When it comes to heating your home, there’s nothing that creates a romantic, rustic feel quite like the sound of crackling logs in a wood burner or fireplace. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once famously said: "The domestic man, who loves no music so well as his kitchen clock, and the airs which the logs sing to him as they burn on the hearth, has solaces which others never dreamed of." We’ve all had to find solace within our homes over the past year, and the joys of a simple fire on a cold evening have never been more welcome. And though the days are getting warmer, and there’s some hope in sight for summer, there are still plenty of nights ahead to fire up the wood burner and ease us into spring.
But many people might not realise the versatility of the humble log burner or the right way to stoke their fireplace for the most efficient burn. Perhaps you’ve newly installed a log burner, or you’ve inherited one from an older home, and you’ve never quite known how to use it to its full advantage? Or perhaps you’d like to make a change to the way you use your log burner, but don’t know where to start?
The type of wood you use
One of the main variables that can affect the quality of a log burner’s output is the type of wood you put into it. The finest kiln dried logs, like those in our extensive selection, offer fuel of the highest possible quality, whether it’s for an open fireplace, or an enclosed wood burner. with many added benefits, including a low firewood moisture content, which means a cleaner-burning fire without tarry deposits, and efficient, sustainable heating. But beyond this, many people might not realise that the type of wood they choose could make a big difference – they blissfully switch between burning beech wood and oak logs, none the wiser. Whilst it’s true that either of these fuel sources would still give off a beautiful burn, there are finer subtleties to the choice of wood that might make a big difference depending on what overall effect you’re hoping to achieve. So, read on as we discuss beech vs oak firewood.
Beech or oak logs can vary in everything from the length of the burn to the brightness of the flame and the small but noticeable variations in the scent. Whilst they are both hardwoods that create a stunning effect, which type you choose may depend entirely on your reasons for lighting a fire in the first place. We at CoziLogs want to transform the way you heat your home, so we’ve compiled an advice guide below for how to choose the best types of logs for your log burner, with the pros and considerations for each. This will enable you to choose which is the best wood for burning.
Beech logs for burning
Benefits of burning beech wood:
We are often asked, “Does beech make good firewood?” It certainly does, here are some of the reasons why.Hard-wearing
Naturally high in water content, beech as firewood takes a long time to season, but in this case, good things come to those who wait! Beech is one of the heaviest logs you can source, weighing roughly 710kg per cubic metre, and though this makes it harder to start the fire initially, the extra effort will pay off in the end. Beech logs for burning offer one of the longest burns of any of the woods available. With some logs lasting up to four hours, they’re ideal for long-term heating.Mild scent
The natural scent of properly seasoned beech is nutty, sweet, and mild, and it’s mellow enough that it won’t overpower the room. This makes burning beech wood perfect for indoor fires and not overpowering.Smooth bark
If you store your logs inside your home, perhaps as a decorative feature, Beech as firewood is one of the best options for you, as its smooth, relatively thin bark and low ash content won’t flake and leave a mess on your floors.Affordable
Beech logs are an affordable fuel compared to other types of wood, making them a good choice for budget-conscious households.
Does beech make good firewood - things to consider:
Sparks
Beech sometimes tends to spark, when compared with other varieties. This is not so much a disadvantage if you’re looking for that atmospheric, crackling wood effect – think chestnuts roasting on a frosty evening! It is most suited to lighting fires within an enclosed surround, such as a wood burner or a boiler.Oak logs
Benefits of burning oak logs:
We are also asked, “Does oak make good firewood?” Again, oak has numerous benefits, we list some of the reasons why.Hard-wearing
Next to beech, oak is also one of the heaviest types of logs available, at approximately 700kg per cubic metre. This means that it boasts the same, long-burning advantages as beech, and is sure to keep you warm no matter how frosty it is outside. Taking even longer to season, at a minimum of two years, the logs burn slowly and steadily, so you’ll be spending less time adding fuel to the fire, and more time relaxing in front of it. As they are slow burning, oak logs need to be replenished less often than other types of wood.Sweet summery scent
Oak has a milder scent than other types of wood, such as hickory, with a sweetness that surpasses the nutty aroma of beech. This makes oak best suited to post-Christmas periods, and outdoor, summer fires. Oak brings all the atmosphere of a warm, cosy fire!Less smoke and by-products
Oak logs produce less smoke than other types of wood, reducing the number of pollutants released into the atmosphere. Oak logs create less ash and other by-products, making them easier to clean up.
Things to consider
Placement
While kiln dried oak burns well in all types of log burners, it loves a draught to help it along. Open fireplaces and wood burners which allow for (safe) control of the airflow inside provide the ideal environment for oak logs.Size of stove
Oak logs are perfect for larger stoves. Though oak gives a long, steady burn whatever the size of the burner if you have a smaller model, you might need to chop the wood up into smaller pieces to allow more surface area for the most optimum flame.
Beech or oak – which is best?
While both of these hardwoods are of the highest quality and would suit most types of hearths, they each boast unique features that make them ideal for certain situations.
Beech logs for burning tend to be denser and heavier than oak logs, so they tend to burn more slowly and produce more heat. Oak logs, on the other hand, are generally lighter and have more air pockets, so they burn faster and have a higher BTU rating. In terms of appearance, both beech or oak have similar grain and colour.
For an indoor log burner that heats the whole home or is used mainly over winter – especially Christmas – beech as firewood would be the perfect choice for that welcoming, countryside feels, while winter scenes featuring open fireplaces or larger wood burners, or even long summer evenings seated around a crackling chimenea, would be best fuelled by the finest oak logs. When choosing beech vs oak firewood, both are ideal, it is all about personal preference and individual requirements.
