The evening turns cool, the fire crackles in the fireplace, and the only question is: will the supply last through the winter? Anyone who has heated with logs so far and is now thinking about wood briquettes wants to know one thing above all before the first pallet is delivered: how much firewood is actually in there?
The short answer first
All results are guide values and differ depending on certain characteristics of the wood species and the briquettes. But in general there is a rule of thumb that makes your supply plannable.
This figure is not an advertising claim but the result of a traceable calculation. We will show it to you now.
How much does a pallet of wood briquettes weigh?
Before calculating, it is worth looking at the pallet weight, because there are differences here. Common weights in retail are 780 kg, 800 kg, 960 kg and 1,000 kg. What sits on the pallet is usually 10 kg packs, neatly stacked and protected in film.
At HEIZFUXX® you will find the briquettes clearly sorted. RED stands for hardwood products, i.e. high density and long-lasting embers. BLUE stands for softwood products that heat up faster and give a lively flame. This classification helps you choose the right pallet for your stove without fighting through technical data sheets.
For the calculation we take a 1,000 kg pallet as an example below. For other weights simply calculate proportionally.
The calculation: from pallet to stacked cubic metre
The most honest comparison is via the calorific value, i.e. the energy contained in one kilogram of fuel.
Wood briquettes deliver around 5 kWh per kilogram. Air-dried logs come to about 4 to 4.5 kWh per kilogram. The reason for the difference lies in residual moisture and compaction, more on that in a moment.
The equation therefore looks like this:
1,000 kg wood briquettes × 5 kWh/kg = around 5,000 kWh heating energy
These 5,000 kWh correspond to the calorific value of around 3 stacked cubic metres of beech logs. Conversely, a simple ratio per kilo results: one kilogram of wood briquettes provides roughly as much heat as 1.2 to 1.3 kilograms of firewood. One tonne of briquettes therefore does what you would need to stack around 1.25 tonnes of logs for.
For quick orientation, this overview:
| Quantity of wood briquettes | Approximate calorific value | Equals firewood |
| 1 pallet (approx. 1,000 kg) | approx. 5,000 kWh | approx. 3 stacked m³ |
| 100 kg | approx. 500 kWh | approx. 0.3 stacked m³ |
| 1 pack (10 kg) | approx. 50 kWh | approx. 12 to 13 kg of logs |
The values are guide values. Depending on the wood species, the degree of drying of your old firewood and the compaction of the briquettes, the ratio shifts slightly. As a planning figure for the winter supply, the rule of thumb of three stacked cubic metres per tonne is reliable.
Why wood briquettes give more heat per kilo
The difference in calorific value has a factual reason, and you should know it because it explains the whole calculation.
Freshly felled wood contains a lot of water. Even well-seasoned logs have a residual moisture of 15 to 20 percent. Every bit of water in the wood costs energy, because it first has to evaporate during combustion before heat goes into the room.
Wood briquettes are pressed from dried sawdust and residual wood under high pressure. Their residual moisture is below 10 percent, often even below 8 percent. Less water and a denser structure mean: more of what you buy actually becomes heat. That is the core of it all.
Conclusion: the rule of thumb is a ratio of 1:3
You now know the calculation. With a 1,000 kg pallet and air-dried beech, the ratio of 1:3 fits well. With lighter pallets or very dry logs, the value may deviate slightly. What remains is choosing the right pallet. For long-lasting embers and continuous operation, go for HEIZFUXX® RED hardwood; for quick lighting and a lively flame, HEIZFUXX® BLUE softwood. This secures your basic supply of warmth for the whole season, neatly stacked and ready when the next cool evening comes.
HEIZFUXX® · SIMPLE. CLEVER. HEATING.
Wood pellets, wood briquettes, firewood, kindling, peat briquettes and hard coal – by the bag at DIY stores, by the pallet online. Where to get HEIZFUXX®.