Is It Better to Buy Firewood in Bulk?

 

If you regularly use a wood-burning stove or open fire, buying small bags of logs every few days can quickly become expensive and inconvenient.

So, is it better to buy firewood in bulk?

For regular firewood users, the answer is usually yes.

Buying a larger quantity means you have dry firewood ready when you need it, fewer trips to buy logs and the convenience of having your firewood delivered directly to your home.

But there's an important catch:

You need to know what you're actually getting for your money.

Not every bulk bag or crate contains the same amount of firewood, and not all firewood has been dried or produced to the same standard.

At Surefire Wood, we've been producing firewood since 1989.

Our firewood is locally sourced from FSC® certified, well-managed forests before being processed and professionally kiln dried to below 20% moisture content.

Our logs are also Woodsure Ready to Burn.

So, if you're considering stocking up, here's what you should know before buying firewood in bulk.

Why Buy Firewood in Bulk?

The biggest advantage is convenience.

If your stove is used regularly during autumn and winter, you'll know how quickly a supply of logs can disappear.

Buying firewood in bulk means you can stock up rather than repeatedly buying small bags throughout the winter.

That gives you:

• A good supply of dry logs at home
• Fewer trips to buy firewood
• Home delivery
• Better preparation for cold weather
• A choice of quantities to suit your usage
• Consistent firewood from the same producer

And there's another advantage that's easy to overlook.

You know what you're going to be burning.

Instead of picking up different bags from different shops throughout winter, you can have a consistent supply of properly kiln-dried firewood ready at home.

Is Bulk Firewood Better Value?

It can be.

But don't compare firewood purely on the advertised price.

You need to compare how much actual wood you're receiving.

This is where buying firewood can become confusing.

You'll see products described as:

Dumpy bags.

Jumbo bags.

Super Jumbo bags.

Bulk bags.

Barrow bags.

Crates.

But those names don't tell you how much actual firewood you're getting.

The question shouldn't simply be:

"How much is the bag?"

It should be:

"How much actual firewood am I getting for my money?"

Don't Compare Firewood by Bag Name Alone

A Jumbo Bag from one supplier isn't necessarily the same size as a Jumbo Bag from another.

The same applies to Super Jumbo bags, dumpy bags and crates.

That's why Surefire Wood provides actual volume comparisons for its firewood.

For example, our current comparison guide gives both stacked volume and loose volume for different bag sizes.

Our XL Super Jumbo is listed at approximately 1.16m³ stacked volume and 1.7m³ loose volume, while a Jumbo Bag is approximately 0.67m³ stacked and 1m³ loose.

That's useful information because it allows you to make a proper comparison.

Don't buy based on the impressive-sounding name of the bag.

Compare the wood inside it.

Be Careful Comparing Firewood Crate Sizes

This is particularly important when comparing bulk bags with imported crates.

A crate might be advertised using its external dimensions.

But the external dimensions of a crate aren't necessarily the same as the volume of actual firewood inside it.

Surefire Wood's current comparison guide estimates that a typical 1.2m Eastern European crate contains approximately 0.9m³ of stacked logs.

Our XL Super Jumbo contains approximately 1.16m³ stacked, meaning substantially more actual firewood by that comparison.

That's why you need to look beyond the headline number.

If somebody advertises a "1.2m crate", ask:

Does that measurement refer to the crate or the actual firewood inside it?

There's a big difference.

You can see our firewood volume comparison guide for a clearer comparison.

Locally Produced Firewood vs Imported Logs

Price and volume aren't the only things worth comparing.

Ask where your firewood actually came from.

Surefire Wood has been producing firewood since 1989, sourcing timber locally from FSC® certified forests and processing and kiln drying it rather than simply reselling finished imported logs.

That gives us greater control over the firewood we're selling.

We control important parts of the process, including:

Sourcing → processing → splitting → drying → screening → packing

That matters because moisture content and consistency have a huge effect on the finished firewood.

We're not simply selling logs. We're a firewood producer.

Why We Split Our Logs Before Kiln Drying

This is an important part of producing properly dried firewood.

Surefire Wood saws and splits the timber before kiln drying it.

Why?

Because you want the log to be dry through to the centre, not simply on the outside.

Our existing guide to drying firewood explains that splitting before kiln drying helps the timber dry more thoroughly and quickly.

The finished firewood is then dried to below 20% moisture content.

