Summer is the perfect time to stock up on logs, making the most of your local supplier’s deals. As with most things, you’ll find that the more you buy, the better the deal you’ll get – also called bulk buying. 

However, there are a few things to be aware of when buying a lot of firewood at once – the wood you buy by the pallet is not necessarily the same as the wood you buy by the bag! 

Legally, your supplier must give you a note when you buy wood in volumes of over 2m³, providing you advice on how to season it, when it is safe to burn, and the dangers of burning wet wood. Find out more about this legislation in our deep-dive article. 

Unlike logs sold in smaller quantities which must be verified as Ready to Burn and come with the industry-known mark, larger quantities are only required by law to come with guidance, making sure you know how to store your wood and when it is safe to burn. 

Not sure how big 2m³ is? Picture your fridge freezer full of logs three times in a row – this is roughly two cubic metres.  

The advice above applies only to England – the rules currently do not exist in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland – although many suppliers will provide you with this advice to ensure you are burning responsibly. 

It is likely that the logs you’re buying in bulk will be unseasoned, meaning they will have a high moisture content and not be safe for burning.  

Unseasoned wood – also known as wet wood – is something that should never be burned in your log burner. Wet wood produces less heat, more emissions, and can seriously damage your stove and chimney – even leading to a house fire. 

Seasoning firewood is simple – the main ingredient is time. If you’re buying in bulk, you’ll probably have the room to keep all this wood, so the main thing to do is make sure it is stored properly. 

Logs can take up to 2 years to be seasoned, so make sure you’re buying your wood knowing it won’t be getting burned until a few winters in the future. 

Storing your wood – whether seasoned or unseasoned – is a vital step in keeping it suitable for your log burner. Investing in a log store or building your own is the best way to get your wood suitable for burning as soon as possible, and there are a couple of key things to take into account when storing your logs: 

• Make sure your logs are raised off the ground 
• Create plenty of air gaps between your firewood 
• Protect your wood from the elements 
• Try and give them plenty of sunlight and wind to speed up the process 

Full details – including how to store your Ready to Burn firewood indoors can be found in our log storage article. 

This handy little trinket is a must-buy for any stove enthusiasts. This will give you a cost-effective, quick, accurate reading of the moisture content of your logs – letting you know when they have 20% or less and are ready for safe, efficient burning. 

There are some tricks to checking if your wood is dry without a moisture meter, such as looking for cracked or split ends, feeling the weight of your log, and knocking two pieces together to listen for a hollow clunking sound – but a moisture meter is a surefire way to know when your firewood is ready to use. 

Read our guidance article for step-by-step instructions on how to use a moisture meter. 

Some of your logs you bought in bulk may have seasoned in less than two years, and some may be lagging behind the rest. Using a moisture meter takes the guesswork out and lets you know you’re burning wood that gives you more heat, less smoke, and less emissions.