How to Choose the Best Firewood

Celtic Timber · Firewood Buying Guide

How to Choose the Right Firewood

Choosing between softwood, hardwood and oak offcuts? Our guide explains how the three types compare, which bag size to order and what delivery options are available for your home.

All three firewood options are kiln-dried, with an average moisture content of 15%. The best choice depends on how quickly you want to establish your fire, how long you want it to burn and how often you prefer to refuel.

1. Compare Our Firewood Types

Three distinct options, compared using Celtic Timber's simple 5-point ratings.

Close-up of pale split softwood firewood logs

Softwood Mix

Larch · Douglas fir · Cedar · Hemlock
Avg. moisture content 15%

Lights easily and produces warmth quickly, making it a useful option for starting fires and shorter burning sessions.

Heat performance●●●●● 3/5

Burn longevity●●●●● 3/5

Lighting ease●●●●● 5/5

Best for: Quick lighting and fast warmth.

Close-up of mixed hardwood firewood logs

Hardwood Mix

Oak · Ash · Beech
Avg. moisture content 15%

A versatile everyday choice, balancing straightforward lighting with sustained warmth and a longer burn.

Heat performance●●●●● 4/5

Burn longevity●●●●● 4/5

Lighting ease●●●●● 4/5

Best for: Reliable, sustained warmth and everyday burning.

Oak Offcuts

100% Oak
Avg. moisture content 15%

Our strongest long-burning option once the fire is established, helping maintain warmth with fewer refuels.

Heat performance●●●●● 5/5

Burn longevity●●●●● 5/5

Lighting ease●●●●● 3/5

Best for: Maximum warmth and longer-lasting fires with less frequent refuelling.

Ratings are relative comparisons of our firewood options rather than laboratory heat-output or burn-time measurements. Actual performance depends on log size, appliance, airflow and how the fire is managed.

2. Nationwide Firewood Delivery

Convenient quantities for customers across the UK.

Celtic Timber nationwide delivery options including hardwood and softwood net bags, builders bag and palletised double bag delivery

Small Net Bags

Softwood: approximately 16 kg
Hardwood: approximately 22 kg

Easy to carry and store, ideal for topping up your log supply or occasional use.

Builders' Bags

1 × 0.8 m³ builders' bag
2 × 0.8 m³ builders' bags

A practical option for regular stove users and larger households.

Why the small bags weigh differently: Softwood and hardwood net bags are the same physical size. The softwood bag weighs less because softwood is generally less dense than hardwood.

Delivery availability and any location-based surcharge are confirmed at checkout. Volumes refer to bag capacity rather than a guaranteed number of identical-size logs.

3. Extra Options for Local Delivery

Customers in our local Pembrokeshire delivery area can choose additional bag sizes and loose loads.

Visual comparison of Celtic Timber net bags, handy bag, barrow bag, builders bag and two loose-load quantities for local delivery

Bagged quantities

Handy bag — 0.064 m³
Barrow bag — 0.128 m³
Builders' bag — 0.8 m³
Oak Offcuts — barrow bag or 0.8 m³ builders' bag

Loose-load quantities

Small loose load — 2 m³ (approximately 2.5 builders' bags)
Large loose load — 4 m³ (approximately 5 builders' bags)

Suitable for customers stocking up who have adequate space and access for a tipped delivery.

Local delivery options depend on your postcode and the product selected. The comparison image is a visual guide; contents and the number of logs vary.

4. Weatherproof Builders' Bags

Blue Celtic Timber weatherproof builders bag with covered top

Extra protection for your logs

Our 0.8 m³ builders' bags come with a weatherproof cover to help keep rain off the logs during delivery and temporary outdoor storage.

Weatherproof covers are provided on builders' bags only — not net bags or loose loads.

For longer-term storage, keep firewood raised off the ground, sheltered from rain and well ventilated. A weatherproof cover is not a substitute for suitable dry storage.

5. Quick Buying Tips

Choose your wood

For easy lighting: Softwood Mix.

For balanced everyday warmth: Hardwood Mix.

For established fires and fewer refuels: Oak Offcuts.

Choose your quantity

Occasional burning: a net bag may be enough.

Regular stove use: a 0.8 m³ builders' bag is a practical option.

Local bulk supply: consider 2 m³ or 4 m³ loose loads if you have suitable access and storage.

Remember: All three firewood ranges have an average moisture content of 15%. Store logs dry and well ventilated, and follow your stove or appliance manufacturer's fuel recommendations.

6. Fire Starting Essentials

Complete your firewood order with our wood wool firelighters and kiln-dried kindling — two handy essentials to get your fire going.

Eco-Friendly Wood Wool Firelighters

Pack of 50

A convenient way to light your fire using natural wood wool, without the strong fuel-like smell of some conventional firelighters.

Alternative to traditional firelighters: Wood wool offers an easy-to-use fire-starting option.

Low-odour lighting: Helps avoid the unpleasant fuel-like odours associated with some firelighters.

Versatile: Handy for lighting wood burners, open fires and fire pits.

Best for: Quick, straightforward fire lighting.

Kiln-Dried Kindling

Yellow net bag · approx. 4–5 kg

Our kiln-dried kindling helps establish a fire quickly, creating a strong flame before you add larger logs.

Kiln-dried: Low-moisture small wood pieces for easy lighting.

Builds your fire: Helps a small flame develop before adding your chosen firewood.

Convenient net bag: Easy to handle and keep ready for your next fire.

Best for: Establishing a good flame before adding larger logs.

Ready to Find Your Firewood?

Explore our range and choose the delivery option that suits your location and how often you use your fire.

Shop Firewood Ask Celtic Timber

celtictimber.co.uk · 01437 710043

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