Logs, compressed logs, or wood pellets: which to choose for heating?
Heating with wood no longer means relying solely on traditional logs. Densified wood logs and wood pellets have become widely popular. Each of these fuels has its advantages, but they cannot all be used in the same appliances. Here is a comparison to help you make the right choice based on your equipment and lifestyle.
Traditional logs: the charm of a real wood fire
Key strengths
- Ambiance: a beautiful flame, the crackling, the glowing embers… the log remains unmatched for the pleasure of a fire.
- Minimally processed fuel: the wood is simply cut, split, and dried.
- Versatility: wood stoves, fireplace inserts, open fireplaces, wood-burning cookers, log boilers.
Constraints
- Storage: requires a covered and ventilated log shed, and a significant amount of space for primary heating.
- Drying quality: the wood must have a moisture content of less than 20% to burn well. Damp wood produces poor heat and clogs the chimney.
- Handling: bringing the wood inside, reloading the firebox regularly, and emptying the ashes.
To choose the right wood species, consult our guide Which firewood should you choose?
Densified logs: compact and very dry
What are they?
Densified logs (or "compressed logs") are made from sawdust and wood shavings that are dried and then compressed under high pressure, generally without glue: the wood's natural lignin provides the cohesion. They come in various forms: solid logs, extruded logs (often with a hole in the center), or briquettes.
Key strengths
- Very low moisture, generally much lower than a classic log, resulting in efficient combustion and little smoke.
- Reduced space requirements: for the same energy output, they take up significantly less space than a cubic meter of logs. Ideal for apartments or when space is limited.
- Cleanliness: packaged in bags or packs, they leave neither bark nor insects in the house.
- Consistent quality from one pack to the next.
Limitations
- Intense heat: they release a lot of energy. Never overload the firebox; start with one or two logs and follow your appliance manufacturer's recommendations.
- Expansion: some densified logs expand while burning. Leave space in the firebox.
- Different flame: more consistent, sometimes with fewer embers than an oak or hornbeam fire.
- Must be stored in a dry place: they disintegrate upon contact with moisture.
They can be used in wood stoves, inserts, and fireplaces, either alone or in addition to traditional logs. Many users combine them: a densified log to raise the temperature quickly, and traditional logs for the atmosphere and embers.
Wood pellets: the comfort of automation
How does it work?
Pellets are small cylinders of compressed sawdust. They automatically fuel a pellet stove or boiler: an auger feeds them from a hopper to the burn pot, where they burn in a regulated manner.
Key strengths
- Comfort: programming, thermostat, automatic ignition. You fill the hopper and the appliance manages the temperature.
- Standardized fuel with low moisture.
- Simple storage: in bags (often 15 kg) on pallets, in a dry room.
Limitations
- Dedicated appliance required: pellets cannot be used in a regular wood stove or a classic fireplace.
- Electricity required: most pellet stoves do not work during a power outage.
- Maintenance: regular cleaning of the burn pot and annual maintenance by a professional.
- Pellet quality: poor-quality pellets produce more ash and can clog the appliance. Look for recognized certifications (e.g., ENplus or DINplus) indicated on the bags, and follow the recommendations of your stove manufacturer.
Warning: heating pellets and pellets intended for pellet grills are two different products. For cooking, use only food-grade pellets (see our article on pellet grills).
Comparison table
- Compatible appliances – Logs: wood stove, insert, fireplace. Densified logs: wood stove, insert, fireplace. Pellets: pellet stove or boiler only.
- Space required – Logs: significant. Densified logs: reduced. Pellets: reduced (bags on pallets).
- Ease of use – Logs: manual loading. Densified logs: manual loading, less frequent. Pellets: automatic.
- Ambiance – Logs: maximum. Densified logs: good. Pellets: more discreet flame.
So, what should you choose?
- You have a wood stove or insert and space: traditional logs remain an excellent choice, possibly supplemented by densified logs.
- You are short on space or live in an apartment with a wood stove: densified logs are practical and clean.
- You are looking primarily for comfort and programming: a pellet stove is made for you.
In any case, have your chimney swept according to regulations, use only fuels authorized by your appliance manufacturer, and equip your home with a smoke detector (and ideally a carbon monoxide detector).
To estimate the quantity of logs needed, read also How many cubic meters of wood do you need to get through the winter?
Our wood fuels
Find cubic meters of logs, densified logs, and pallets of pellets in the Firewood & logs collection, and lighting products in Charcoal & firelighters.