For those new to the idea of wood burning, it can be easy to initially overlook the many benefits of using alternative methods of heating such as wood stoves or log burners. These are powered by kiln dried firewood which generates fantastic heat output and can be very efficient — particularly when paired with modern eco-design stoves.
Aside from the obvious benefits that wood fuel brings to the table such as affordability and great heating capability, there are other hidden benefits that you may be surprised to learn about. Let’s dive into learning about wood fuel and discovering its hidden benefits.
A stock of wood fuel ready for use
Before we explore the hidden benefits of wood fuel, let’s first cover some of the basics that everyone should know.
What is wood fuel?
Wood fuel is a fuel source that can be used for heating or cooking. The term encompasses materials such as firewood, charcoal, briquettes, wood chips or even sawdust. There are many variations of wood fuels, briquettes for example are made from applying 10,000psi of pressure to wood chips and sawdust to make a very efficient and affordable fuel source.
Watch our YouTube video - The Hidden Benefits of Wood Fuel
Briquettes
Briquettes are popular due to the affordability they offer. This type of wood fuel frequently contains additives to aid the ignition process which may limit the usage case for some. Briquettes tend to have a steady burning temperature with good longevity resulting in them being a go-to option for heating.
Kiln dried wood
Kiln dried wood is known as a versatile premium all-rounder making it suitable for both cooking and generating great heat output. Our customers regularly choose “Ready to Burn” kiln dried logs for these reasons, in addition to the fact we provide them in a variety of wood types. We also offer firewood in either bags, nets, or crates through our website.
Wood fuel for home heating
The best wood fuel for heating
Kiln dried and seasoned wood are very popular options for those looking to heat their home. There are many different types of kiln dried wood. Oak is a popular option and is great for generating more heat. It is worth mentioning that all our firewood has a moisture content below 20% so you never have to worry about wet wood burning.
As mentioned previously, briquettes are a good affordable option for generating high heat levels with the convenience of being easy to light.
You may be surprised to learn that each type of kiln dried wood that we sell has its own characteristics such as unique aromas, spark level, and longevity.
Kiln dried wood is commonly used for wood fuel heating in wood burners, fireplaces and outdoor chimineas.
The best wood fuel for cooking
It is important that the wood you choose for cooking has been dried correctly and is also free from any harmful chemicals. This is why using virgin timber is a safe option as the wood hasn’t been coated with anything prior to use.
To state the obvious, the best wood fuel to choose for cooking depends on what exactly you are cooking. For BBQs, Alder is a popular option due to its mild, sweet, and smoky aroma.
Are you wondering which wood type suits your needs best? Let's explore the unique characteristics of the different types of wood fuel that we provide.
| Wood type | Cooking characteristics | Heat output | Other heat attributes | Aroma |
| Alder | Mild, sweet, and smoky aroma - great for BBQs | Good | Quick burning, can be used for kindling | Sweet and Smoky |
| Ash | Mild flavour, good for grilling and smoking. Minimal smoke | Excellent | Slow burning | Neutral |
| Beech | Sweet aroma, good for smoking and slow cooking | Good | Slow burning | Sweet |
| Birch | Sweet aroma, suitable for quick cooking | Moderate | Quick burning, ideal for kindling | Sweet |
| Hornbeam | Intense heat, good for grilling | High | Slow burning, like oak | Earthy |
| Oak | Mild aroma, steady burn, low smoke. Suitable for open fire cooking | Excellent | Slow burning, ideal for long-lasting open fires | Mild |
Toasting marshmallows on an open fire
If cooking over an open fire, we suggest oak as a good starting point due to its mild aroma, steady burn, and low smoke.
There isn’t really a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to wood fuel. It really depends on what you are looking to use your fuel for, and what your preference is. For example, many people like the aroma generated by certain types of wood while others will find that to be a disadvantage and something they would want to avoid.
Why buy from Cozilogs?
There are many benefits to buying wood fuels for cooking or heating through Cozilogs, here are just a few:
- Accredited - certified “Ready to Burn” by Woodsure
- Low moisture content - means easy ignition and reduced environmental impact
- Pest and mould-free – resistant to bugs, pests, and mould
- UK-sourced - grown in Britain, sourced from responsibly managed woodland
- Virgin timber - free from harmful chemicals
Despite all these amazing features associated with the previously described wood types, there are still many benefits that many people may overlook. Let’s take some time to dive into the hidden benefits that come because of using kiln dried wood, and wood burners/stoves.
Besides the benefits that we’ve already covered, there are some other benefits that you may not have thought about when it comes to using kiln dried or seasoned wood fuel.
1) Steps towards carbon neutral
Buying from Cozilogs means you’re using sustainable firewood that is sourced via responsibly managed British woodland.
2) Reduced environmental impact of kiln dried wood
Using kiln dried firewood with a low moisture content paired with an eco-design stove produces significantly less PM2.5 emissions into the air. Although it is a nuanced topic, you can still think of burning kiln dried wood for heating as potentially reducing your carbon footprint when compared to burning gas or coal.
3) Cost-effective, affordable wood fuel heating
We’ve all felt the pinch due to the cost of living crisis, particularly when it comes to gas and electricity pricing. Using wood fuel can save you money when using the correct type of wood with modern eco-design stoves.
4) Mental health benefits
One benefit of using wood fuel is the mental health benefits. These benefits are twofold, providing ambient therapy like ASMR, and the visual trance-inducing dance of the flames paired with the comforting heat generated.
Relaxing in front of a fire has been proven to reduce blood pressure which has its own set of benefits.
5) Making your house a home
Having a wood burner or any type of fireplace is a great way to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Not only does it provide an aesthetic focal point, but having a fireplace brings people together consequently improving relationships and strengthening bonds with loved ones.
6) Supporting a local business
And finally, you get to support a local business. Cozilogs is based in Upton Snodsbury, near Worcester. We’re not just a business - we're a family passionate about delivering premium firewood and logs to customers across the UK. Our commitment is unwavering — we strive to offer the pinnacle of quality, value, and customer service.
Your purchase allows us to keep doing what we love doing - providing families and businesses across the UK with premium sustainably sourced firewood.
Conclusion
It can initially be surprising that different types of kiln dried wood have so many hidden characteristics such as the aroma, smoke level and amount of spark generated from wood burning. In addition to this, it can also come as a surprise when learning how many benefits there are of using wood fuel heating, or wood fuel for cooking.
If you are new to using wood fuels, we’d suggest “Ready to Burn” oak as a good starting point as it is versatile and a suitable all-rounder for most situations. As with most things, experimenting around while doing your own research is essential to finding the right firewood for your needs.
We hope we’ve opened your eyes to the benefits gained by using wood fuel in your home or place of work.
Did you discover any lesser-known benefits that we haven’t covered? Let us know in the comments section below, or on social media! You can find us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube and always enjoy answering any questions you may have regarding all things wood fuel.
Contacting Cozilogs
Well, we have reached the end of our article “What is wood fuel?” We hope you now better understand the many benefits of wood fuel heating in your home.
To discuss our “Ready to Burn” wood fuels range in further detail, call us today at (01905) 954 736. You can also send us an email us via our contact us page, this can be sent through our contact form.
Music Licence ID - ASLC-2AA1F98C-53DE40F451 – Joel Loopez.