Best Firewood to Burn: A UK Buyer's Guide

The best firewood to burn is a well-dried hardwood — oak, ash, beech and birch are the UK favourites. Dense hardwoods give you more heat per log and a longer burn than softwoods, and as long as the moisture is 20% or less, they light cleanly and burn hot. If you want the short answer: ash and oak are hard to beat, with birch brilliant for getting a fire going.

But the "best" log really depends on what you want from your fire — a quick, cheerful blaze or a slow, all-evening burn. Here's how the main woods compare so you can choose with confidence.

What makes good firewood?

• Low moisture. This matters more than the species. Wet wood is hard to light, smokes, and wastes heat. Aim for 20% or less — which is exactly why our kiln dried logs come ready to burn, no seasoning wait required.
• Density. Denser woods pack more energy, so they burn longer and hotter. That's the big advantage hardwoods have over softwoods.
• How it burns. Some woods light easily and crackle away; others are slow starters that reward you with a long, steady heat. The trick is often to mix them.

The main firewoods compared

Ash — the all-rounder

Widely regarded as one of the best firewoods in the UK. It lights readily, burns with a steady flame and gives excellent heat. If you want one wood that just works, ash logs are a superb choice.

Oak — the long burner

Very dense, so it burns slowly and steadily with lasting heat — ideal for keeping a room warm all evening. Oak is a slow starter, so it's best added once your fire is established. Take a look at our oak logs.

Birch — the fire-starter

Lights easily and burns with a bright, lively flame and a lovely scent. It doesn't last as long as oak, which makes birch logs perfect for getting going — or for mixing with a slower wood.

Beech & hornbeam — great heat

Dense woods that burn hot with a steady flame once properly dried. Our beech and hornbeam logs are a strong pick if heat output is your priority.

Can't decide? Go mixed

If you'd rather not choose, a mixed hardwood gives you the best of both worlds — easy-lighting woods to get going and denser logs to keep the heat coming. It's the easiest, best-value way to keep your basket stocked.

Ready to stock up?

Whatever you choose, start with wood that's genuinely dry. Browse all of our kiln dried logs — every log arrives ready to burn, so you get a clean, hot fire from the very first light.