Open fire with wood briquettes

Should the stove be fuelled with hardwood or wood briquettes? That is a question everyone must answer for themselves.

What are wood briquettes?

Wood briquettes are machine-pressed under high pressure from untreated, dry wood waste such as sawdust or wood shavings. Their consistently high density and low air content result in a compact fuel with a diameter of at least 50 mm.
Important: Wood briquettes should not be confused with wood pellets. Pellets have a significantly smaller diameter and are designed for specific pellet-fired heating systems – they are not suitable for stoves or fireplace inserts.

Wood briquettes vs. hardwood: Which burns better?

Due to their density and a residual moisture content of only around 10 per cent, wood briquettes have a significantly higher calorific value than hardwood for the same volume. By way of comparison: 1 kg of beech wood provides a heat output of around 4 kW. Wood briquettes significantly exceed this figure per kilogram.
However, there is one area where hardwood still has the edge: the view of the flames. Logs produce a lively, blazing fire with yellow-orange flames. This visual fire experience cannot be achieved to the same standard with wood briquettes. Anyone who values the play of the flames as an important part of the fire experience is better off using hardwood for regular use.

What do you need to bear in mind when using wood briquettes?

Adjust the heat output – avoid overheating

As wood briquettes have a higher heat output per kilogramme than hardwood, the amount loaded must be reduced accordingly. Putting in too many briquettes at once leads to uncontrollably high temperatures in the fire box – which can cause damage to the appliance. It is essential that you check the kilowatt rating on the briquette packaging against the nominal heat output of your stove, as specified in the user manual.

Pay attention to the size of the briquettes – protect the firebox lining

The briquette expands as it burns. If a wood briquette is too large, this expansion may damage the firebox lining. When filling the fire box, therefore, pay attention to the size of the wood briquettes used and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Can all Attika wood-burning stoves and fireplaces be fuelled with wood briquettes?

Yes – all Attika stoves and fireplaces are suitable for use with hardwood and wood briquettes.

Any questions about the correct way to stoke the fire? Your Attika specialist partner will advise you personally – on the best choice of fuel and the correct amount for your model. Find a specialist partner near you now.

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