Which Type Of Firewood Is Right For You?

At Fitzpatrick Fuels, we supply a broad range of firewood. We currently stock kiln-dried Birch, Oak, Hornbeam and mixed Ash & Beech.

Typically, most people tend to opt for either Ash or Birch firewood, but with all these new species options available, which firewood is the best for your household?

All of our firewood comes from very reputable suppliers, who source the firewood responsibly and from a sustainable source. On top of this, all our firewood is kiln-dried to a moisture content of below 20%. So generally speaking, all our firewood offers a good burning experience. However, the different firewood species offer slightly different burning characteristics. To offer more insight, we have detailed the different species and how they burn below:

Kiln Dried Ash Firewood:

Ash firewood has been a popular seller for us for the last 5 years. Ash tends to be the most well-known firewood in the UK for a longer burn duration and is often recommended by stove manufacturers and suppliers. Ash is classified as a hardwood log, and has a longer burn duration than Birch and Alder firewood. It gives off a nice big flame, and a good heat output.

In recent years, we have upgraded our Ash supply to be a mix of Ash & Beech. Beech is a dense, slow-burning hardwood. So when mixed, ash helps beech ignite faster, while beech keeps the heat lasting longer.

That means fewer refuels, steady warmth, and an easy-to-manage fire — perfect for daily stove use or long winter evenings

How does ash & beech burn:

Offers a longer burn duration than birch & alder
Good flame
Steady heat output

Kiln Dried Birch Firewood:

Birch firewood is used for different purposes, from heating your home to using in pizza ovens and for outdoor heating appliances.

Birch, a hardwood firewood (although softer than its peers in this category), offers a good, hot heat. The heat output that this firewood offers is why it is so popular for the use of pizza ovens; it lights quickly and gets to temperature quickly.

Kiln-dried birch firewood also tends to smoke less when ignited than other types of firewood. This aspect makes it a particularly good option for fire pits, chimeneas, or camping weekends.

Birch logs are a great option for those who only want to light the fire for a couple of hours on an evening. Birch firewood is also a great fuel to mix with denser fuels. If you struggle to get the fire going when using smokeless coals or dense firewood (like Oak & Hornbeam), starting the fire with birch logs offers a nice big flame, allowing the denser fuels to ignite more easily.

How does birch burn:

Lights easily
Has a very high heat output
Nice, roaring flame to look at

Kiln Dried Hornbeam Firewood:

Hornbeam is one of our newer firewood offerings. As a firewood, Hornbeam is not as widely known as other species. That being said, Hornbeam is not a firewood to be dismissed. This type of wood is a very hard and dense type of firewood.

Harder woods can be difficult to work with if they have not been dried properly. However, with a moisture content of below 20%, you can expect a pleasant burn.

Due to the density of Hornbeam, it will burn for longer than Ash, Birch, and Alder logs. If you find that you are refuelling your heating appliance too often, this type of firewood would be a great option to try.

Hornbeam firewood offers a slow burn, with a very high heat output. Birch or alder logs would complement this firewood if you struggle to get it started.

How does hornbeam burn:

Offers a very slow burn with a high heat output
Needs refuelling much less often than other firewood’s
Pleasant to look at, has a nice flame for an authentic burn

Kiln Dried Oak Firewood:

Both Oak & Hornbeam firewood offer very similar burning characteristics, which is due to the density of the firewood. Oak produces a flame initially and then reduces to a small flame/glow. This firewood will burn for longer than ash, birch and alder, and for those who know how to use it properly, is a very popular and sought-after firewood.

How does oak burn:

Burns slowly and for a long time
Gives off a small flame
Produces a long-lasting heat, even emitting heat when just the embers remain.

Available Quantities:

At Fitzpatrick Fuels, we offer various sizes when it comes to our kiln-dried firewood, from small nets to all the way up to 1.5m3 crates. We offer a crane-off delivery service throughout the Huddersfield area, which means that (access permitting), we can crane your logs onto your driveway, into your garden over the fence, and leave them where it is convenient for you to handle - we do not tip out logs onto the driveway.

We also don't drop your order on the curb if we can make it easier for you.

To browse our full range of fuels, click here.

Need Advice or Help?

If you’re unsure which wood works best for your stove or fire type, call us on 01484 653 768, or drop in and chat at either of our locations:

Milnsbridge: The Old Railway Goods Yard, Scar Lane, HD3 4PE
Honley: 12 New Mill Road, HD9 6PL

Fitzpatrick Fuels — Family-run. Local service. Quality fuels, delivered the right way.