Which wood is best for a wood burning stove – and how to store it?
July 15, 2021
There’s more to wood burner life than wood. You can also burn something called firelogs, perfect for both kindling and fuel, a simple alternative to traditional firewood with some extra benefits.
Firelogs are made from wood products, but they’re not logs as such and have nothing to do with trees. They’re made from compressed wood shavings and chips squashed in various ways to form log-like chunks. Many come in their own individual packages. You light the package, which then lights the log itself, and off you go.
What are firelogs made of?
The most popular firelogs are usually made from sawdust and wax. It used to be petroleum wax but because that’s very unfriendly to the environment, these days they usually contain vegetable wax. The sawdust itself comes from industrial processes, a waste product that might have been thrown away before someone had the bright idea of making it into logs.
Some firelogs are made of 100% sawdust with no wax, a bit more challenging to light because they’re more like a chunk of wood from a tree, but just as good once they get going.
Others are made from coffee grinds, another waste product that would otherwise be thrown away. They work just like firelogs, made using artificially dried coffee grounds low enough in water to burn beautifully. Some say they burn 20% hotter and longer than kiln dried firewood, with an average moisture level of just 10% or so. Some say 80% fewer emissions are generated by burning used coffee grounds than sending them to landfill. Others say they also burn for longer than kiln dried logs while shoving out the same amount of lovely heat.
It’s an important question… and the answer’s no! Coffee logs do not smell like coffee, which is good to know. That would just be weird!
More essentials about firelogs
Firelogs can be used in open fireplaces and wood burning stoves. They replace the need for kindling and you only burn one log at a time instead of piling them on like you do with firewood. You can use firelogs on their own but never burn them along with firewood, and never add them to an existing traditional wood fire.
One good quality firelog will keep a fire going for a couple of hours on average, maybe three hours or even more if the conditions are optimum. The actual burn time depends on the manufacturer, the burn time mentioned on the packaging, the log size and the airflow in your stove. The temperature you get is no different from burning a real log. Because they have a very low moisture content, unlike trees, they’re built to burn and do it very efficiently.
The better quality the log, the longer and better the burn will be. But if you close the air vent on your wood stove so it’s at the lowest setting, not wide open, it’ll last longer. Try to strike the right balance between too little airflow, where the glass front on the stove starts to go black with soot, and too much airflow which burns your logs away in no time.
Firelogs can be easier to light than wood, burn more efficiently and effectively, burn for longer and leave less mess. But they also cost more than ordinary firewood. Some people keep a supply of both, using firelogs when they have guests and don’t want to me constantly refuelling the fire, and keeping the wood for chilling out when fire-tending is a pleasure rather than a chore.
You could always give them a go, see which you like best out of sawdust only, sawdust and wax, and coffee firelogs. The minimal effort and upkeep might suit you down to the ground, especially if you don’t have a fire every day but just light up your wood burner for special occasions. Then the extra cost doesn’t matter so much.
Make sure you only buy firelogs designed for a wood burner, not just for an open fire. You’ll find the wrong ones very hard to light inside your burner, so check the packaging before buying.
How to use a firelog
You’ll want to light your firelog at both ends, giving you a reliable fire wide enough to warm up the metal of your wood burner front, sides and back. Always follow the maker’s instructions, using a taper, long match or lighter.
Leave the packaging to burn and catch the log itself alight, and keep the door open slightly to help with the airflow. Shut the door when you’re sure it’s lit properly, leaving the stove air vent wide open until everything’s going nicely. Then close the vent and you’re off.
Firelogs are not toxic to burn. Being smokeless and odourless, they make a very clean burn and burn beautifully because that’s what they’re designed to do. They leave very little ash behind, easy to clean up afterwards, and they are less likely to lead to creosote build-up in your flue or chimney compared to wood, simply because the water content is so low.
Because they’re manufactured they never need seasoning or drying, they’re ready to go whenever you are. Which means they make a really good emergency supply just in case you run out of firewood. And there’s no ‘use by’ date. You should store yours in a cool, dry place away from fire or anything that could start or catch fire.
Chimney sweeping logs
Yes, there is such a thing! You can buy chimney sweeping logs that can help remove soot deposits from the inside of your chimney or flue. Some say they’re not worth the money or effort, but see what you think. Most people go for a traditional chimney sweep every couple of years, more often if you use your wood burning stove all the time.
Logs or wood?
Now you know the difference between firelogs and logs cut from trees. Fire logs are more expensive but burn longer, give off the same amount of heat but can only be used on their own, not burned alongside traditional firewood. They’re simple to use, burn easily and leave very little ash, and there’s more or less no smoke. Real wood has to be properly dry to burn well, with a maximum 20% water content. It costs less, a lot less when you’re burning your wood stove all year round or every day through winter.
Basically, a mix of the two will stand you in good stead. Buy a supply of kiln-dried firewood for everyday use, and stash some firelogs safely away for those times when you just want to let the fire do its thing without going out or needing constant refuelling. Then, whatever happens, you won’t be left out in the cold. You’ll always be warm and cosy, safe and snug until your next firewood delivery arrives.
