Is it better to burn hardwood or softwood?
In most cases, hardwood is the better choice for burning — especially in wood burners, multi-fuel stoves and open fires. However, both hardwood and softwood have their place, and the best option depends on what you want from your fire.
Why hardwood is better for most people
- Longer burn time Hardwood trees (like ash, oak and birch) grow slowly and have a much denser structure. This means each log burns longer and hotter, giving you more heat per piece of wood.
- More heat output Because hardwood is dense, it contains more energy. You’ll feel this instantly as a stronger, more consistent heat.
- Less refuelling One hardwood log might burn for 1.5–2 hours, whereas a softwood log may last 30–45 minutes. Hardwood makes life easier and reduces log usage.
- Cleaner burn Kiln dried hardwood produces minimal smoke and soot, keeping your stove glass and flue cleaner for longer.
When softwood can be useful
Softwood (such as spruce, pine and larch) burns quickly and ignites easily. That makes it useful for:
- Lighting fires (excellent kindling substitute)
- Short, fast heat
- Outdoor fire pits where longevity isn’t important
However, because softwood burns faster and contains more resin, it can create more smoke and soot — and you’ll go through logs much faster.
The best choice overall
For efficient home heating, kiln dried hardwood logs are the clear winner. They burn hotter, last longer and are far more economical in the long run. Softwood has its uses, but it simply can’t match the heat output and burn time of hardwood.
For the best results, always choose kiln dried hardwoods, the cleanest, hottest and most reliable firewood available. We sell different varities of hardwood logs including:
