How to Get the Best Results When Burning Firewood
- Jul 14
- 2 min read
Simple Tips for a Hotter, Cleaner and More Efficient Fire
A well-built fire doesn't just happen. The right firewood, good airflow, and correct burning technique will help your wood heater perform better, produce more heat, and burn cleaner.
Follow these simple tips to get the most from your firewood this winter.
1. Use Dry, Seasoned Premium Jarrah Firewood
Dry firewood is the key to a successful fire.
Wet or green wood:
Takes longer to ignite
Produces more smoke
Creates less heat
Increases creosote buildup in your flue
Always burn properly seasoned hardwood for the best results.
2. Start With Plenty of Kindling
A hot start creates a cleaner and more efficient fire.
For the best results:
✓ Use plenty of dry kindling
✓ Open all air vents fully
✓ Allow the fire to establish before adding larger logs
Small pieces of wood burn quickly and help create the heat needed to ignite larger logs.
3. Start With Smaller Logs
Avoid loading large pieces of timber onto a cold fire.
Begin with smaller logs to build a strong flame and establish good airflow. Once the fire is burning well, larger logs can be added for longer-lasting heat.
4. Run Your Heater on High Initially
For combustion heaters, keep the air controls fully open for the first 20–25 minutes.
This allows the fire to:
Heat the flue
Establish strong airflow
Burn efficiently
Reduce smoke production
5. Don't Reduce the Air Too Early
A common mistake is turning the heater down before the fire is ready.
Wait until you have:
✓ Strong flames
✓ A good bed of glowing red coals
✓ A well-established fire
Reducing airflow too soon can cause a smoky, inefficient burn.
6. Don't Overload Your Heater
Fire needs oxygen to burn properly.
Avoid packing your heater too tightly with logs. Leave gaps between pieces so air can move freely around the wood.
Good airflow means:
Better combustion
More heat
Less smoke
7. Use Larger Logs for Longer Burning
Once your fire is established, add larger hardwood logs.
Larger pieces will:
Burn for longer
Produce steady heat
Reduce the need for frequent reloading
8. Keep Air Intakes Clear
Never block your heater's air supply with firewood.
Restricted airflow can reduce performance and cause incomplete combustion.
Always allow space around air vents and intake areas.
9. Restarting a Fire From Coals
If your fire has burned down to a few glowing coals, you can easily restart it.
Simply:
Add a small amount of dry kindling.
Add a few smaller pieces of wood.
Use a little newspaper or a fire starter.
Open the air controls.
Once the flame is established, add larger logs.
Quick Firewood Burning Checklist
✓ Use Dry, Seasoned Premium Jarrah Firewood
✓ Start with kindling and smaller logs
✓ Keep air vents fully open when lighting
✓ Let the fire establish before reducing airflow
✓ Allow space between logs for ventilation
✓ Add larger logs once the fire is hot
✓ Keep air supplies clear
Burn Better With Quality Firewood
The quality of your fire starts with the quality of your wood.
Premium seasoned hardwood gives you longer burns, better heat output, and a cleaner-burning heater.
For quality firewood delivery across Perth, contact Stanley Firewood today.