There’s nothing quite like coming in from the cold to a roaring log fire in a wood-burning stove warming up your home. For many UK homeowners, a wood-burner provides a cosy ambience and takes the bite out of chilly evenings. 

When it’s time to stock up on fuel for your stove, you may be tempted to choose cheap firewood to save a bit of money. But, while that discounted bag of firewood or free timber from a local tree surgeon may seem like a good deal upfront, cheap firewood can cost you in other ways down the road. 

In this post, we’ll take a look at what exactly cheap firewood is, the potential drawbacks of using it, and why quality kiln-dried softwood is a better investment for your stove – and your wallet. We’ll also provide some top tips on how to identify high-quality firewood and why purchasing from a reputable supplier ensures you get the best product. Let’s get started!

What is cheap firewood?

When we talk about cheap firewood, we’re referring to logs or wood that is:

  • Unseasoned: Freshly chopped wood that hasn’t been properly dried. 
  • Poor quality: Cheaper wood species that have less heat output. 
  • Bagged supermarket firewood: Often mass-produced and damp. 
  • Uncertified: No assurances of quality or dryness. 

While these types of discounted firewood may seem affordable, they can also have some significant drawbacks. 

The drawbacks of cheap firewood 

Using sub-par cheap firewood in your stove can lead to a number of issues: 

Reduced heat output 

Fresh, ‘wet’ wood contains much more moisture, which can reduce heat output in your stove. Unseasoned wood wastes energy evaporating moisture rather than efficiently burning. 

Increased fuel consumption

Because of the reduced heat output, you’ll likely need to burn more wood to achieve the desired level of warmth. This results in going through your fuel supply faster. 

Chimney and stove maintenance costs

The excess moisture in cheap firewood leads to more creosote build-up in your chimney. Creosote is a by-product of burning wood and is flammable. Build-up raises your risk of a chimney fire and the need for costly chimney cleaning. 

Burning damp wood also increases the amount of tar and debris deposited in your stove. This requires more frequent maintenance and repairs. Replacing stove components like the baffle plate or catalytic combustor (where installed) can be expensive. 

Environmental impact 

Freshly chopped ‘green’ wood, treated wood, and cheap wood often contain higher levels of harmful smoke and pollutants when burned. This contributes more to atmosphere pollution and carbon emissions. 

Why kiln-dried softwood is the better choice 

Unlike unpredictable cheap firewood, quality kiln-dried softwood firewood offers efficiency, convenience and peace of mind. Here’s why it’s the best choice for your stove:

What is kiln-dried softwood?

Kiln drying is a process that uses heat and airflow to reduce the moisture content in woods like spruce and pine until it reaches around 20%. This makes it much easier to ignite and burn more efficiently. 

The wood is stacked in a kiln and slowly dried over several days to weeks to remove excess moisture from the logs. Dried softwoods provide an excellent heat output. 

Efficiency and heat output

With a very low moisture content, kiln-dried softwood burns hotter and more efficiently than wet wood. You’ll enjoy more heat output from your stove using less fuel. 

Reduced maintenance costs

The lack of excess moisture in kiln-dried wood results in minimal creosote buildup. This reduces the frequency of costly chimney cleanings. 

It also produces less tar and debris in your stove. That means less money spent on replacing components damaged by burning wet wood. 

Environmental benefits

Kiln-dried softwood burns much cleaner, releasing far less smoke and carbon emissions into the atmosphere. It’s a more eco-friendly option than burning non-dried or low-quality wood. 

Cost-effectiveness

While kiln-dried logs may cost a bit more upfront than cheap firewood, you’ll actually save money in the long run. 

The superior burn efficiency means the wood provides more heat using less volume. So, a smaller amount of kiln-dried logs lasts significantly longer than low-quality firewood. 

You’ll also avoid the future maintenance and repair costs from burning damp or poor-quality wood. This provides long-term savings on your stove and chimney upkeep. 

How to spot high-quality firewood

Not all firewood is created equal. Here are a few tips for identifying top-notch kiln-dried softwood:

  • Check the moisture content. High-quality kiln-dried logs should have a moisture content of 20% or less. 
  • Inspect the bark. The bark should be completely intact and tight around the wood, not falling off. 
  • Look for cracks. Minor surface cracks are normal, but deep splits can indicate the wood is poor quality or too dry. 
  • Seek out certification. Suppliers who have their firewood certified with the Woodsure ‘Ready to Burn’ mark adhere to standards for moisture content and quality. 
  • Assess the smell. Quality dried wood has an earthy aroma. A musty odour suggests too much moisture is still present. 

Why buy kiln-dried softwood from Direct Stoves?

If you want to ensure you’re getting excellent quality kiln-dried softwood for your stove, you’ve come to the right place! Here’s what you get when you purchase your firewood from us:

  • We only sell certified, kiln-dried logs with a verified low moisture content of 20% or less. 
  • Our firewood comes from sustainable forests, is FSC certified and carries the Woodsure Ready to Burn certification. 
  • You can choose from convenient firewood packs or bulk options. 
  • We deliver reliably throughout the UK on the date that suits you. 
  • Our firewood is competitively priced and comes with excellent customer service. 

Choosing the best wood makes all the difference when it comes to the performance, efficiency and reliability of your stove. So, bypass the questionable quality and potential headaches of cheap firewood this season by ordering your kiln-dried softwood from Direct Stoves today. 

Tips for storing your kiln-dried softwood 

Once your delivery of high-quality kiln-dried logs arrives, you’ll want to properly store them to keep the wood dry until you’re ready to use it. Here are some helpful storage tips:

  • Stack the logs off the ground on pallets or timbers to avoid dampness. 
  • Keep them covered – a tarp, breathable cloth, or log shed helps protect from rain and snow. 
  • Store in a sheltered area away from direct wind, rain, and sun exposure. 
  • Avoid storing near external walls which collect condensation. 
  • Bring logs inside to acclimatise before burning to prevent cold air being drawn up the chimney. 
  • Always keep a few days’ supply of firewood indoors to guarantee it is bone dry when burned. 

With quality kiln-dried softwood and proper storage, you’ll enjoy getting the most heat and efficiency from your wood burner throughout the UK winter. 

Visit our firewood section today to explore the excellent kiln-dried softwood options available. You can select from various convenient pack sizes or bulk load amounts to fuel your stove all winter. 

We deliver top-quality logs throughout the UK on the date that works for you. No need to lug home bags from the supermarket or worry about wet, poor-quality firewood this year. 

Give your stove the certified kiln-dried softwood it deserves, and enjoy taking the chill out of winter evenings. Place your order online today, and we’ll deliver dry, ready-to-burn logs direct to your home.