Christmas at home calls for a fire that lights first time, throws out real heat and looks the part. If you have been battling with damp logs and a smoky grate, this is your year to switch to Woodsure Ready to Burn kiln-dried logs. Drier wood means faster lighting, a cleaner burn and less faff while you get the mince pies warmed and the film on.

This guide covers what to buy for Christmas Eve ambience and long holiday evenings, how to store your wood so it stays perfect, when to place your order and what to expect from delivery in December.

Are kiln-dried logs worth it?

Yes. Kiln-dried logs with a verified moisture content of 20 percent or under give you three big wins compared to wet or “green” wood.

• Easier lighting: dry fibres catch quickly, so you use fewer firelighters and less kindling. That saves time and money.
• Higher heat: you are not wasting energy boiling off water. The same armful of dry logs gives noticeably more warmth and a responsive flame when you open the air vents.
• Cleaner burn: properly dry logs release fewer fine particles (PM2.5) and produce less smoke and tar. Your glass stays clearer and your flue is happier. Look for the Woodsure Ready to Burn mark. It is the simple way to know the logs meet the UK standard for moisture content, supporting efficient burns and better local air quality.

What is the cleanest burning firewood?

Clean burning starts with dryness, then species. Among hardwoods, birch, ash, oak and hornbeam are popular for their steady, hot flames and low ash when properly dried. Here is how to match them to the moment.

• Birch: lights fast, bright flame, gentle crackle and great for instant cosiness. Perfect for Christmas Eve atmosphere or quick top ups before guests arrive.
• Ash: reliable all rounder, good heat and steady coals. Ideal for regular evening fires.
• Oak: very dense with long, even heat once established. Best for long winter nights when you want to load less often.
• Hornbeam: similar to oak for longevity, good ember bed and strong output.

If you love the look of lively flames on festive nights, start with birch to get the fire going, then add oak or hornbeam for a long, settled burn.

What to buy for Christmas fires

Different homes need different pack sizes. Dawsons stocks crates for bulk value and neat stacks, plus nets and boot bags for smaller spaces or last minute top ups.

• Crates: the best value per log and easy to stack in a garage or log store. Choose birch for quick light ups through the holidays, ash for balance, or oak/hornbeam for long heats.
• Nets: flexible and easy to carry through the house or down steps. Great if you do not have room for a crate or want to mix species.
• 60L boot bags: perfect for city flats, gifts, or a weekend at the in-laws. A tidy option that drops straight in the car boot.

Tip for Christmas Eve: lay two smaller birch logs on a hot kindling bed for that instant glow, then follow with a larger oak or hornbeam log to extend the burn into the evening.

If you are comparing options or prefer to browse by category, you can explore kiln-dried species and pack sizes under firewood logs.

Quick storage tips that actually work

Keep your kiln-dried logs dry and off the ground. A few simple habits will keep them in perfect condition through the holidays.

• Raise and cover: store on pallets or battens to create airflow underneath and keep the base away from damp floors. Cover the top, leave the sides open if outdoors so moisture can escape.
• Indoors for 24 hours: bring a basket of logs into the house the day before you plan to use them. Room temperature wood lights faster and burns cleaner.
• Do not seal in damp: if a bag or net gets wet in transit, open it up and let the logs breathe in a dry place.

What happens if kiln-dried logs get wet?

Surface wetness from a shower is not the end of the world. Let the logs sit somewhere warm and ventilated until they are dry to the touch. If they are left on a wet floor or soaked repeatedly, moisture creeps back in and you lose the benefits, including harder lighting, lower heat and more smoke. Prevention is best, so move pallets under cover as soon as they arrive and keep everyday baskets away from draughty doorways.

When should you buy logs for winter?

For Christmas and the New Year cold snap, plan ahead. The best time to buy is early autumn for price and stock choice, but in December you still have options.

• Early December: order a crate to see you through the season and avoid last minute rushes.
• Mid to late December: choose nets or boot bags for quick top ups when family are visiting or a cold spell hits.
• New Year planning: if your store is half full, book your next delivery for the first full week of January. It avoids a scramble if temperatures drop.

Dawsons offers nationwide kerbside delivery with pallet protection, so your logs arrive shrink wrapped with a shower proof cover. If you want the details or need to check access, read more about firewood delivery before you order.

How Dawsons’ packs fit real homes

• Small fireplaces and flats: boot bags of birch for easy carrying and instant flames. Add a few nets of hornbeam to stretch evening burns.
• Busy family homes: a mixed crate works well, birch for quick starts after the school run, oak for weekend films and long board game nights.
• Rural stoves and open fires: oak or hornbeam crates for full season value. Keep a couple of birch nets on hand for guests and Christmas mornings.

Not sure which way to go? Our plain English guide to wood for burning stove choices breaks down species and stove behaviour so you can pick with confidence.

Delivery pointers for the festive period

• Kerbside service: pallets are delivered to your kerb or the nearest safe point with a tail lift and pump truck. Drivers cannot move pallets over gravel, grass or steep slopes.
• Pallet protection: everything is shrink wrapped with a shower proof cover for the journey. Move your logs to a dry, raised spot as soon as possible.
• Plan around closures: carriers and yards operate reduced hours over Christmas and New Year. If you rely on your stove daily, order a week earlier than you think you need to. For urgent needs, check express options and Saturday slots by phone before 11am on weekdays.

Simple lighting tips for a perfect first match

• Start with a quality firelighter and dry kindling.
• Use two small birch splits to build quick flame.
• Once the glass is clear and the flames are steady, add an oak or hornbeam log for a long, even burn.
• Keep air controls open while establishing, then adjust for a clean, bright flame, not a smoulder.

Final word and next steps

Kiln-dried, Woodsure Ready to Burn logs are absolutely worth it for Christmas, New Year and the long winter that follows. You will light faster, get more heat from fewer logs and keep smoke and mess down. Store them raised and covered, bring a basket in 24 hours ahead and mix species to suit the moment, birch for sparkle and speed, oak or hornbeam for staying power.

If you are set for a cosy break and want to beat the first January cold snap, choose your pack size today. Browse practical options, from nets to crates, and buy firewood with delivery that fits your plans. And if you need a refresher on technique for clean, easy starts, here is a step by step on how to light a fire that you can skim before guests arrive.