Log Delivery And What To Know Before You Order

Log delivery saves a lot of lifting, driving and hunting around for fuel once the weather turns. But not every load is the same, and a little checking before you order makes the difference between logs that light first time and a bag of damp wood that hisses in the stove.

Here is what to know about log delivery before you order, from bag sizes and Ready to Burn labels to what to do when the lorry pulls up.

Why Buy Delivered Kiln-Dried Logs

Kiln-dried logs have been dried in a kiln rather than left to air-dry outdoors, so a good supplier can deliver them ready to use. Defra advises only burning wood with a moisture content of 20% or less, because wetter wood produces more smoke, particles and tar and gives less heat. Buying dry logs means you can burn them straight away, without waiting up to two years for fresh wood to season. Our guide to kiln-dried versus seasoned logs explains the difference in more detail.

Delivery also takes the heavy work out of the job. A bulk bag of logs is far too much for most car boots, and having it dropped close to your log store saves several trips.

Bulk Bags, Crates And Nets

• Bulk bags: large woven builder’s bags, which HETAS puts at roughly 0.8 to 1 cubic metre each. The most common choice for a season’s supply.
• Crates: wooden crates or stillages, often with the logs stacked. Sizes vary, so ask for the volume.
• Nets and small bags: easy to carry and store, but HETAS notes they cost more per cubic metre than buying in bulk.

Stacked logs pack more wood into the same space than loosely tipped ones, so always ask whether a quoted volume is loose or stacked. If you are unsure how much to order, our guide to how many logs you need for winter will help you work it out.

What Ready To Burn Means When You Buy

In England, the rules on selling wood depend on the size of the load. According to the GOV.UK guidance on selling wood for domestic use, wood sold in volumes under 2 cubic metres must be certified Ready to Burn, meaning it has a moisture content of 20% or less. It must show the Ready to Burn logo, the supplier’s name and a unique certification number on the packaging or nearby.

Loads of 2 cubic metres or more do not need to be certified. Instead, the seller must give you a notice explaining that the wood may not be ready to burn and how to dry, store and check it first. So a large, cheap load could be wet wood that needs up to two years of drying. If you want to burn it this winter, ask whether it has been dried to 20% or below, whatever the volume.

Woodsure runs the Ready to Burn scheme for firewood, and HETAS explains that you can find a certified Ready to Burn supplier by postcode.

Questions To Ask When Checking A Supplier

A reputable supplier will be happy to answer these before you pay.

• What is the moisture content, and how is it checked? You are looking for 20% or less.
• Are the logs Ready to Burn certified? If so, ask for the certification number.
• What species are they? Hardwoods such as oak, ash and birch tend to burn longer; softwoods light easily but burn faster.
• How big is the bag or crate, and is that volume loose or stacked?
• How long are the logs? Check they will fit your stove.
• What vehicle delivers, and where can it drop the load? Mention narrow lanes, steep drives, gates or restricted parking.
• What is the delivery charge, and when will they arrive?

Local knowledge helps with access questions too. In Lancashire, for example, suppliers such as Empress Fencing supply kiln-dried logs in the Ribble Valley area, so they will know the lanes and villages they deliver to.

What To Expect On Log Delivery Day

• Clear the way. Move cars, bins and anything else from the drop spot, and make sure gates are open and wide enough.
• Agree the drop point. Get the load as close to your log store as the vehicle can safely manage, on firm, level ground.
• Check the label or paperwork. For loads under 2 cubic metres, look for the Ready to Burn logo and certification number. For larger loads, you should receive the drying notice.
• Test a few logs. If you have a moisture meter, HETAS advises splitting a log and measuring in the centre of the freshly split surface straight away, sampling logs from different parts of the load.
• Raise problems promptly. If the logs are clearly damp, mouldy or much less than you ordered, contact the supplier the same day.

Storing Your Logs After Delivery

Dry logs can pick up moisture again if they are left out in the rain, so move them into storage soon after delivery. HETAS recommends keeping logs off the ground, covered on top and open at the sides so air can circulate. Pallets make a good base.

Indoors, HETAS’s log storage advice is to bring in only what you will burn over the next two days, and to keep it in a rack or basket a safe distance from the stove, never on the hearth or against the appliance. For ideas on building or choosing a store, see our guide to storing your winter log supply.

A Quick Checklist Before You Book A Log Delivery

1. Work out roughly how much you need and check you have space to store it.
2. Confirm the moisture content is 20% or less, and look for Ready to Burn on loads under 2 cubic metres.
3. Ask about species, log length and whether the volume is loose or stacked.
4. Tell the supplier about any access issues and agree a drop point.
5. Have your covered, ventilated log store ready before the delivery arrives.

You will find more seasonal home and garden advice over at Beyond The Garden Gates.

Kaan Rassad

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