When the nights grow colder and the promise of fireside warmth beckons, there’s an art to turning raw logs into glowing embers. Preparing firewood isn’t just about stacking logs—it’s about cultivating cosy evenings, whether in a countryside cottage or in a woodland retreat. Here’s the ritual to master before winter really knocks at the door.
1. Choose Wisely: What Kind of Firewood to Buy
First step: decide whether to buy firewood or source your own logs. If time is short or the forest isn’t kind, go with a reputable supplier. Look for hardwoods (oak, ash, birch) over softwoods—they burn longer and cleaner. When ordering, aim for wood that’s already seasonally cut or partially dried. Yes, a stack of damp logs might look cosy, but it is the energetic equivalent of trying to toast marshmallows over a mist.
So, when that supplier asks whether to sell seasoned or green, choose seasoned—even if the price is a touch higher. It’s worth avoiding the steam show in your living room. For cosy nights indoors and weekends by the fire, buy firewood from Forest Fuel’s premium selection, delivered conveniently to your home
2. Splitting: The Fine Line Between Muscle and Precision
When logs arrive (or you felled them yourself during an adventurous travel detour), split them soon. A thick log left whole dries slowly—and might sprout fungi instead of flames. Use a sharp axe, splitting maul, or for the more mechanically inclined, a wood splitter.
Here’s a little trick: split logs to the width that fits naturally in your fireplace or firepit. Avoid overly large chunks—they take ages to eat through. Plus, smaller pieces stack more efficiently. For efficiency’s sake, split before too dry, while the fibres are still fresh, then let them finish drying.
3. The Drying (Seasoning) Process: Don’t Rush the Patience
Good firewood needs time. After splitting, stack the pieces off the ground (to prevent ground moisture creeping up) in a well-ventilated spot—ideally under cover but open to airflow. Criss-cross the layers or use spacers so air circulates freely between logs.
Aim for at least 6–12 months of drying for freshly cut hardwood. That means planning one winter ahead of use. Seasoned wood feels lighter, shows small cracks at the ends, and makes a hollow sound when knocked together. Fresh, unseasoned wood is heavier, darker, and still damp inside.
If time is short (hello, surprise cold snap!), faster methods exist—solar kilns, or drying in covered sheds with fans—but nothing replaces patient outdoor seasoning.
4. Storage: Keeping Dry and Accessible
A great stack is ruined by one torrential downpour. Once logs reach proper dryness, move them into a semi-covered store—roof overhead, sides open or screened. Keep them a foot or two away from exterior walls to let air circulate and prevent damp creeping in.
Bring in just enough for a few days into the house at a time, rather than hoarding the entire stash indoors (unless one is building their own indoor log fortress—and that’s only suggested for the truly obsessed). Place logs near the firepit or fireplace, but avoid letting sparks land on wood storage.
5. Firepit Essentials: From Wood to Warmth
A firepit adds magic to back-yard evenings or remote holiday camps. Start fires with small kindling and progressively add split logs. Choose woods that coil fragrant smoke or soft crackle—birch gives cheerful tones, oak gives long burn, cherry gives fruity scent. Rotate wood usage so that older, drier logs get used first.
Invite guests, maybe roast chestnuts or tell stories—the fire becomes part of the experience, not just warmth.
6. When to Order: Timing and Supply Strategy
Because seasoned wood takes months, it’s wise to buy firewood in late summer or early autumn. That way, by midwinter, it reaches perfect dryness. Storing early lets you dodge the mad dash or price hikes once snow starts dancing outside.
If local supply is limited, consider partnering with rural hosts or lodges encountered during travels. Some even pre-cut and ship to holiday cottages or remote cabins—so a stack is waiting at your arrival.
Final Flame Thoughts
Getting firewood ready is part science, part ritual—and every crackle tells a story of care. Whether firelight flickers behind a cabin window or warms guests around a campfire, the right prep turns logs into more than heat—they become ambiance.
When the first frost whispers and the nights grow long, there will be nothing quite as satisfying as striking that first properly seasoned log. And yes, that’s when the decision to buy firewood ahead of time pays off. Don’t wait until your last match flares—make the call early so winter nights are full of glow, not guesswork.
Disclosure: This is a featured post.