Bulk Firewood

The most reliable way to light firewood is to start small and build up. Place 2 or 3 firelighters on the floor of your fire grate or stove, then stack kindling on top in a loose criss-cross pattern so air can flow through freely. Light the firelighters from underneath and let the kindling catch and build into a good flame before adding your first logs.

When you add logs, start with smaller pieces and leave a little space between them. Packing logs too tightly starves the fire of air and causes it to smoulder rather than burn cleanly. Once the fire is established and you have a good bed of glowing embers, you can add larger logs and close the stove door to a comfortable level.

Dry wood is everything. Kiln-dried firewood lights faster, burns hotter, and produces far less smoke than wet or freshly cut logs. If your fire is struggling to get going or produces a lot of dark smoke, moisture in the wood is almost always the cause.

The two golden rules for storing firewood are to keep it off the ground and to let air circulate around it. Stack logs on a rack, pallet, or timber frame so they are not sitting directly on soil or concrete, which draws moisture up into the wood. Leave gaps between rows where possible to encourage airflow through the pile.

Cover the top of your stack to protect it from rain and snow, but leave the sides open rather than wrapping it completely. A solid cover with open sides allows wind to dry the wood while keeping the worst of the weather off. Fully enclosed storage traps moisture and can cause logs to deteriorate.

A sheltered spot that gets some sun and wind is ideal. Avoid piling wood directly against house walls, as this can cause damp issues and attract insects. If you have kiln-dried firewood delivered, it will already be at the right moisture level, so the priority is simply keeping it dry until you are ready to use it.

Firewood should have a moisture content of 20% or below to burn efficiently. This is the threshold set by the UK government's Ready to Burn scheme, which certifies wood that meets this standard. Wood above 20% moisture contains too much water, meaning a significant portion of the heat produced is wasted simply evaporating that moisture rather than warming your room.

Wet wood also burns cooler, produces more smoke and harmful particulates, and causes tar to build up in your flue over time, which is both a fire hazard and a costly problem to fix. Kiln dried firewood is typically dried to well below 20% moisture, making it the most efficient and cleanest option available. All of the firewood sold by Housefuel is kiln dried and Ready to Burn certified.

If you want to check your wood at home, a moisture meter is a cheap and useful tool. Simply press the probes into a freshly split face of the log for the most accurate reading.

For splitting logs by hand, a splitting axe or maul is the right tool. A splitting axe has a wedge-shaped head designed to drive through the grain of the wood rather than cut across it, and a longer handle for more leverage. Stand the log upright on a solid chopping block, ideally a large flat-faced log or a purpose-made block, and aim for the outer edge of the log rather than the centre. Cracks or splits in the end grain are natural weak points and good places to aim for.

Swing through the log rather than at it, and let the weight of the axe do the work. For larger rounds, work around the outside first rather than trying to split straight through the middle in one go. Hardwoods like oak and ash can be tougher to split than softwoods, and frozen or very dry wood splits more easily than freshly cut green wood.

For larger quantities, a hydraulic log splitter is a much faster and less physically demanding option and can be hired from most tool hire companies.

Freshly cut or green wood needs to be seasoned before it is ready to burn. The process is straightforward but takes time. Split logs dry significantly faster than whole rounds, as splitting exposes more surface area for moisture to escape. Stack the wood in a single layer if possible, off the ground, with good airflow around and through the pile. A sunny, breezy spot speeds things up considerably.

Hardwoods like oak typically need at least two years to season properly. Softwoods like pine can be ready in as little as one year. Even then, moisture content varies, and it is worth checking with a moisture meter before burning.

If you want wood that is ready to burn straight away without waiting, kiln dried firewood is the answer. The kiln drying process removes moisture quickly and consistently, bringing logs down to below 20% moisture in days rather than years. Our kiln dried firewood is delivered ready to use from the moment it arrives.

Wood ash is a useful byproduct, and there are several good ways to put it to use rather than simply throwing it away. In the garden, wood ash is a source of potassium and calcium and can be spread thinly on soil or added to a compost heap. It is particularly beneficial around fruit trees and vegetable beds. Avoid using it on acid-loving plants like blueberries or rhododendrons, as ash raises soil pH.

Wood ash can also be used as a gentle abrasive cleaner on glass and metal surfaces, and some people use it to improve traction on icy paths in winter.

When removing ash from your stove or fireplace, always wait until it has fully cooled, which can take longer than you might expect. Transfer it to a metal container with a lid rather than a plastic bag or cardboard box, as residual heat can persist for hours and cause a fire. A thin layer of ash left in the base of an open fire actually helps the next fire to get going, so you do not need to remove every trace each time.

Yes, and it can produce excellent results. Firewood can burn down to a long-lasting, high-heat ember that is ideal for grilling. Many people prefer cooking over wood rather than charcoal for the flavour it adds, and certain woods are particularly prized for this.

The key is to burn the wood down to glowing embers before you start cooking rather than grilling over an open flame, which gives uneven heat and can leave a bitter, sooty taste on food. Kiln dried hardwood is the best choice for BBQ use as it burns cleanly and consistently.