Firewood Buying Guide & Advice

Choosing the right species

Not all wood species are equal for heating. Choose hardwoods for slow combustion and high calorific value.

forest

1

G1 - Hardwoods

Oak, Beech, Ash, Hornbeam

The ultimate choice for industrial yield. These dense species offer a very high calorific value and slow combustion, guaranteeing continuous heat with fewer reloads. Ideal for bakeries, pizzerias, and professional boiler rooms.

Calorific value Excellent

park

2

G2 - Softer Hardwoods

Chestnut, Acacia, Wild Cherry

Good calorific value but faster combustion. Easy to split and ignite. Note: chestnut tends to crackle and throw sparks, it strictly requires a closed fireplace. Very useful for quickly boosting temperature.

Calorific value Good

nature

3

G3 - Softwoods & Other

Fir, Pine, Spruce, Birch

Very fast temperature rise. Ideal for lighting a fire or for ovens requiring a rapid heat-up. However, their resin tends to quickly clog the flues. Use sparingly or well mixed.

Calorific value Medium

The importance of moisture content

Dry wood (H1) releases more heat, clogs your flue less, and pollutes less. Discover the efficiency difference based on drying method.

water_drop

Dry Wood (H1) < 20% moisture

Ready to use. Offers the best energy yield. Natural drying over 18 to 24 months or kiln-dried.

water_drop

Semi-dry Wood (H2) 20% to 35%

Needs to be stored in a dry, ventilated place for 6 to 12 months before use. More economical to purchase.

water_drop

Green Wood (H3) > 35%

Freshly cut wood. Not usable as is. Requires at least 2 years of storage before it can be burned.

Compared Energy Yield

Dry (<20%)

~4 kWh/kg

Semi-dry (30%)

~2.8 kWh/kg

Green (50%)

~1.8 kWh/kg

Burning wet wood wastes energy evaporating water before producing usable heat.

Choosing the right length

Log length should match the size of your firebox. Measure the inside of your appliance and subtract 5cm for safety.

25cm

25 cm

Small wood stoves, cookers. Very fast drying.

33cm

33 cm

Standard for most modern stoves and inserts.

40cm

40 cm

Intermediate size for medium inserts.

50cm

50 cm

Large inserts, traditional open fireplaces.

Golden rules of storage

Good wood can lose all its qualities if poorly stored. Protect your investment by following these simple rules.

air

Ventilation

check_circle Do not stack the woodpile directly against a wall (leave ~10cm).
check_circle Cross the logs at the ends to stabilize and ventilate the stack.
check_circle Choose a spot exposed to prevailing winds and sunlight.

shield

Protection

check_circle Insulate from the ground using pallets or battens.
check_circle Cover only the top with sheet metal or a tarp (leave the sides open).
cancel Avoid storing in a closed cellar (risk of mould).

The complete guide to choosing your firewood.

Choosing the right species

G1 - Hardwoods

G2 - Softer Hardwoods

G3 - Softwoods & Other

The importance of moisture content

Dry Wood (H1) < 20% moisture

Semi-dry Wood (H2) 20% to 35%

Green Wood (H3) > 35%

Compared Energy Yield

Choosing the right length

25 cm

33 cm

40 cm

50 cm

Golden rules of storage

Ventilation

Protection