Is It Better to Buy Firewood in Bulk?

 

If you regularly use a wood-burning stove or open fire, buying small bags of logs every few days can quickly become inconvenient.

So, is it better to buy firewood in bulk?

For regular firewood users, the answer is usually yes.

Buying a larger quantity means you have dry firewood ready when you need it, fewer trips to buy logs and the convenience of having your firewood delivered directly to your home.

But there's an important catch:

You need to know how much firewood you're actually getting for your money.

Not every bulk bag or crate contains the same amount of wood, and not all firewood has been sourced, dried or processed to the same standard.

At Armstrong Country Store, we've been producing kiln-dried logs and kindling since 1989.

Our firewood is locally sourced from FSC®100% certified, well-managed forests before being sawn, split and kiln dried in our purpose-built kilns.

It's then triple screened to remove excess bark and dust.

The finished logs are below 20% moisture content, Woodsure Ready to Burn and available for home delivery throughout the UK.

So, if you're thinking about stocking up, here's what you should know before buying firewood in bulk.

Why Buy Firewood in Bulk?

The biggest advantage is convenience.

If you regularly use your stove during autumn and winter, you'll know how quickly a supply of logs can disappear.

Buying firewood in bulk means you can stock up rather than repeatedly buying small bags throughout the winter.

That gives you:

• A good supply of dry firewood at home
• Fewer trips to buy logs
• Home delivery
• Better preparation for cold weather
• A choice of quantities to suit your usage
• Consistent firewood from the same producer

There's another advantage that's easy to overlook.

You know what you're going to be burning.

Instead of picking up different bags from different shops throughout winter, you have a consistent supply of properly kiln-dried firewood ready at home.

Is Bulk Firewood Better Value?

It can be.

But don't compare firewood purely on the advertised price.

You need to compare how much actual wood you're receiving.

This is where buying firewood becomes confusing.

You'll see:

Bulk Bags.

Jumbo Bags.

Super Jumbo Bags.

Builders Bags.

Barrow Bags.

Crates.

But those names don't tell you how much actual firewood you're getting.

A Jumbo Bag from one supplier may be completely different from a Jumbo Bag sold somewhere else.

The question shouldn't simply be:

"How much is the bag?"

It should be:

"How much actual firewood am I getting for my money?"

Compare Actual Firewood Volume, Not the Name of the Bag

At Armstrong Country Store, we publish both the stacked and loose volumes of our different firewood quantities.

For example, our current comparison guide shows approximately:

• Dumpy Bag — 0.55m³ stacked / 0.8m³ loose
• Jumbo Bag — 0.65m³ stacked / 1.0m³ loose
• Super Jumbo Bag — 1.17m³ stacked / 1.7m³ loose
• 6 Barrow Bags — 1.1m³ stacked / 1.6m³ loose
• 72 Woven Bags — 1.55m³ stacked / 2.4m³ loose

A tolerance of +/-5% applies.

That makes it much easier to compare what you're actually buying.

Don't be impressed by the name of a bag.

Compare the amount of firewood inside it.

You can see the full Armstrong Country Store Firewood Comparison Guide.

Be Careful Comparing Imported Firewood Crates

This is particularly important when comparing bulk bags with imported crates.

A crate might be advertised as a 1.2m crate, which sounds substantial.

But does that mean you're receiving 1.2m³ of actual firewood?

Not necessarily.

Armstrong Country Store's comparison guide estimates that a typical 1.2m Eastern European crate contains approximately 0.9m³ of stacked logs.

Our Super Jumbo, by comparison, contains approximately 1.17m³ stacked.

That's around 30% more firewood by this comparison.

So don't automatically compare:

1.2m crate vs 1.2m bag

and assume you're getting roughly the same amount of wood.

Ask:

How much actual stacked firewood is inside?

That's the number that matters.

Locally Sourced Firewood vs Imported Logs

Quantity isn't the only thing worth comparing.

Ask where the timber came from and who produced the finished firewood.

Armstrong Country Store isn't simply an online retailer buying finished imported logs and reselling them.

We've been producing kiln-dried logs and kindling since 1989.

Our firewood is locally sourced from FSC®100% certified, well-managed forests.

We then process the timber ourselves.

The wood is:

Sawn → split → kiln dried → screened → packed

That gives Armstrong Country Store control over the finished firewood rather than relying on somebody else's production process.

We produce the firewood we sell.

Why We Split Our Logs Before Kiln Drying

This is an important detail.

Our timber is sawn and split before it goes into our purpose-built kilns.

Why?

Because we want moisture removed from the middle of the logs, not simply the outside.

Once kiln dried, our logs are below 20% moisture content.

They're then triple screened to remove excess bark and dust before being packed for customers.

The result is properly prepared firewood that's ready when you need it.

Why Does Armstrong Country Store Triple Screen Its Firewood?

Because you're paying for firewood.

