Fuel

What Ready to Burn wood actually means

Updated 28 September 2026

In England, the Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations 2020 restrict the sale of wet wood for domestic burning. Wood sold in volumes under 2 m³ must be certified Ready to Burn: moisture content of 20% or less, with the supplier’s name, certification number and logo on the pack. The scheme is run by Woodsure (wood) and HETAS (manufactured solid fuels) for Defra. Official site: readytoburn.org.

Why your sweep cares

Wet wood smokes, cools the flue and lays down tar. Tar raises chimney-fire risk and can undo a fresh sweep within a season. Dry fuel burns hotter and cleaner. Sweep first if the flue is neglected; then burn certified dry wood. On thatch, dry fuel and a clear flue matter even more — see thatch.

What to look for when you buy

• Ready to Burn mark on bags and nets under 2 m³.
• Certification number — Woodsure wood codes usually start with WS; you can check a supplier on the Ready to Burn site.
• Kiln-dried or verified seasoned — “seasoned” alone is not a certificate.
• Store under cover — rain will re-wet even kiln-dried logs.

After the certificate visit

A registered sweep’s certificate records the job; it does not dry your fuel. Book before silly season fills diaries, keep the insurance certificate, and burn dry wood once the flue is clear. Short notes also on logs.

Buy Ready to Burn kiln-dried logs from LogsOnline (affiliate link — we may earn a commission if you buy).

Find a registered sweep · How often · Cost.

Disclosure: some product links are affiliate / referral links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Not affiliated with HETAS, NACS, the Guild, APICS, Sweep Safe or Ready to Burn / Woodsure.