When it comes to heating your home with a wood burning stove or multi-fuel stove, the fuel you choose makes all the difference. While many people are familiar with kiln dried logs, briquettes (sometimes called heat logs) are becoming increasingly popular. But what exactly are they and why might they be the right choice for you?
What Are Briquettes?
Briquettes, also referred to as Heat Logs, are made from compressed sawdust, wood chips and other natural by-products of the timber industry. With very low moisture content – typically under 10% – they burn cleanly and efficiently. Unlike traditional logs, they are uniform in shape, making them easy to handle, stack and store.
The Benefits of Briquettes
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High efficiency – Briquettes produce strong, steady heat output with less waste.
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Low moisture – Less energy is wasted evaporating water, which means more heat goes into your room.
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Easy to light – Their density and dryness mean briquettes catch quickly, especially with the top-down method.
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Consistent size and shape – No need to chop or split, and they fit neatly into most stoves and can be easily broken into smaller pieces if needed.
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Cleaner burn – Less smoke, less soot and less ash compared to wet logs.
- Eco-friendly – They are made from recycled wood by-products, so nothing goes to waste.
How Do Briquettes Compare to Kiln Dried Logs?
Both kiln dried logs and briquettes are excellent fuels for stoves and many customers choose to use a mix of both.
- Briquettes provide consistent, easy-to-manage heat and are particularly convenient for everyday use.
- Kiln dried logs offer the traditional firewood experience, with a lively flame picture and the atmosphere of a real log fire.
How to Use Briquettes in Your Stove
- Start with a few smaller pieces or break larger briquettes apart.
- Leave space between briquettes so air can circulate.
- Use fewer firelighters and kindling than you would with logs – briquettes catch easily.
- Avoid overloading the stove – briquettes burn hot, so begin with a small amount and add gradually.
Are Briquettes the Best Stove Fuel?
For households looking for convenience, consistent heat, briquettes are a smart choice. They burn hotter and cleaner than ordinary logs, are easy to store and can be used with all modern Ecodesign stoves and DEFRA-approved stove models in Scotland.
Briquettes are an efficient, eco-friendly and reliable alternative to traditional firewood. Whether used on their own or alongside bulk kiln dried firewood, they provide excellent heat output, clean burning and real convenience.
At Calido, we supply high-quality briquettes and kiln dried logs delivered directly to your door, so you always have the right fuel for your stove.
