How many logs per hour for a wood burner?
The number of logs you’ll burn per hour depends on several factors — including the size and efficiency of your stove, the type of wood you’re using, and how hot you want the room to be. On average, a medium-sized wood burner will use around 2 to 3 kiln dried hardwood logs per hour.
Because we only sell kiln dried hardwood logs, such as oak, ash or birch, each log burns slowly and produces more heat compared to softwood. In an efficient, modern stove, one large hardwood log can burn for around 1.5 to 2 hours, meaning you’ll need fewer logs to maintain a steady temperature.
If your stove is smaller, or you’re burning softer wood, you may find you need to refuel more often — perhaps every 30 to 45 minutes. Open fires typically use more fuel too, as much of the heat escapes up the chimney.
As a guide:
- Small stove (3–5 kW): 1–2 logs per hour
- Medium stove (5–8 kW): 2–3 logs per hour
- Large stove (8 kW+): 3–4 logs per hour
To get the most from your firewood, always use kiln dried logs with less than 18% moisture content, and don’t overfill your stove — steady, efficient burns give you the best heat and value for money.
