Oak Firewood: Heat, Burn Time and Buying Tips

Oak is one of the best firewoods for a long, slow, steady burn. It's a dense hardwood, so it holds its heat for hours and is ideal for keeping a room warm all evening. The catch? Oak is a slow starter and takes a long time to season — which is why buying it kiln dried makes life so much easier.

If you love a fire you can light and then forget about for a couple of hours, oak is your wood. Here's how to get the best from it.

Why choose oak?

• Long burn time. Oak's density means each log lasts, so you're not constantly reloading.
• Steady, lasting heat. Rather than a quick flare, oak gives a consistent warmth that's perfect for a cold evening.
• Great for overnight. A couple of oak logs on a good bed of embers will keep things ticking over beautifully.

The one thing to know about oak

Oak is notoriously slow to season — freshly cut oak can take a couple of years to dry properly. Burn it too soon and it's hard to light and disappointing. Our kiln dried oak logs are dried right down for you, so you skip the wait and get that lovely long burn straight away.

How to burn oak at its best

1. Get the fire established first. Because oak is a slow starter, light your fire with kindling and a faster wood, then add oak once you've got a good flame.
2. Don't smother it. Give it air to catch properly before easing the vents back.
3. Pair it up. A little birch or ash to get going, then oak for the long haul, is a classic winning combination.

Try our kiln dried oak

For a fire that lasts, our kiln dried oak logs are ready to burn today. Prefer something that lights a little easier to get going? Our ash logs pair perfectly, or browse the full kiln dried logs range.