If you'd like to understand the process in more detail, read our guide to kiln-dried firewood.

Why Moisture Content Matters When Buying in Bulk

Buying a massive quantity of cheap firewood isn't much of a bargain if the logs are wet.

Moisture content should be one of the first things you check before ordering firewood.

If timber contains excessive moisture, some of your fire's energy has to evaporate that water instead of contributing useful heat.

Surefire Wood firewood is professionally kiln dried to below 20% moisture content and is Woodsure Ready to Burn.

So before buying a bulk load from any supplier, ask:

What's the moisture content?

"Seasoned" isn't a precise measurement.

"Dry" isn't a precise measurement.

Below 20% is.

Is Bulk Softwood Good Value?

Yes.

One of the biggest mistakes when buying firewood is assuming anything labelled hardwood must automatically be better.

It isn't.

Surefire Wood's Premium Firewood predominantly contains Larch and Spruce.

Our current product information describes the Larch and Spruce mix as having a burn time comparable with less-dense hardwoods such as Birch and Alder.

Larch is relatively dense for a softwood and provides excellent heat when properly kiln dried.

More importantly, kiln-dried Larch and Spruce provide the type of strong, responsive heat many households want from their stove.

You come home.

The house is cold.

You light the stove.

You want heat.

That's where properly kiln-dried Larch and Spruce perform particularly well.

You can see the different quantities available in our Premium Firewood range.

What About Bulk Hardwood?

Surefire Wood also produces kiln-dried Premium Hardwood for customers who want a denser fuel.

Our Premium Hardwood predominantly contains Ash, Oak and Beech.

These are dense hardwood species particularly suited to sustained heat over longer periods.

So don't think of the choice as:

Softwood = cheap

Hardwood = good

That's far too simplistic.

A better way to think about it is:

Larch & Spruce → strong, responsive heat

Ash, Oak & Beech → sustained heat

Both are quality firewood.

Choose according to how you use your stove.

Birch Isn't the Same as Oak

This is worth understanding when comparing Surefire Wood with other suppliers.

A seller might advertise a crate as 100% hardwood.

Sounds impressive.

But which hardwood?

Birch is a hardwood.

Alder is a hardwood.

Oak is a hardwood.

Beech is a hardwood.

They don't all have the same density or burning characteristics.

That's why the word hardwood on its own doesn't tell you enough.

If you're paying considerably more for a hardwood crate containing Birch, compare it properly against quality kiln-dried Larch.

Don't pay extra purely for a botanical classification.

Look at:

Species + moisture + volume + quality + price.

For a more detailed explanation, read our guide to choosing the best firewood for a wood-burning stove.

Does Bulk Firewood Stay Dry?

Yes — as long as you store it properly after delivery.

Once you've bought professionally kiln-dried firewood, you want to keep it dry.

Ideally, store your logs somewhere:

• Protected from rain
• Off wet ground
• Well ventilated
• Conveniently accessible during winter

A covered log store with good airflow is ideal.

The objective is simple:

You've paid for dry logs, so keep them dry.

When Is the Best Time to Buy Bulk Firewood?

Before you desperately need it.

Waiting until the temperature drops and you're putting your last two logs into the stove isn't a great buying strategy.

If you have suitable storage space, stocking up beforehand means your firewood is already at home when you need it.

And because you're buying kiln-dried firewood, there's no need to buy it months in advance just so you can dry it yourself.

The hard work has already been done.

How Much Bulk Firewood Should I Buy?

That depends on:

• How often you use your stove
• How many fires or stoves you have
• Your available storage space
• Whether wood is your main or supplementary heat source
• How frequently you want deliveries

If you only light your stove occasionally, a smaller quantity may be more practical.

If you're burning logs most evenings throughout winter, buying a larger bulk quantity can save a lot of hassle.

Surefire Wood currently offers numerous formats, including Dumpy, Jumbo, Super Jumbo, Barrow and woven-bag options, so you don't have to buy a one-size-fits-all quantity.

Are Small Bags of Logs More Expensive?

They can work out more expensive if you're a regular firewood user.

Small bags are convenient when you only need a few logs.

But if you're repeatedly buying them throughout winter, you're also repeatedly paying for packaging, handling, retail margins and transport.

Buying a larger quantity directly from a firewood producer can make much more sense for regular users.

It also saves you from constantly wondering:

"Have we got enough logs for tonight?"

What Should You Check Before Buying Bulk Firewood?

Before ordering from any supplier, ask these questions:

1. What's the moisture content?

Look for properly dried firewood below 20%.

2. What species am I buying?

Don't accept "hardwood" or "softwood" as the whole answer.

3. How much actual firewood am I receiving?

Compare actual log volume rather than relying on bag names or external crate dimensions.

4. Where did the timber come from?

Locally sourced timber provides a clearer supply chain.

5. Who produced the firewood?

There's a difference between buying directly from a producer and buying logs that have passed through several resellers.

6. Is delivery included?

Check the final delivered cost rather than only the headline price.

7. How has the firewood been processed?

Splitting, kiln drying and screening all affect the finished product.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to buy firewood in bulk?

It can provide better overall value for households that regularly use firewood.

But don't compare price alone.

Compare the actual quantity of firewood, moisture content, species, delivery costs and quality.

Is buying a bulk bag of logs worth it?

Yes, particularly if you regularly use a wood-burning stove or open fire and have somewhere suitable to store the logs.

Having a good supply of kiln-dried firewood at home means you're ready when temperatures drop.

How dry should bulk firewood be?

Surefire Wood's logs are professionally kiln dried to below 20% moisture content and are Woodsure Ready to Burn.

Can I burn bulk firewood immediately?

Yes.

Properly kiln-dried Ready to Burn firewood is ready to use.

Store it correctly after delivery to keep it dry.

Is locally produced firewood better than imported firewood?

Being local doesn't automatically make a log better.

Moisture content, species and production quality still matter.

However, locally produced firewood gives you a clearer supply chain and avoids transporting timber unnecessarily long distances when suitable timber is available closer to home.

Surefire Wood sources its firewood locally and processes and kiln dries it itself.

How much wood is actually in a 1.2m crate?

Be careful with advertised crate dimensions.

Surefire Wood's comparison guide estimates that a typical 1.2m Eastern European crate contains approximately 0.9m³ of stacked logs.

Always check whether a seller is quoting the dimensions of the crate or the volume of actual firewood.

How much firewood is in a Surefire Wood Super Jumbo?

The current Surefire Wood comparison guide lists the XL Super Jumbo at approximately 1.16m³ stacked volume and 1.7m³ loose volume, with a ±5% tolerance.

Is Larch good firewood?

Yes.

Larch is relatively dense for a softwood and provides excellent heat when properly kiln dried.

Surefire Wood's Premium Firewood predominantly contains Larch and Spruce.

Is bulk softwood worth buying?

Yes.

Properly kiln-dried softwood provides excellent responsive heat and makes an excellent everyday firewood.

Don't assume a product is superior simply because it's labelled hardwood.

Should I buy softwood or hardwood logs?

Choose according to the type of heat you want.

Larch & Spruce → strong, responsive heat

Dense Ash, Oak & Beech → sustained heat

Both make excellent firewood when properly kiln dried.

Does Surefire Wood produce its own firewood?

Yes.

Surefire Wood has been producing firewood since 1989 and describes itself as a firewood producer rather than simply a reseller.

What sizes of bulk firewood does Surefire Wood sell?

Surefire Wood offers several options, including Dumpy Bags, Jumbo Bags, Super Jumbo Bags, Barrow Bags and pallet quantities of woven bags.

So, Is It Better to Buy Firewood in Bulk?

If you regularly burn firewood and have somewhere suitable to store it, yes.

Buying in bulk gives you a dependable supply of dry logs at home and removes the hassle of repeatedly buying small bags throughout winter.

But don't buy purely on price or because somebody advertises a massive-sounding crate.

Compare:

Actual quantity.

Moisture content.

Species.

Sourcing.

Production quality.

Delivery.

Surefire Wood has been producing kiln-dried firewood since 1989, with its logs kiln dried below 20% moisture content and Ready to Burn.

Know what you're buying — and know who produced it.

Buy Bulk Kiln-Dried Firewood from Surefire Wood

Whether you want strong, responsive everyday heat from predominantly Larch and Spruce or sustained heat from dense Ash, Oak and Beech, Surefire Wood offers bulk kiln-dried firewood in a range of quantities.

From Dumpy and Jumbo Bags through to Super Jumbo Bags and larger pallet quantities, you can choose an option that suits your firewood use and available storage space.

Shop Surefire Wood kiln-dried firewood and buy directly from a firewood producer established in 1989.