During firewood processing, loose bark, dust and smaller pieces are naturally created.

We don't want to fill your bag with unnecessary debris.

That's why Armstrong Country Store's logs are triple screened after kiln drying to remove excess bark and dust.

Our comparison guide states that brash accounts for a maximum of 5% of small pieces of burnable wood and that there is very little or no bark on the finished logs due to the drying and screening process.

That matters when you're comparing value.

A big bag isn't necessarily good value if a significant part of what you're paying for isn't actually usable logs.

Why Moisture Content Matters When Buying in Bulk

Buying a huge quantity of cheap firewood isn't much of a bargain if the logs are wet.

Moisture content should be one of the first things you check before ordering firewood.

If timber contains excessive moisture, some of the fire's energy has to evaporate that water instead of contributing useful heat.

Armstrong Country Store firewood is professionally kiln dried to below 20% moisture content and is Woodsure Ready to Burn.

So before ordering bulk firewood from any supplier, ask:

What's the moisture content?

"Seasoned" isn't a precise measurement.

"Dry" isn't a precise measurement.

Below 20% is.

Is Bulk Softwood Good Value?

Yes.

Properly kiln-dried softwood makes excellent everyday firewood.

One of its biggest advantages is strong, responsive heat.

Think about how you actually use your stove.

You come home.

The house is cold.

You light the stove.

You want heat.

That's where properly kiln-dried softwood makes sense.

It helps establish a strong fire and gets useful heat into the room quickly.

Armstrong Country Store specialises in kiln-dried softwood because it provides exactly the type of responsive heat many households want from their stove.

Isn't Hardwood Better Than Softwood?

No.

This is one of the biggest misconceptions when buying firewood.

The words hardwood and softwood are botanical classifications — not firewood quality ratings.

Birch is a hardwood.

Alder is a hardwood.

Oak is a hardwood.

Larch is a softwood.

But those species don't all have the same density.

Larch is relatively dense for a softwood, while hardwoods such as Birch and Alder are considerably less dense than heavy hardwood species such as Oak.

So don't automatically pay extra because somebody has written "hardwood" on a crate.

Ask:

Which hardwood?

Then compare the actual species, moisture content, quantity and price.

Don't Pay for a Hardwood Label

This matters particularly when comparing imported crates of Birch or other less-dense hardwoods with locally produced kiln-dried softwood.

The hardwood label sounds premium.

But you're buying fuel, not a botanical classification.

Look at what matters:

How dry is it?

How much am I getting?

Which species am I getting?

Who produced it?

Where did it come from?

What's the delivered price?

A properly kiln-dried softwood can be a much better purchase than paying a premium simply because an imported crate carries the word hardwood.

Does Bulk Firewood Stay Dry?

Yes — as long as you store it correctly after delivery.

Once you've paid for professionally kiln-dried firewood, you want to keep it dry.

Ideally, store your logs somewhere:

• Protected from rain
• Off wet ground
• Well ventilated
• Conveniently accessible during winter

A covered log store with good airflow is ideal.

The principle is simple:

You've paid for dry firewood, so keep it dry.

When Is the Best Time to Buy Bulk Firewood?

Before you desperately need it.

Waiting until you've put your last couple of logs into the stove on a freezing evening isn't a great buying strategy.

If you have suitable storage space, stocking up beforehand means your firewood is already there when temperatures fall.

And because Armstrong Country Store firewood has already been professionally kiln dried, you're not buying wet timber that needs to sit around for months before you can use it.

It's Ready to Burn.

How Much Bulk Firewood Should I Buy?

That depends on:

• How frequently you use your stove
• How many fires or stoves you have
• Your available storage space
• Whether firewood is your main or supplementary source of heat
• How frequently you want deliveries

If you only light your stove occasionally, a smaller quantity may make sense.

If you're burning logs most evenings throughout winter, buying a larger bulk quantity can save a lot of hassle.

Armstrong Country Store currently offers several options, including bulk bags, larger bulk bags, barrow bags and woven-bag quantities.

Browse the Armstrong Country Store firewood range to compare the different options.

Are Small Bags of Logs More Expensive?

For occasional use, small bags are convenient.

But if you're repeatedly buying small bags throughout winter, buying a larger quantity can make much more sense.

It also means you don't have to keep wondering:

"Have we got enough logs for tonight?"

Instead, you've got a supply of properly kiln-dried firewood at home and ready when you need it.

Does Armstrong Country Store Deliver Bulk Firewood?

Yes.

Armstrong Country Store offers firewood delivery throughout the UK, and its current qualifying bulk firewood listings state that delivery is included in the product price.

Armstrong Country Store has also been supplying kiln-dried logs and kindling to British and Irish supermarkets and fuel distributors for more than 30 years.

So you're buying from an established firewood producer rather than a business that has recently started buying and reselling logs online.

What Should You Check Before Buying Bulk Firewood?

