“Help! I bought too much firewood, and it’s taking over my yard!” We’ve heard this complaint way too many times. Now and then, people get so overzealous while shopping for firewood that they buy more than necessary. That’s why we want to help you figure out how much firewood you need.
Unfortunately, there’s not one concrete answer to this question. The amount of firewood you need depends on the situation. Throughout this piece, we’ll explain why getting kiln-dried firewood is the best option and what circumstances might change the size of your order.
A Quick Note on Firewood Sizes
Lumber companies don’t weigh firewood when someone places an order. Instead, firewood is measured in cords. A face cord of wood runs four feet high, eight feet wide and sixteen inches deep. A full cord, on the other hand, measures 128 cubic feet, meaning it’s much larger. Face cords are smaller to help with storage and accessibility when grabbing an individual piece of wood.
It’s worth noting that bundles are also available. Bundles consist of 4-6 pieces of wood; they’re perfect for smaller events.
Why Kiln-Dried Firewood is Your Best Bet
Now that we’ve clarified sizes let’s chat about what type of firewood you need! You can find seasoned firewood at your local gas station. Since it’s so accessible, it’s easy to fall under the trap and purchase it—little do you know this is a terrible mistake! Seasoned firewood is left out to dry in the elements. What’s more, it can take 6-18 months to dry completely. We don’t know about you, but we certainly don’t have time for that!
On the other side of the coin is kiln-dried firewood. Unlike seasoned firewood, kiln-dried wood is heated at a specific temperature for a certain amount of time. There are so many advantages to buying it; it almost seems too good to be true. Let’s discuss them below!
Kiln-dried firewood has a moisture content of less than 20%. The low moisture leads to hotter fires that last longer. What does this have to do with how much firewood you need? You need less of it in general! Because the fires are hotter and last longer, you don’t need as much as you would if you used seasoned firewood.
On top of this, you’ll also spend less money on firewood. Hoorah, for keeping more cash in your pocket! Also, it’s easier to store smaller amounts, meaning your yard won’t be overcrowded by wood. You can finally enjoy the outdoor space again!
Want to learn more about what makes kiln-dried firewood so great? Check out our complete guide on the topic.
So, by now you’re convinced getting kiln-dried firewood over seasoned firewood is the way to go! Now, let’s dive deeper into how much of it is needed depending on the situation.
The Right Amount of Firewood for Different Situations
Imagine you’re starving. You haven’t eaten all day and your tummy’s rumbling. Since you feel this way, you’ll likely have a huge meal when it comes time to eat. Conversely, you might only want a snack if you just need a little pick-me-up.
This analogy applies to firewood, as well. There’s no need to buy a full cord of wood when all you want is to start a bonfire. Read more below about how changing circumstances change how much kiln-dried firewood you need.
How Much Firewood Do You Need Per Day?
Keep in mind that kiln-dried firewood produces hotter flames and long-lasting fires. So, less is needed to produce the same burn as seasoned firewood. Still, the amount of firewood you’ll need per day depends on how long and often you plan to burn it. If you plan to burn a fire twice a week, a face cord can last a few months. If you plan to burn frequent fires, getting a few face cords isn’t a bad idea. On the other hand, the amount of firewood you need for one night will be significantly lower.
How Much Firewood Do You Need for a Bonfire?
There’s nothing better than eating s’mores around a bonfire. Though, it’s always sad when the flames fizzle out. If you want to keep the fun going, make sure you get enough firewood to last the night. In this scenario, it’s best to get a few bundles of wood. A bundle is made up of 4-6 pieces of wood. When lighting a bonfire, you should consider getting 1-2 bundles, depending on how long you think the night will last.
How Much Firewood Do You Need for Camping?
If you’re an outdoor adventurer, you’re probably trying to soak up every minute of summer. One way to do this is to plan multiple camping trips before the seasons change. There are a few things to keep in mind when determining how much firewood you need for a campfire.
The Length of the Trip
Consider the trip’s length when packing up wood for a campfire. Campers staying for an extended time might need a few bundles of wood. 3-4 bundles will certainly last a few days so that campers stay warm every night.
The Purpose of the Campfire
Another thing to think about is the purpose of the campfire. Are you using it strictly for warmth? If the season requires this, you might more than a couple bundles of wood to stay warm. However, if you’re only using the wood for cooking or making s’mores, you can purchase less.
How Much Firewood Do You Need for a Fireplace?
Soon, we’ll be trading bonfires and campfires for nights by the fireplace. Average fireplaces burn two to three logs at a time. Using this logic, a face cord of wood will last you several months.
How Much Firewood Do You Need for Winter?
Ugh! How do we start this blog talking about summer and end it discussing winter? Unfortunately, we’ll experience this transition in real-time in a few months. For this reason, you should know how much firewood you need for the winter.
A cord of wood generally lasts about ten weeks. So, it’s perfect for places that experience a few months of frigid air and then see the temperatures rise. However, in places like Illinois and Wisconsin, the winters are brutal. These residents should buy one to two face cords.
Do You Need Firewood in Illinois or Wisconsin?
Not getting a straight answer about something is frustrating. We don’t mean to annoy you, but the amount of firewood you need really depends on the situation. Remember that if the wood is low quality, you’ll end up with an inefficient burn, no matter what. For this reason, kiln-dried firewood is the way to go. Rest assured that you’ll get longer-lasting burns and hotter flames, meaning you won’t need as much as seasoned wood.
Lumberjacks has got your back when it comes to figuring out how much wood you need! We’ll happily answer questions and recommend sizes, depending on the situation. Give us a call at (815) 337-1451 to start your order today! We’ve streamlined our delivery service so that your order arrives ASAP.
