Kiln Dried Hardwood vs Softwood Firewood – What Burns Best?

At Barochan Farm in Houston, Renfrewshire, customers often ask whether kiln dried hardwood or softwood is best for their stove.

The answer depends on how you use your fire, but both have clear advantages.

Kiln dried hardwood logs

Hardwood is dense and slow burning, making it a premium firewood choice.

Benefits include:

• Long burn time
• High heat output
• Ideal for overnight or extended burning

Hardwood is perfect for customers who want longer-lasting fires with fewer refuels.

Kiln dried softwood (including larch)

Softwood such as larch is lighter and easier to light but still performs extremely well when kiln dried.

Benefits include:

• Easy to light
• Fast heat output
• Excellent value for money
• Ideal for quick, efficient fires

At Barochan Farm, our kiln dried larch is a standout softwood option that performs much closer to hardwood than traditional softwoods like spruce.

Which should you choose?

Most customers benefit from a mix of both:

• Hardwood for long burns
• Larch for quick heat and everyday use

Both are available as kiln dried firewood, ready to burn with low moisture content.

Conclusion

There is no single “best” firewood—only the right choice for your stove and lifestyle. That’s why we supply both kiln dried hardwood and kiln dried softwood across Renfrewshire and surrounding areas.