If you’re cooking outdoors or heating a hot tub or sauna, the type of wood you use makes a big difference. Not all firewood burns the same — some woods burn hotter and slower, some give off more smoke, and some add flavour or scent that enhances the experience.
Whether you’re a homeowner cooking pizzas in the garden, or a business running a wood-fired sauna, BBQ hut or glamping site, choosing the right wood will give you a cleaner, more reliable burn with less waste and better results.
In this guide, we’ll cover the best types of wood for pizza ovens, BBQs, hot tubs, saunas and more — and what to look for when buying.
Why low moisture wood is essential
No matter what you’re using it for, the number one rule is this: use properly dried hardwood. Moisture affects everything — from heat output to smoke levels and lighting time.
We kiln dry all our wood to under 15% moisture to ensure fast ignition, clean combustion and maximum energy. That means you’ll use less fuel, get hotter flames, and avoid smoky, inefficient burns.
Best wood for pizza ovens
For pizza ovens, you want wood that burns hot, lights fast, and doesn’t overpower the flavour of the food. A consistent flame and steady heat are key to crisp crusts and even cooking.
Our top recommendations:
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Birch: Burns hot and fast, ideal for quick heat and shorter cooking times
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Ash: Steady, even burn with minimal smoke — perfect for maintaining oven temperature
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Oak: Slower to catch but great for long sessions — adds a gentle smoky flavour
All three work well in wood-fired pizza ovens. Birch is ideal for getting up to temperature, ash for steady cooking, and oak for longer bakes.
Best wood for BBQs
For BBQs, the type of wood depends on how you’re cooking. Fast grilling needs quick heat, while slow smoking or ember cooking benefits from long, steady burn time.
Use birch or ash for quick, clean-burning flames when grilling over open fire. If you’re cooking over embers or low heat, oak is a brilliant choice for its long burn and subtle smoke.
All our firewood is free from chemicals and additives, so it’s safe for food use and won’t taint flavour.
Best wood for wood-fired hot tubs and saunas
In hot tubs and saunas, the goal is consistent, powerful heat with minimal fuss. You want a flame that lights easily and reaches temperature quickly without constant refuelling.
Oak and ash are the best options here. Both are dense hardwoods that burn hot and last long, making them ideal for heating large volumes of water or maintaining sauna heat.
Because our logs are ultra kiln dried, they won’t give off steam or struggle to light — even in damp conditions.
Where briquettes work best
Briquettes are a great option for long-lasting, consistent heat. They’re ideal for hot tubs and saunas where you want a steady burn and fewer top-ups. Made from compressed sawdust, they’re dense, low in moisture, and easy to store.
You can also mix briquettes with logs for added burn time in pizza ovens or BBQs — just be sure to keep them dry for best performance.
Don’t forget kindling and fire starters
To get any of these going, you’ll need a solid base. Our natural firelighters and kiln dried kindling make starting your fire easy — with no chemicals, no smoke, and no wasted matches.
They’re especially useful in commercial settings like restaurants, spas or holiday lets where reliable ignition is key to saving time and effort.
To Summarise:
The best wood depends on what you're burning it for — but it should always be ultra dry, clean-burning hardwood.
- For pizza ovens: birch and ash for fast heat, oak for longer cooking
- For BBQs: birch and ash for grilling, oak for smoking and embers
- For hot tubs and saunas: oak and ash for high heat and long burn time
- For steady heat: briquettes
- For lighting: natural fire starters and kiln dried kindling
At The Logsmith, we supply all of the above — delivered in clean, recyclable boxes, with moisture content under 15%, and free shipping over £75.
Whether you're cooking for family or fuelling a business, we’ve got the right wood for every fire.