Fuel Comparison Guide
Not sure which fuel is right for your fire?
There isn’t one fuel that’s best for everyone. Logs are easy to light and give a traditional flame, while wood briquettes generally give more heat and can burn for longer. If you have a suitable multi-fuel appliance, coal and smokeless fuels offer very high heat and a long burn.
About our ratings: These comparisons are based on our experience with the fuels we sell and the product information on our website. Every stove, fire and flue behaves differently, so use the ratings as a practical guide rather than an exact measure of performance.
Kiln Dried Logs
Kiln Dried Hardwood Logs
Traditional fires, good flame & everyday burning
Suitable for: Stoves + open fires
Heat · Good
Burn · Medium*
Flame · Excellent
Lighting · Easy
Wood Briquettes & Heat Logs
View all briquettes & heat logs →
UK Hardwood Briquettes
Quick heat & smaller stoves
Suitable for: Small–medium stoves + open fires
Heat · High
Burn · Short–Medium*
Flame · Very Good
Lighting · Easy
Woodlets Briquettes
General burning, heat & flame
Suitable for: All stoves + open fires
Heat · High
Burn · Medium*
Flame · Excellent
Lighting · Easy
Woodlets Heat Logs
General-purpose burning
Suitable for: All stoves + open fires
Heat · High
Burn · Medium*
Flame · Excellent
Lighting · Medium
Hotmax
Starting, reviving & quick heat
Suitable for: Small stoves + open fires
Heat · High
Burn · Short–Medium*
Flame · Very Good
Lighting · Easy
Goldies
Quick heat & an attractive flame
Suitable for: Small stoves + open fires
Heat · High
Burn · Medium*
Flame · Excellent
Lighting · Easy
Roastie Toasties
Small stoves, starting & reviving
Suitable for: All stoves + open fires
Heat · High
Burn · Short–Medium*
Flame · Excellent
Lighting · Easy
RUF Oak
Steady heat & longer burning
Suitable for: All stoves + open fires
Heat · High
Burn · Long*
Flame · Good
Lighting · Medium
Hardwood Pini-Kay
High heat, good flame & long glow
Suitable for: All stoves + open fires
Heat · High
Burn · Long*
Flame · Excellent
Lighting · Medium
Beech Nestro
Sustained high heat & longer burning
Suitable for: All stoves + open fires
Heat · High
Burn · Long*
Flame · Good
Lighting · Difficult
Envi8
Sustained long burns
Suitable for: Larger stoves
Heat · High
Burn · Very Long*
Flame · Moderate
Lighting · Difficult
Envi XL
Maximum burn duration
Suitable for: 5kW+ stoves
Heat · High
Burn · Very Long*
Flame · Moderate
Lighting · Difficult
RUF Long Burn
Extending the fire & long burns
Suitable for: Stoves + open fires
Heat · Moderate
Burn · Very Long*
Flame · Moderate
Lighting · Difficult
Smokeless Fuels & Coal
View smokeless fuels & coal →
Homefire Brazier
Everyday smokeless burning
Suitable for: Multi-fuel stoves + open fires
Heat · Very High
Burn · Long*
Flame · Not rated
Lighting · Medium
Homefire Ecoal
Sustained heat & long burning
Suitable for: Multi-fuel stoves + open fires
Heat · Very High
Burn · Long*
Flame · Attractive
Lighting · Medium
Homefire Wildfire
Open fires & traditional appearance
Suitable for: Multi-fuel stoves + open fires
Heat · Very High
Burn · Long*
Flame · Excellent
Lighting · Medium
Superheat
Multi-purpose solid fuel
Suitable for: Multi-fuel stoves, open fires, room heaters + boilers
Heat · Very High
Burn · Long*
Flame · Not rated
Lighting · Medium
House Coal Doubles
Traditional coal fires
Suitable for: Open firesâ€
Heat · Very High
Burn · Long*
Flame · Not rated
Lighting · Medium
Premium House Coal Trebles
Traditional coal fires with a long flame
Suitable for: Open firesâ€
Heat · Very High
Burn · Long*
Flame · Long natural flame
Lighting · Medium
* Burn duration is a general guide. Actual burn time varies depending on the appliance, amount of fuel and airflow.
All wood briquettes in this guide can be burned on an open fire with care. Add them gradually, avoid overloading the fire, use a suitable fireguard and never leave an open fire unattended.
†House coal: Check the individual product page before buying. Availability and use are subject to geographical and Smoke Control Area restrictions.
Choosing between logs, briquettes and solid fuel
Logs or briquettes?
Logs are easy to light and give a traditional flame. Wood briquettes generally give more heat and can burn for longer, so they are useful when you want more output from the same amount of storage space.
Which briquettes are easiest to light?
UK Hardwood, Woodlets Briquettes, Hotmax, Goldies and Roastie Toasties are among the easier options to get going. Denser long-burning fuels generally need a well-established firebed.
What if I want a long burn?
For longer burning, look at RUF Oak, Hardwood Pini-Kay, Beech Nestro, Envi8, Envi XL or RUF Long Burn. Which works best depends on your stove size and how much air you give the fire.
Can I use briquettes on an open fire?
Yes. The wood briquettes in this guide can be burned on an open fire, but care should be taken because briquettes can produce a lot of heat and some expand as they burn.
What about smokeless fuel and coal?
If you have a suitable multi-fuel appliance, these fuels can give very high heat and a long burn. Always check the individual product page for appliance suitability and any geographical or Smoke Control Area restrictions.
Decided on briquettes?
If you’re not sure which one to choose, our Briquette Finder compares your stove size and the way you like to use your fire.
