Types of wood and storage

Hardwoods for example Oak, Ash, Beech and Birch are denser and as such burn slower which makes these trees ideal for using in a stove that you want to use constantly or cold days. Softwoods for example Spruce, Pine and Fir are softer and as such burn faster so these are ideal for short periods of time and when the weather isn’t as cold. As a general rule use less hardwood in a stove than softwood, a balance between the two is often a good compromise to achieve optimum heat and efficiency from your appliance. Also in order to gain heat efficiency the smallest stove for your requirements should be chosen.

The way in which you store your wood directly affects the way it burns and how your stove operates. Logs should be stored in an area where the air can circulate through the stocks and the logs should be covered to protect them from the rain. It is also worth bringing a few logs into the house a few weeks before you needed to further dry them.

Logs should ideally be less than 10 cm in diameter to aid drying. This also helps with the burning process as wood is a poor conductor of heat. The size of your stove will determine the length of the logs but guidelines on the maximum log size suitable for each stove are featured on each product page and in our brochures.