Before ordering bulk firewood from any supplier, ask:

1. What's the moisture content?

Look for properly dried firewood below 20%.

2. How much actual firewood am I receiving?

Compare stacked or loose log volume rather than relying on impressive-sounding bag or crate names.

3. What species am I buying?

Don't assume hardwood automatically means better.

4. Where did the timber come from?

Look for traceable, responsibly sourced timber.

5. Who produced the firewood?

There's a difference between buying from a producer and buying imported finished logs from a reseller.

6. Has it been properly processed?

Splitting before kiln drying helps dry the centre of the logs.

7. Has the finished firewood been screened?

You want to pay for logs, not excessive bark and debris.

8. What's the delivered price?

Always compare the final price rather than a headline figure that excludes delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to buy firewood in bulk?

It can provide better overall value and convenience if you regularly use firewood.

But don't compare price alone.

Compare the actual quantity of logs, moisture content, species, quality and delivered price.

Is buying a bulk bag of logs worth it?

Yes, particularly if you regularly use a wood-burning stove or open fire and have somewhere suitable to store your logs.

Having a supply of kiln-dried firewood at home means you're ready when temperatures drop.

How dry should bulk firewood be?

Armstrong Country Store's firewood is professionally kiln dried to below 20% moisture content and is Woodsure Ready to Burn.

Can I burn Armstrong Country Store firewood straight away?

Yes.

Armstrong Country Store firewood is kiln dried below 20% moisture content and is Woodsure Ready to Burn.

Keep it dry after delivery and it's ready when you need it.

Is bulk softwood worth buying?

Yes.

Properly kiln-dried softwood provides excellent responsive heat and makes excellent everyday firewood.

Don't assume a product is superior simply because it's labelled hardwood.

Does softwood give good heat?

Yes.

Properly kiln-dried softwood provides excellent, responsive heat.

It's particularly useful when you want to light your stove and start getting useful warmth into the room quickly.

Is hardwood always better than softwood?

No.

Hardwood and softwood are botanical classifications, not quality grades.

Less-dense hardwoods such as Birch and Alder don't automatically outperform quality kiln-dried softwood.

Is kiln-dried softwood better than wet hardwood?

Yes.

If your choice is properly kiln-dried softwood or wet hardwood, choose the dry firewood.

A hardwood label doesn't compensate for excessive moisture.

How much wood is in a 1.2m imported crate?

Be careful with advertised crate dimensions.

Armstrong Country Store's comparison guide estimates that a typical 1.2m Eastern European crate contains approximately 0.9m³ of stacked logs.

Always check whether the measurement refers to the outside dimensions of the crate or the actual firewood inside.

How much firewood is in an Armstrong Country Store Super Jumbo?

Armstrong Country Store's current comparison guide lists the Super Jumbo Bag at approximately 1.17m³ stacked volume or 1.7m³ loose volume, subject to a +/-5% tolerance.

Why does Armstrong Country Store screen its firewood?

The logs are triple screened after kiln drying to remove excess bark and dust.

This means customers receive a cleaner finished product with less unnecessary debris in the bag.

Where does Armstrong Country Store firewood come from?

Armstrong Country Store firewood is locally sourced from FSC®100% certified, well-managed forests before being processed and kiln dried.

Does Armstrong Country Store produce its own firewood?

Yes.

Armstrong Country Store is a family-run business established in 1989 and has supplied kiln-dried logs and kindling to British and Irish supermarkets.

The timber is sawn, split, kiln dried and screened as part of Armstrong Country Store's production process.

Does Armstrong Country Store deliver firewood throughout the UK?

Yes.

Armstrong Country Store offers home delivery throughout the UK.

So, Is It Better to Buy Firewood in Bulk?

If you regularly burn firewood and have somewhere suitable to store it, yes.

Buying in bulk gives you a dependable supply of dry logs at home and removes the hassle of repeatedly buying small bags throughout winter.

But don't buy purely on price or because somebody advertises a massive-sounding crate.

Compare:

Actual quantity.

Moisture content.

Species.

Sourcing.

Production quality.

Delivered price.

Armstrong Country Store has been producing kiln-dried logs and kindling since 1989. Our firewood is locally sourced, kiln dried below 20% moisture content, triple screened and Woodsure Ready to Burn.

Don't just ask how much the bag costs. Ask how much quality firewood is actually inside it.

Buy Bulk Kiln-Dried Firewood from Armstrong Country Store

Armstrong Country Store offers locally sourced kiln-dried firewood in a range of quantities to suit different homes and levels of use.

From bulk bags and barrow bags through to larger quantities of convenient woven bags, you can choose an option that works for your stove and available storage space.

Our firewood is professionally kiln dried below 20% moisture content, Woodsure Ready to Burn and available for home delivery throughout the UK.

Shop kiln-dried firewood from Armstrong Country Store and buy directly from a family firewood producer established in 1989.