The best logs for a wood burner are dry, untreated hardwood logs that fit comfortably inside your stove. For most households in Malvern, kiln-dried hardwood with a moisture content below 20% provides a dependable combination of easy lighting, effective heat and consistent burning.
However, choosing suitable firewood involves more than simply buying the driest logs available. You should also consider log dimensions, wood species, storage, delivery access and how frequently you intend to use your stove.
Lovington Logs supplies kiln-dried hardwood firewood to Malvern, Worcester and communities throughout the WR postcode area. This guide explains what to look for when choosing logs for your wood-burning stove.
Quick answer
For most modern wood burners, choose:
- Kiln-dried hardwood
- Moisture content below 20%
- Clean, untreated logs
- Logs that fit comfortably inside the firebox
- Consistently split pieces with room for airflow
- Firewood stored somewhere dry and ventilated
Lovington Logs’ standard firewood is approximately 200–300mm long and kiln-dried to below 20% moisture unless the individual product description states otherwise.
Always measure your stove before ordering. A compact appliance may require shorter logs even when the firewood is dry and otherwise suitable.
Why kiln-dried hardwood is a strong choice
Kiln-dried hardwood is a practical choice for households that want firewood ready to use soon after delivery.
Controlled drying reduces the moisture held inside the wood. When the moisture content is below 20%, less of the fire’s energy is spent evaporating water before the wood can burn effectively.
Properly dried logs generally provide:
- Easier lighting
- More reliable combustion
- Better useful heat output
- Less smoke than unsuitable wet wood
- A more predictable fire
- Easier fire management
Dry firewood will not compensate for an incorrectly operated or poorly maintained stove, but it provides a much better starting point than wet or unsuitable timber.
Hardwood or softwood: which is best?
Both hardwood and softwood can burn successfully when properly dried. The biggest issue is usually moisture content rather than the label alone.
However, hardwood is often preferred for regular domestic stove use because its denser structure can provide a steady, longer-lasting burn. This can mean fewer refuels once the stove has reached its normal operating temperature.
Softwood is less dense and often burns more quickly. Properly dried softwood can be useful for lighting a fire and establishing heat, but it may require more frequent refuelling.
For most Malvern households seeking an uncomplicated everyday supply, dry hardwood is an excellent all-round option.
Kiln-dried logs compared with seasoned logs
Kiln-dried logs
Kiln-dried logs are dried in controlled conditions to reduce their moisture content. They are a convenient option when you want logs that can be burned soon after delivery.
They are particularly useful for:
- Regular stove users
- Customers without long-term drying space
- Winter orders needed for immediate use
- Households wanting consistent moisture levels
- Customers ordering smaller quantities throughout winter
Seasoned logs
Seasoned logs are dried naturally over a longer period. Well-seasoned firewood can burn effectively, but its condition depends on how long it has been seasoned and how it has been stored.
Seasoned logs may be suitable for customers with substantial, well-ventilated storage. Check the individual product description and moisture information before purchasing.
Lovington Logs supplies kiln-dried logs unless a product is specifically described as seasoned.
What moisture content should stove logs have?
Choose firewood with a moisture content below 20%.
Wet logs can be harder to light and produce less useful heat because energy is used to evaporate the water held inside the wood. They can also create a smoky, disappointing fire.
A handheld moisture meter can help you check stored firewood. For a more meaningful reading:
- Select a representative log.
- Split it to expose the centre.
- Test the newly exposed internal surface.
- Check several logs rather than relying on one reading.
Testing only the outside of a log may not accurately represent the moisture held in its centre.
What size logs should you buy?
The correct log length depends on the dimensions of your stove’s firebox.
Lovington Logs’ standard firewood is approximately 200–300mm long, which is suitable for many domestic wood burners. Nevertheless, customers should measure their appliance before placing an order.
A suitable log should:
- Fit comfortably inside the firebox
- Leave space around it for airflow
- Not press against the stove glass
- Allow the stove door to close safely
- Match the appliance manufacturer’s instructions
Do not assume that every bag of “stove logs” will fit every appliance. Smaller wood burners can require substantially shorter pieces.
Which logs provide the most heat?
The useful heat you receive is influenced by:
- Moisture content
- Wood density
- Stove efficiency
- Log size and split
- Air control
- Refuelling frequency
- Chimney and flue performance
- Property insulation
Dry hardwood is often chosen because it combines relatively high density with a steady burn. However, even excellent firewood will perform badly in a stove that is overloaded, starved of air or not maintained correctly.
Use your appliance according to its manufacturer’s instructions and arrange appropriate chimney or flue maintenance.
Logs you should never burn
A wood burner should not be treated as a general waste incinerator. Avoid burning:
- Painted timber
- Treated wood
- MDF or chipboard
- Plywood containing adhesives
- Household rubbish
- Plastic
- Glossy or heavily printed packaging
- Wood contaminated with chemicals
- Wet or visibly mouldy logs
These materials may produce harmful fumes, excessive smoke or deposits inside the stove and flue.
Choose clean firewood supplied specifically for burning.
Choosing the right firewood quantity
The best order size depends on your storage, delivery access and how often you use your wood burner.
Barrow bags for limited access
A Lovington Logs barrow bag contains approximately 0.2m³ of loose-filled firewood.
This option is useful for:
- Occasional stove users
- Smaller Malvern properties
- Homes with narrow access
- Customers with limited storage
- Topping up an existing log supply
Bulk bags for regular stove use
A bulk bag contains approximately 0.65m³ of loose-filled firewood.
