Stock Up on Firewood Now Before Prices Rise
Cold weather has a habit of arriving before people feel ready for it. One week the evenings are mild, the next the stove is doing real work and the log basket is empty by teatime.
That is why now is the sensible time to stock up on firewood. We are back to full production, the kiln has been lit, and it is now running at its operating temperature of 75 degrees centigrade. The first fresh batch of logs for this year is already drying.
There is also a clear reason to order early this season. We still have dry wood from last year available at the old price of £80 per builders bulk bag, but that price cannot last forever. Our wood supplier has increased the cost to us, mainly because wood is heavy, awkward to move, and transport depends on expensive fuel.
Once the current dry stock is gone, new costs will have to be reflected in future prices. If you use logs through autumn and winter, buying now is the simplest way to avoid paying more later.
Dry firewood is ready now at the old price
Good firewood takes planning. It cannot be made dry at the last minute, and it cannot be rushed without the right equipment. Logs need heat, airflow, and time before they are ready to burn well.
At the moment, there is still stock of dry wood from last year available at £80 per builders bulk bag. That wood is already dry, ready for storage, and suitable for customers who want to fill the log store before winter demand builds.
That matters because once colder weather arrives, dry logs tend to move quickly. People who have waited through spring and summer often order at the same time, usually after the first chilly weekend or the first evening when the heating goes on.
Buying early gives you three useful advantages:
You secure wood at the current price
The old price applies to the dry stock that is already available. Once that stock is sold, new production costs will start to affect pricing.
You avoid the winter rush
Demand for firewood rises when the temperature drops. Ordering before the rush helps you avoid delays and last-minute pressure.
You start the season prepared
A full log store means no scrambling for fuel when the weather turns wet, windy, or icy.
Firewood is one of those products where timing makes a real difference. The logs may look simple, but the process behind them is anything but.
The kiln is running and new logs are drying
Kiln drying is a controlled process. The aim is to reduce the moisture in the timber so the logs burn more cleanly, more efficiently, and with less wasted energy.
Wet wood can be frustrating. It is harder to light, gives off less useful heat, and can create more smoke. A dry log, by contrast, catches more easily and gives a steadier burn. That means more heat into the room and less time spent poking, relighting, and wondering why the fire will not settle.
The kiln helps by creating a warm, consistent drying environment. Instead of depending only on the weather, the logs are dried under controlled conditions. This is especially useful in the UK, where damp air and unpredictable rain can slow natural seasoning.
The new batch will be ready once it has reached the right level of dryness. Until then, the current dry stock from last year is the best option for anyone who wants firewood now.
Why prices are going up
Nobody likes putting prices up, and customers deserve a plain explanation when costs change.
The main reason is simple: wood is heavy. Moving it takes machinery, labour, vehicles, and fuel. Every stage of the process has a cost, from bringing raw timber to the yard, to handling it, cutting it, drying it, bagging it, and delivering it.
Our wood supplier has increased prices to us because those costs have risen. Fuel is a major part of the problem. Heavy timber cannot be moved easily or cheaply, and when fuel costs more, the cost of moving wood rises too.
This affects the whole chain. Even before a log reaches the kiln, it has already required transport and handling. Then the drying process adds more cost, because the kiln must be run properly and safely. Once the logs are dry, they still need to be stored and moved again.
Here is the basic chain behind a bulk bag of firewood:
Stage | What it involves | Why it affects cost |
Timber supply | Sourcing and transporting raw wood | Heavy loads need fuel and suitable vehicles |
Processing | Cutting and splitting logs | Machinery, maintenance, and labour are required |
Drying | Kiln drying at controlled temperatures | Heat, time, and monitoring add cost |
Bagging and storage | Filling bulk bags and keeping logs dry | Space and handling matter |
Delivery or collection | Moving finished firewood to the customer | Weight and distance affect fuel use |
The old price of £80 per builders bulk bag applies to the dry wood we still have from last year. Future stock will reflect the increased cost of supply and production.
That is why the message is clear: if you know you will need firewood, buy before the price changes.
Dry logs make a better winter fire
A good fire starts with good fuel. The stove, open fire, or fireplace can only perform as well as the wood allows.
Dry logs have several practical benefits:
They light more easily.
They produce better heat.
They burn more consistently.
They create less smoke than wet logs.
They are easier to manage through long winter evenings.
When logs contain too much moisture, much of the heat goes into boiling off water instead of warming the room. That leads to a cooler, smokier, less satisfying fire.
Dry logs also make planning easier. If you have a builders bulk bag stored properly, you can bring logs in as needed and keep a steady supply close to hand. That is far better than trying to source dry logs during a cold snap, when demand is high and supply can tighten quickly.
How much firewood should you keep in stock?
The right amount depends on how often you burn logs. Someone who lights the stove every evening through winter will use much more than someone who only has occasional weekend fires.
As a rough guide, think about your normal pattern:
Occasional use
If you light a fire now and then, one builders bulk bag may be enough to keep you covered for a good stretch of the colder season.
Regular evening use
If the stove is part of your daily routine, it makes sense to keep more than one bag or order early enough to top up before the busiest period.
Heavy winter use
If firewood is a major part of your home heating, buying early is especially useful. It reduces the risk of running short when everyone else is ordering too.
A builders bulk bag is a practical size for many households because it gives a worthwhile amount of wood without needing the storage space of a loose load. It can be tipped, moved, or unloaded depending on access and delivery arrangements.
The key point is to plan before the weather forces the decision. It is much easier to arrange firewood on a dry autumn day than during a dark, wet week in January.
Store your firewood properly once it arrives
Dry logs stay at their best when they are stored well. A little care makes a big difference.
The aim is to keep rain off the logs while allowing air to move around them. Completely sealing logs under plastic can trap moisture and condensation, especially if the sides are covered too tightly.
Good storage usually means:
Keep logs off the ground where possible.
Cover the top to protect against rain.
Leave the sides open for airflow.
Stack logs loosely rather than packing them too tight.
Bring a small amount indoors before use so it can warm through.
A purpose-built log store is ideal, but a simple covered area can also work well. Pallets, open-sided shelters, and raised racks all help by keeping the wood away from damp ground.
Try not to store logs directly against a house wall for long periods, especially if the area gets wet. Leave space for airflow and check that water cannot pool underneath.
Why ordering early helps everyone
Ordering firewood early does more than save money. It also helps production and delivery run smoothly.
When orders all arrive at once, usually during the first cold spell, everything gets busier. Cutting, drying, bagging, loading, and deliveries all have to happen under pressure. Early orders spread that work out and help customers receive dry wood before the worst of the weather.
It also means you get the benefit of the dry stock that is ready now. The kiln is already working on this year’s production, but freshly dried logs take time to prepare properly. Firewood is not like picking up a packet from a shelf. It is a heavy natural product that needs processing with care.
For anyone who already knows they will use logs this winter, waiting offers little benefit. The current dry stock is available at the old price, while future batches will come through under higher supply costs.
Make the most of the current £80 bulk bag price
The simple message is this: dry firewood from last year is still available at £80 per builders bulk bag, but the price will rise once current stock is gone.
The kiln is running, the first new batch of logs is drying, and full production is under way. At the same time, supplier costs have gone up because timber is heavy to handle and expensive to transport.
If you have space to store logs, now is the time to fill it. You will start winter with dry wood ready to burn, avoid the rush, and secure the old price while it is still available.
Do not wait for the first frost to remind you. Stock up now, stack it well, and enjoy the comfort of knowing your firewood is ready before winter properly arrives.
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