked Volume (approx): 0.85m3

 

 

Large Crate:

Designed for regular users, the large crate offers a solid supply of firewood for most households that heat their homes with wood on a frequent basis.

  • Internal Dimensions: W115cm, D108cm, H111cm (5% tolerance)
  • Loose Volume (approx): 2.29m3
  • Stacked Volume (approx): 1.37m3

 

 

 

 

Extra Large Crate:

The extra-large crate is the most cost-effective option in terms of volume per m3. It suits heavy users or those with multiple wood-burning appliances. Due to its size and weight, delivery requires a large lorry, so access and space need to be considered before ordering.

  • Internal Dimensions: W115cm, D108cm, H149cm (5% tolerance)
  • Loose Volume (approx): 3.08m3
  • Stacked Volume (approx): 1.84m3

 

Crate Comparison Summary


 Birch & Oak Birch Ash
Type Hardwood Hardwood Hardwood
Heat Output Medium/High Medium High
Burn Speed Medium (thanks to oak) Fast Slow
Ignition Ease Easy (thanks to birch) Easy Easy/Moderate
Suitable for indoor use Yes Yes Yes
Suitable for outdoor use Yes Yes (but will burn quickly) Yes

person unloading a kiln dried ash and birch crate

Whichever species blend or crate size you choose, it’s important to understand how firewood volume is measured, especially when comparing value across suppliers.

For a deeper look at the difference between stacked and loose volumes, and how that affects what you receive, head over to our blog on stacked vs loose firewood volume.  

 

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