Bulk bags are suitable for:
- Regular evening use
- Medium and larger homes
- Customers with driveway access
- Households wanting fewer deliveries
- Properties with a suitable log store
For daily evening use, a bulk bag might last approximately one month. Heavy or extended use can consume the same volume much faster.
Tipper loads for substantial winter use
A tipper load contains approximately 2.5m³ of loose firewood.
This option is best suited to:
- Daily stove users
- Larger properties
- Households with substantial storage
- Customers using wood as a major heat source
- Properties with suitable vehicle access
One tipper load is approximately equivalent by loose volume to 3.8 bulk bags or 12.5 barrow bags. The comparison is approximate because logs can settle during delivery and storage.
For more detailed estimates, read our guide to how much firewood you need for winter in Worcestershire.
How should logs be stored in Malvern?
Even kiln-dried logs need suitable storage after delivery.
A good firewood storage area should be:
- Covered from persistent rain
- Raised above wet ground
- Open enough to provide ventilation
- Away from standing water
- Conveniently located for bringing logs indoors
- Large enough to avoid tightly compressing the logs
A purpose-built log store is ideal. A ventilated shed, suitable garage or covered outbuilding can also work well.
Avoid completely wrapping the logs in non-breathable plastic. This can trap condensation and prevent moisture from escaping. If you use a cover, protect the top while allowing air to move around the sides.
Bring only a sensible quantity indoors at one time and keep it an appropriate distance from the stove.
When should Malvern residents order winter logs?
Ordering before the coldest weather gives you time to prepare your storage and understand how quickly your household uses firewood.
Demand can rise significantly during colder periods. Ordering early also reduces the likelihood of discovering that your remaining supply will not last until your next planned delivery.
Lovington Logs aims to deliver within one to two weeks. Repeat or scheduled deliveries can be arranged for customers who burn regularly but do not have room to store a large winter supply.
Firewood delivery in Malvern and WR14
Lovington Logs provides firewood delivery across Malvern, including the WR14 postcode area, as part of our wider Worcestershire service.
We supply customers in and around:
- Great Malvern
- Malvern Link
- Barnards Green
- West Malvern
- North Malvern
- Malvern Wells
- Little Malvern
- Madresfield
- Leigh Sinton
- Surrounding WR postcode villages
Our standard delivery area covers all WR postcodes and DY11. Delivery is free on qualifying orders over £50.
Customers do not normally need to be present. Orders can be left in a safe, accessible location when clear delivery instructions are provided.
Why choose Lovington Logs?
Lovington Logs is a local family business supplying households across Worcestershire.
Customers choose us for:
- Kiln-dried hardwood below 20% moisture
- Standard logs approximately 200–300mm long
- Barrow bags for restricted access
- Bulk bags for convenient driveway delivery
- Large tipper loads for substantial users
- Reliable delivery throughout the WR postcode area
- Free delivery on qualifying orders over £50
- Repeat and scheduled winter deliveries
- Hardwood sourced through UK suppliers
- Domestic, bulk and trade supply
Our different delivery sizes allow Malvern households to order according to their storage and usage rather than relying on a single one-size-fits-all option.
Order logs for your wood burner in Malvern
For most wood burners, the best choice is clean, dry hardwood with a moisture content below 20% and dimensions suitable for the appliance.
Before ordering:
- Measure your firebox.
- Estimate how frequently you will burn.
- Check your delivery access.
- Prepare a covered, ventilated storage area.
- Select an order size suited to your usage.
You can shop kiln-dried firewood online for delivery in Malvern and throughout our wider Worcestershire delivery area.
Large domestic, hospitality and business orders are also available through our Trade and Commercial Firewood service.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best logs for a wood burner?
For most domestic wood burners, dry, untreated hardwood logs with a moisture content below 20% are an excellent choice. The logs must also fit comfortably inside the appliance and leave sufficient room for airflow.
Are kiln-dried logs better for a wood burner?
Kiln-dried logs are a convenient and dependable option because controlled drying reduces their moisture content. Logs below 20% moisture generally light more easily and burn more effectively than unsuitable wet firewood.
Is hardwood or softwood better for a stove?
Both can be burned when properly dried. Hardwood is denser and often provides a steadier, longer burn. Softwood generally burns more quickly and may be useful when establishing a fire. Moisture content remains one of the most important considerations.
What size logs fit a wood-burning stove?
The correct size depends on the appliance. Lovington Logs’ standard pieces are approximately 200–300mm long. Measure the firebox and check the manufacturer’s instructions before ordering.
How can I tell if logs are dry enough to burn?
Use a moisture meter on the freshly exposed centre of a split log. Check several pieces from the supply. Suitable firewood should have a moisture content below 20%.
Does Lovington Logs deliver to Malvern?
Yes. Malvern and WR14 fall within the standard Lovington Logs delivery area, which covers all WR postcodes and DY11.
Is firewood delivery free in Malvern?
Delivery is free on qualifying orders over £50 within the standard delivery area.
Do I need to be present for delivery?
Usually not. An order can normally be left in a safe, accessible location when suitable delivery instructions are supplied.
Which quantity should I order?
A 0.2m³ barrow bag suits occasional use or restricted access. A 0.65m³ bulk bag is suitable for many regular users. A 2.5m³ tipper load is intended for substantial consumption and properties with ample storage and access.
Can I arrange repeat deliveries?
Yes. Repeat and scheduled winter deliveries can be arranged, helping customers with regular usage or limited storage avoid running out.