Many people have a wood-fired stove in their homes now but struggle more to understand what the best fuel for wood burning stoves to use. When you consider what these stoves offer, this is easy to understand. Multi fuel stoves are a cost-effective way to heat your property and stay warm. They also look very stylish and give any home a blast of instant charm. These stoves are also very relaxing to be around due to the flickering light and good heat output they provide.
Editor’s Note 27th October 2023 - This article was originally published in September 2021.
Today’s update includes a new section “Are these 5 fuels suitable for use as fuel for log burners?” and various other enhancements.
Choosing the best fuel for wood burning stoves
There is nothing better than snuggling up in front of one after a long hard day! A multi fuel stove will also come in a range of designs, and this makes it easy to find one that fits your existing decor. Many people will also use their multi fuel stove for cooking tasty treats like baked potatoes.
When you add all this together, it is clear why these stoves are so well-loved. Of course, to get the most from yours, you need the right fuel to burn on it. This factor is even more critical when considering the current rules around what fuel you can legally burn on a multi fuel stove (such as burning unseasoned wood). But what is the best fuel for wood burning stoves, we consider five below:
1) Kiln dried oak logs
From little acorns, mighty oaks grow - and from kiln-dried oak logs, roaring fires begin! These seasoned logs are certainly one of the top choices in terms of fuel for wood-fired stoves. But why is this? For starters, oak is widely known as a wood that burns well and produces plenty of heat output over long periods.
From heating your home with a wood burner to using it for cooking, this means it is an excellent wood to use. Kiln dried oak logs come with a premium moisture level due to the drying process. This element not only makes them better for the environment but also able to burn more consistently. If you buy from Cozilogs, our oak logs are BSL/FSC certified and made from the best quality timber.
2) Briquettes
Another great fuel for any wood burning stove is briquettes. Although you might generally associate them more with BBQ's, they are fine to use in wood-fired stoves as well. Wood Briquettes are great value for money, simple to use and burn efficiently too. Briquettes come from compressing by-products of wood into tightly packed brick shapes, making them easier to transport and store.
This composition gives them more robust stability when burning and keeps the temperature they burn constant. This quality, in turn, means they usually burn for longer than some other types of fuel. In addition, wood briquettes are also simple to handle when building your fire and don't take up much room in terms of storage.
3) Kiln dried birch logs
As with oak, birch logs make great fuel for wood-fired stoves when kiln-dried. At Cozilogs, our kiln dried birch has a low moisture content of less than 20%. This factor enables them to burn cleanly, and evenly and produce fewer emissions. They are dried in a kiln at our carbon-neutral facility to make them even kinder to the planet!
Hassle-free to use, they are an efficient wood fuel for heating any home. Our logs are also certified as 'Ready to Burn' by Woodsure. This authentication means you can start using them as soon as they are delivered. The high-quality timber these logs are produced from means they burn very easily, and this makes it simple to get a roaring fire going in your wood burner. Of course, birch has an attractive aroma to recommend it too, which is also a significant reason for its popularity.
A birch tree with birch logs alongside
4) Kiln dried ash logs
Wood-fired stoves come in handy all year round but especially in Autumn or Winter. When the nights draw in, and temperatures drop, they give a cosy way to stay warm. They can also cost a lot less than putting the central heating on! Ash is another popular wood you could use as kiln dried wood fuel and has a fairly neutral aroma. Therefore, this is a good choice if you do not like wood, which gives off a strong smell when burnt.
Hardwood ash burns well and does not throw off many sparks whilst also producing good amounts of heat output. As with our other seasoned wood logs, we ensure we treat the ash we sell at our carbon-neutral drying facility. This process makes it an excellent option for staying warm while also looking after the environment. All our ash logs for wood burning come from a sustainable source and have a firewood moisture content of under 20% to reduce emissions. As the ash is a clean-burning wood anyway, it is an eco-friendly fuel for your multi fuel stove and for wood burners.
5) Kiln dried alder logs
Another kiln-dried wood fuel to consider is alder. This wood is similar to oak in many ways but can sometimes be a little less expensive. Alder has an alluring, slightly sweet smell which is popular with many homeowners. It also burns a little quicker than other woods. This property can be handy if you do not want to keep your wood burner going all night or only want a fire for a short amount of time.
Slightly softer than oak, alder still burns nicely and gives off a good amount of heat. As a softer wood, alder also has a bright, lively flame and is easily lit. As a kiln-dried fuel, the low moisture content makes it a relatively smokeless fuel and better for the planet. Therefore, this wood has an attractive orange tinge to it and is a visually appealing wood to have stored around the home.
Are these 5 fuels suitable for use as fuel for log burners?
Can a wood burning stove be used with the five different fuels mentioned above? Yes, in fact! The real thing when it comes to igniting your multi fuel stove are these fuels. You should be able to enjoy clean surroundings, good heat output, and effective burning from your ideal multi fuel stove. We advise never using house coal in a multi fuel stoves, as if you burn coal, it burns far too hot.
Below is a summary of their benefits as a top fuel for a log burner (all logs are assumed to be kiln dried):
- Oak logs - like marathon runners in the wood world, these logs produce steady, long-lasting heat. With these nasty guys, you could warm up your house and maybe prepare some delectable delights
- Briquettes – if you do not want to burn wood, here is a related product, and a good alternative to bagged traditional house coal. You might associate them with BBQs, but they're just as awesome for wood burners. They are budget-friendly, easy to use, and keep the fire going strong for longer
- Birch logs - are a clean-burning champion. As they are low on moisture, which means cleaner burns and fewer emissions. Plus, they bring a sweet aroma to your home
- Ash logs - they're like the neutral party of the logs for wood world, burning clean and hot without causing a scent commotion
- Alder logs – again great for a log burner, they might burn a tad faster, but they come with a sweet scent and a lively flame. Plus, they won't break the bank
Pick up your wood burning fuel from Cozilogs
At Cozilogs, we have all of the above fuel sources for your wood burner as well as fuel for wood burning stoves in stock to order today. Whether you have them delivered in nets, bags, or crates, we are sure you will love the heat they produce and the clean burn they deliver as fuel for log burners. If you cannot decide on one alone to use, why not order up a mixed bag of our kiln dried logs? Order online with us at Cozilogs today or get in touch at sales@cozilogs.co.uk for more details.