If you’re buying firewood for your home or business, you’ve probably seen the phrase “Ready to Burn.” It’s everywhere — in product descriptions, search results and packaging. But what does it actually mean? And why should you care?
This guide explains what Ready to Burn certification involves, where it comes from, and why it matters if you want a cleaner, hotter and more efficient fire.
Who sets the Ready to Burn standard
Ready to Burn is a government-backed certification scheme developed by Defra (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) and managed by Woodsure — the UK’s official wood fuel quality assurance body.
Since May 2021, it’s been a legal requirement in England that all firewood sold in volumes under 2 cubic metres must be certified as Ready to Burn. That means the logs must have a moisture content below 20% and be labelled with a valid Ready to Burn logo.
The goal is to reduce air pollution and improve efficiency by ensuring that wood sold for home use is dry, safe and clean-burning.
Why moisture content matters
Moisture is the biggest factor in firewood performance. Logs with too much water produce more smoke, burn less efficiently, and release harmful particulates into the air.
According to Woodsure and Forestry Commission UK data, logs with under 20% moisture content are safe and efficient for domestic use. Firewood with 25% or more moisture content produces significantly more smoke, clogs up flues faster, and offers much lower heat output.
Logs that are properly kiln dried to under 15% moisture — like the ones we supply at The Logsmith — go beyond that minimum requirement to deliver even better results.
Why The Logsmith goes further
The Ready to Burn certification sets the legal standard — but we aim higher. We kiln dry our hardwood logs to below 15% moisture because the difference in performance is noticeable.
Logs dried to this level typically produce between 4,700 and 5,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of heat per tonne. That compares to 4,400–4,700 kWh per tonne for logs with moisture content closer to 20%, and just 2,300–3,500 kWh per tonne for seasoned logs with 25–40% moisture. This data is based on figures from HETAS, logsforsale.co.uk, and the Forestry Commission UK.
That means more heat, less smoke, and fewer logs needed to stay warm. Whether you’re using a woodburner, open fire, pizza oven or hot tub, the result is a cleaner, more reliable burn.
What makes a log “Ready to Burn”
To meet the Woodsure standard, logs must consistently test at under 20% moisture content and come with clear storage instructions. Suppliers must display the Ready to Burn logo along with a unique supplier ID and meet quality control checks through regular audits.
The standard was introduced to tackle domestic air pollution. Wood burning is one of the largest sources of particulate matter (PM2.5) in the UK. By ensuring logs are properly dried, the scheme helps reduce emissions and encourages responsible burning.
How to tell if your logs are certified
If you’re buying firewood in volumes under 2m³, look for the Ready to Burn logo — either on the packaging or in the product listing. It should also include the supplier’s registration number.