Struggling to light your fire? Even when using kiln dried logs to fuel your fire there are several things that can stop you from lighting a fire effectively. Read our top tip below to make sure you get your fire lit in no time! 

1. Make Sure Your Logs Are Kiln Dried
If you are unable to burn your logs there's a possibility that the moisture content is above 20%. The moisture prevents the log from burning and can produce nasty black smoke when lit. Burning wet wood means most of the heat generated is used to burn off excess water so the less moisture content the better. 

2. Keep The Logs At Room Temperature
 Logs kept at room temperature will combust far more easier than logs that have been kept in cold outdoor conditions. We suggest keeping a bunch of logs aside to store in your home so that they are ready to be burned at your convenience. 

3. Have Your Chimney Cleaned 
 Your chimney should be swept at least once per year. If your chimney hasn't been swept or cleaned in the last 12 months there may not be enough draw on the fireplace from the chimney to keep the fire going. This can also cause a build up of creosate in the flue which can greatly increase the risk of a chimney fire. 

4. Don't Use Too Many Logs 
 Building a fire too quickly with too many logs can create smoke when there is not enough energy for all of the wood to light. Less is more when it comes to lighting a fire,  just add one or two logs at a time and this will allow the logs to feed of each other as they burn. 

5.  Check If Your Flue Is Cold 
 If your fire goes out shortly after being lit, there's a chance your chimney is suffering from "cold chimney syndrome". This is when too much cool air pushes down into your wood burning stone/chimney it prevents room temperature air from being drawn into the fire.

If this happens you can warm your stove/chimney by rolling up a piece of news paper and lighting it at the one end. Hold the flame inside at the top of your appliance for a short while until you can see that the smoke from the newspaper is rising up into your chimney which indicates it is ready for use. 

We are often asked which type of fire wood our customers should buy, soft wood or hard wood? both types of wood can be used for different purposes and can come down to personal preference or price. 

Firstly,  it is important to know the difference between the two types of wood. Hardwood comes from trees that lose their leaves during winter for e.g. Beech, Oak, Ash etc. These trees are slow growing (80-100 years maturity) which provides a more dense timber. Soft wood tends to grow a lot faster coming from trees such as spruce, pine, larch, Douglas fir and the timber is therefore less dense. 

​Softwood is ideal for building a fire and getting it going quickly. They are fantastic for burning. The important thing when buying softwood is to make sure that they are seasoned and have an average moisture content of 20% or less.

Yes, soft wood burns quicker than hardwood - but do you just need to build a fire or are you needing a long lasting fire? We have many customers that burn softwood and only that. This could be due to the slightly lower price or people just enjoy the novelty of feeding their fire with logs.  Soft wood is often used for kindling and has the advantage of being able to dry a bit quicker. Hardwood logs are best used to keep a fire going due to them being more dense than softwood.  Once your fire has been lit by using softwood you can then use hardwood to keep them burning. 

Hardwood is a much denser, longer lasting fire wood. The only real disadvantage to using hardwood is that it takes longer to season than softwood. Luckily all of our logs are Kiln Dried, once it arrives at your doorstep, you can immediately use it. There’s no need to let it “air dry” for months on end. 

In conclusion, no two types of logs are better than each other and both have their purposes, it's up to you what you think is best for your requirements. 

To order visit our shop here or give our office a phone on 01360 660264 

As soon as temperatures drop, the demand for seasoned logs rises. We always aim to deliver our logs within 1-4 days however, due to the increase in demand and possible adverse weather conditions , delivery times may increase. By ordering now, you can ensure quicker delivery time and have them in preparation for the colder weather. 

When we deliver your logs, either at the front or by the side of your property, you then need to put them away in storage such as a log store, garage or shed. This isn't made any easier if it is dark and freezing cold! It's advisable to get your logs earlier and have them put away in time for winter.

There is no easy way to tell exactly how much logs you need to do you over winter.  You should consider how frequently you are building a fire or if you are using your log fire as a primary source of heat for your home. 

You should also consider how much firewood you go through on a typical day/night. Larger fires typically consume more logs where as small fires don't use as much but produce less heat. 

Logs can be left in the open however, they will benefit from extra protection provided by cover or dedicated storage area.  The most effective storage solution would be a wooden log store, these provide cover and usually feature a raised floor and a slanted roof to help protect the logs.  Alternatively, a tarpaulin cover can be used covering only the top of the stack leaving the sides open for proper ventilation. 

Hardwood is often chosen over soft wood as it  produces more heat when burned, making it an ideal fuel source for winter home heating. Secondly, hardwood burns longer than softwood, which can in turn, save you money. Hardwood also does not produce smoke when burned. For these reasons, it’s recommended that you choose hardwood to heat your home this winter. ​