Deciding where to buy firewood sounds like a simple choice. However, sourcing your firewood from the wrong supplier can have unintended repercussions. If the wood hasn’t been properly dried, its moisture content will be too high, causing it to smoke excessively, snap, or crackle. It could also contain pests.
Our helpful guide answers important questions like, “Where can I get firewood?” so you can choose the best option for your next fire.
Where to Buy Wood for Fires
Where can you get firewood in your area? Here are a few common options.
Grocery Stores
Grocery stores are known for offering seasonal items, including firewood bundles in the winter. You can head to your nearest supermarket and load up on logs or easy-to-ignite firestarter bundles. Major chains typically use reputable suppliers, so your wood should be properly dried and ready to light.
There are some potential drawbacks to grocery store firewood, however.
For one, the logs may only be seasoned naturally rather than kiln-dried. Seasoned wood may vary in terms of moisture content, which can result in an inconsistent burn. Additionally, you won’t be able to purchase larger quantities, which means buying lots of individual bundles.
Gas Stations
If you’re wondering where to buy firewood, your neighborhood gas station may be an option, especially during the winter. Gas stations are always looking to provide convenience for their customers and make an extra buck. Stocking firewood during the colder months is an easy way to do both.
Like at grocery stores, though, you likely won’t be able to buy large quantities. Typically, gas stations only have small bundles or quarter cords at most. If you need quite a bit more, such as a half cord or face cord, gas stations aren’t the answer. Moreover, the quality of the wood can vary greatly.
Local Firewood Suppliers
Supporting local sellers is always a great choice, and many offer well-dried, quick-burning logs. Just pay close attention to quality.
Not all local suppliers properly season their firewood. For instance, roadside sellers typically set their logs out to dry and start selling as soon as the weather gets cooler. They may or may not kiln-dry the logs.
The wood shouldn’t sound dense or waterlogged when you bang two logs together. If it does, the moisture content is probably too high. Even worse, if the wood sits outside for an extended period and isn’t stacked properly, it can attract pests.
Buying Directly From Lumberjacks
Lumberjacks is a local supplier that offers kiln-dried firewood. Our logs exhibit consistent quality, and every bundle contains a mix of high-quality hardwoods, which may include oak, cherry, and hickory. As a premium supplier, Lumberjacks provides wood in a variety of quantities, which makes it easy to buy as much or as little as you need.
We also offer delivery or pickup to make things easy. Get the wood you need and let Lumberjacks fuel your next fire.
Opting for Pickup vs. Delivery
Once you decide where to buy firewood, you’ll have to get it where it needs to go. You’ve got two options.
Firewood Pickup for Quick Hauls
If you figure out where to buy firewood nearby and have a vehicle that can easily transport it, you can go pick it up yourself. Local pickup is a fast, convenient option, especially if you’re buying relatively small quantities of logs. Simply head to your local supplier, make your purchase, and return home to start your fire.
Make sure you store the wood in an area of your vehicle that’s easy to clean. It’s generally not a good idea to place logs on seats or fabric, as heavy or rough wood can damage upholstery.
If you aren’t eager to load your vehicle full of logs, consider delivery instead. Just know that delivery isn’t typically available from grocery stores or gas stations. That means you’ll need a trusted local supplier that offers reasonably priced delivery options.
Firewood Delivery for Total Convenience
Firewood delivery is by far the most convenient way to get logs for your fireplace or pit. Simply order the quantity you need, provide your address, and let the supplier take it from there.
The best suppliers offer straight-to-your-door delivery at a reasonable price. They’ll even stack the wood for you if you point them to where it needs to go.
If you won’t be home, you can leave some basic instructions for your supplier. For instance, you could have the firewood placed in your driveway or next to your shed so you can easily move it where you need it.
When you choose Lumberjacks, you can order firewood in your preferred quantity, including quarter-face cords, half-face cords, or the Jack Stack. If you like having fires frequently, ordering in bulk can save you money on wood and delivery costs.
How the Jack Stack Makes Things Even Easier
We created the Jack Stack for customers who want plenty of fuel for their fires in a neatly stacked bundle. Our stack is 4’x2’, which is the equivalent of a quarter-face cord. The Jack Stack provides enough wood for numerous fires.
Every standard Jack Stack includes a mix of different hardwoods, such as Oak and Hickory. Alternatively, you can choose a bundle of a specific species. Jack Stack options include oak, cherry, or hickory.
You can pick up your Jack Stack at our Woodstock or Lake in the Hills locations. Alternatively, you can arrange for delivery, which is the preferred option for many of our customers. Make your life a little warmer with firewood from Lumberjacks.
Choosing the Right Quantity Based on Your Needs
Since kiln-dried logs are brought down to the ideal moisture levels, they’ll last longer than seasoned wood, especially if you stack and store them properly. However, you don’t want to buy too much or too little wood.
With that in mind, consider how much firewood you’ll use and how often. The idea is to purchase enough to get through several weeks to several months of regular burning.
Not sure where to start? Contact a knowledgeable local supplier and discuss your burning habits to get a recommendation. You’ll need to provide some basic info about the size of your fires, as this will impact how much wood you use per burn. For example, a large outdoor fire pit will require much more fuel than a small fireplace.
Quality Matters More Than You Think
The quality of the wood you use will directly affect the cleanliness of the burn and how long the logs stay lit. The right wood will also generate adequate heat, ensuring that your home or outdoor space is comfortable.
When evaluating wood quality, start by determining whether it’s seasoned or kiln-dried. You should also inspect the wood to make sure it’s not holding excess moisture, mold, or pests. Lastly, verify that the logs are a hardwood species like oak or hickory. Softwoods don’t burn as consistently.
Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck
If you’re going to have fires regularly, you can save big by ordering in bulk. Another way to make your dollar go farther is to order mixed bundles. Unless you need all of your logs to be a specific species, opting for a mixed bundle will result in a lower order price.
However, you shouldn’t just buy the cheapest wood you can find. If you come across logs that are significantly cheaper than everything else in the area, the wood is likely low-quality or the wrong species. Either way, you could be in for a frustrating experience when it’s time to light your fire.
Is Kiln-Dried Really Better?
Absolutely. Kiln-dried firewood is brought to the ideal moisture levels in a climate-controlled kiln. The firewood producer sets the temperature and humidity to achieve the optimal level of dryness while also eradicating pests and mold. The result is firewood that lights easily and burns cleaner and longer than seasoned logs.
While properly seasoned wood will burn just fine, there can be a lot of variability in the seasoning process. Everything from how long the seller seasons the wood to the outdoor conditions during the seasoning process can impact moisture levels. Additionally, natural drying doesn’t eliminate all pests and mold growth.
Kiln-drying takes care of all of these variables, yielding high-quality wood that burns cleanly and consistently. Kiln-dried logs also produce less creosote, which is important when burning logs in your fireplace. Less buildup means less frequent cleaning and fewer airborne contaminants.
Get Superior-Quality Firewood From Lumberjacks
Stop scratching your head about where to buy wood and turn to Lumberjacks. Our kiln-dried logs burn clean and bright, with minimal smoke or noise. We offer mixed bundles in several different sizes, including our famous Jack Stacks. In addition to carrying firewood for sale, we also furnish cooking wood and mulch.
Don’t waste time hopping from place to place in search of quality firewood. Make Lumberjacks your go-to source and do fires better.
Contact us today to place your order or arrange for firewood delivery right to your door.
