🔥 Not All Hardwoods Are the Same: Choosing the Best Firewood for Your Home
If you’ve ever shopped for firewood in Aberdeenshire, you’ve probably noticed the word “hardwood” popping up everywhere. It’s often advertised as the best choice for log burners and stoves — and that’s absolutely true!
But here’s the thing most people don’t realise: not all hardwoods are the same. Some burn hotter, some last longer, and others are brilliant for getting the fire going quickly. So before you order your next load, here’s what you need to know.
🌳 What Does “Hardwood” Actually Mean?
“Hardwood” simply refers to wood from deciduous trees — trees that lose their leaves each year, like oak, ash, and birch. These woods are generally denser than softwoods (like pine or spruce), which means they burn longer and give off more heat.
However, each hardwood species has its own personality. Some are ideal for long winter nights, others for a quick burst of warmth.
🔍 Comparing Different Types of Hardwood Logs
Here’s a quick look at how the most popular hardwoods stack up when it comes to burning:
|
Type of Wood |
Burn Speed |
Heat Output |
Best For |
|
Oak |
Slow |
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 |
Slow, steady burn but can be hard to get going. Best placed on an established bed of glowing embers |
|
Ash |
Medium |
🔥🔥🔥🔥 |
Reliable and burns well with a high heat output. Easy to light. A very popular species that's a good all-rounder |
|
Birch |
Fast |
🔥🔥🔥 |
Easy to light and great for quick heat or kindling. |
|
Beech |
Slow |
🔥🔥🔥🔥 |
Dense and long-lasting, but needs to be well-seasoned. |
|
Sycamore |
Medium-fast |
🔥🔥 |
Easy to split and handle, burns cleanly. |
So while all of these are hardwoods, the burn quality and heat output can vary a lot. For example, birch gives off a lovely bright flame and smells amazing — but you’ll go through it quicker than ash or oak.
đź’§ Why Moisture Content Matters
Even the best hardwood won’t perform well if it’s damp. Wet wood wastes energy burning off moisture instead of giving you heat — plus, it can cause smoke and tar build-up in your chimney.
That’s why at Aberdeenshire Logs, all our kiln-dried firewood is carefully dried to well below 20% moisture content (only 9% at the last audit!). This means:
- Hotter, cleaner burns
- Less smoke and soot
- Easier lighting
- Better efficiency for your stove or fireplace
Simply put: you get more heat for your money and a cosier home.
🔥 Why Choose Aberdeenshire Logs?
When you order from Aberdeenshire Logs, you’re not just getting great firewood — you’re supporting a local Aberdeenshire business that truly cares about quality.
Here’s why our customers keep coming back:
- FREE delivery
- Logs wheeled to your log store, garage etc. (not dumped on your drive to get wet)
- Sustainable hardwood logs from properly managed forests
- Consistent quality and moisture levels (9% moisture content at the last audit! Did we mention that?…)
- Reliable delivery across Aberdeenshire and the North East
- Friendly, knowledgeable service
Whether you need kiln-dried hardwood logs or advice on what’s best for your burner, we’re here to help.
Ready to Stock Up?
Don’t settle for just any hardwood — choose 100% ash. A reliable all-rounder and not mixed with inferior, quick burning species
Order your next load of premium kiln-dried logs in Aberdeenshire from Aberdeenshire Logs today and experience the difference quality hardwood makes.
👉 Visit our website to place your order online.
