When you’re heating a narrowboat, space is tight, appliances are small, and every bit of fuel needs to count. That’s where briquettes come into their own. Whether you live aboard full time or cruise on weekends, compressed wood briquettes are one of the most efficient, tidy and low-maintenance fuels you can use in your narrowboat stove.
Here’s why they’re the go-to choice for boaters across the UK.
Compact size, big heat
Unlike chunky logs, briquettes are uniform and dense, meaning you can store a lot more fuel in a small area. That’s a game-changer on boats where every cubic inch of storage matters. Despite their size, they pack serious heat — burning hotter and longer than traditional firewood.
A single briquette can easily outperform a log of the same size in terms of heat output and burn time.
Clean burning = less mess onboard
Boat life doesn’t come with the luxury of sweeping up after every fire. Briquettes are low in ash, low in smoke, and contain no bark, insects or mess like raw firewood can. That means less cleaning and less risk of sooty build-up in your flue or cabin.
Moisture matters — and ours are dry
Narrowboat stoves are small and sensitive — and burning damp wood in a tight space? Not a good idea. Our briquettes are under 10% moisture, well below the Ready to Burn standard. That means they’re easier to light, burn hotter, and produce virtually no smoke when used in a suitable appliance.
Easy to store, easy to stack
Forget struggling with oddly shaped logs. Briquettes are uniform in shape, making them a dream to stack in tight corners, under benches, or even in plastic storage boxes. They arrive in easy-to-handle boxes, perfect for carrying along pontoons and towpaths.
Cleaner alternative to coal
Still burning house coal or smoky fuels? Briquettes are a clean, renewable alternative that work beautifully in multifuel stoves. And with many waterways now covered by smoke control rules, burning cleaner fuels is better for you — and your neighbours.
Perfect for off-grid living
Whether you're moored up in the countryside or navigating city canals, briquettes make heating simple, clean and reliable. Paired with our natural fire starters and kindling, they make fire-lighting a breeze even in winter damp.
Final thoughts
If you’re heating your boat with a log burner or multifuel stove, briquettes should be top of your list. They're hotter, cleaner, easier to store, and perfect for narrowboats where space is limited but comfort is essential.
Whether you’re a liveaboard or a weekend adventurer, The Logsmith’s premium briquettes are ready to transform your boat’s heating game.