What type of firewood do they actually need?
They should match the wood to the job. Indoor stoves and fireplaces usually benefit from dense hardwoods, while outdoor firepits can be more flexible.
When choosing firewood for sale, it helps to understand the difference between hardwoods and softwoods. Hardwoods like oak, maple, beech, ash, and hickory tend to burn longer and hotter. Softwoods like pine and spruce ignite quickly and are useful for kindling, shoulder-season fires, or quick outdoor burns, but they generally burn faster and can produce more popping.
Is the firewood seasoned or truly ready to burn?
“Seasoned” is often used loosely, so they should verify readiness rather than trust the label. Ready-to-burn firewood is dry enough to light easily and burn with steady flames and low smoke.
The simplest check is a moisture meter. They can ask to test a freshly split face of a log, not the outside, and look for readings around 20 percent moisture or lower for most stoves. Without a meter, clues include lighter weight, visible end cracks, and a hollow sound when two pieces knock together.
How can they tell if the seller is offering a fair quantity?
They should buy by a clear unit, not vague terms like “truckload.” The standard measure is a cord, defined as a tightly stacked pile measuring 4 feet by 4 feet by 8 feet.
Common partial measures include a face cord or rick, which usually means 4 feet high by 8 feet long, with the depth depending on log length. Because that depth varies, they should confirm the exact dimensions and the piece length before agreeing on price.
Are the log lengths cut to fit their stove or fireplace?
They should confirm length before delivery because resizing after the fact is tedious and often wasteful. Many stoves take 16-inch logs, but some accept 18 or 20 inches, and fireplaces can vary widely.
They can measure the firebox depth and aim for logs that are a bit shorter than the maximum, allowing airflow and easier loading. A “standard” length in one area may be wrong in another, so it is worth asking for an average length and a tolerance range.
Is the wood species mix what the listing claims?
They should ask what species are included and whether it is a true mix or mostly one type. Mixed hardwood can be great, but a load advertised as “oak” that is mostly lighter woods will not perform the same.
If they care about long overnight burns, they should prioritize denser species. If they want easy starts and lively flames, a blend including some lighter hardwoods can be convenient, as long as everything is properly seasoned.
Are there signs of rot, mold, or insect problems?
They should inspect before accepting the load if possible. Some surface mold can happen on stored wood and may not be a deal-breaker, but punky, soft, crumbling wood indicates rot and low heat output.
They should also watch for heavy insect activity, mud tubes, or piles of frass. Firewood can carry pests, so buyers often prefer wood sourced locally and stored off the ground. If the wood is being brought from far away, they should confirm it complies with local movement rules.
Was the firewood stored correctly before sale?
They should look for signs the wood had time and airflow to dry. Wood that was stacked loosely, off the ground, and covered on top tends to season better than wood kept in a heap or wrapped tightly in plastic.
If the seller claims it is “kiln-dried,” it should be very dry, very light, and typically priced higher. For many buyers, properly air-seasoned wood is perfect, but only if it was stored to keep rain and ground moisture from undoing the drying.
What questions should they ask before paying?
They should ask a few direct questions to avoid disappointment. These answers reveal whether the seller is precise or vague.
Good questions include: What species are included? What is the average log length? Is it sold by cord, half cord, or another measured stack size? What moisture level does it average on a fresh split? When was it split and stacked? Will it be dumped loose or stacked, and what is the stacking fee?
How can they compare prices without getting misled?
They should compare apples to apples by converting everything to a per-cord price. A cheap “pickup load” may be expensive once the actual volume is calculated.
They should also factor in delivery distance, stacking, and whether the wood is truly ready to burn. Dry wood costs more for a reason, and paying extra can be cheaper than fighting wet wood all winter.
What should they do right after delivery?
They should restack it with airflow and keep it protected from rain while leaving sides open to breathe. Even dry wood benefits from good storage, and borderline wood can still improve with time.
They should keep stacks off soil using pallets or rails, store it a short distance from the house to reduce pest risk, and bring in only what they will burn soon. If they are unsure about dryness, they can test several freshly split pieces and plan accordingly.
What’s the simplest checklist they can follow?
They should focus on a few high-impact checks. It prevents most bad purchases.
They should confirm the unit and dimensions, verify log length, test moisture on a fresh split, identify species or mix, and inspect for rot and pests. If the seller cannot answer clearly, it is usually safer to keep shopping.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What type of firewood is best for indoor stoves and fireplaces?
Dense hardwoods like oak, maple, beech, ash, and hickory are ideal for indoor stoves and fireplaces because they burn longer and hotter, providing better heat output.
How can I tell if firewood is properly seasoned and ready to burn?
Check the moisture content using a moisture meter aiming for around 20% or lower on a freshly split log face. Without a meter, look for lighter weight, visible end cracks, and a hollow sound when knocking two pieces together. Properly seasoned wood lights easily with steady flames and low smoke.
What is the standard measurement for purchasing firewood to ensure fair quantity?
Firewood is typically sold by the cord, which is a tightly stacked pile measuring 4 feet high by 4 feet deep by 8 feet long. Partial measures like face cords or ricks vary in depth, so confirm exact dimensions and log length before agreeing on price.
Why is it important to confirm log lengths before buying firewood?
Logs should fit your stove or fireplace to avoid tedious resizing after delivery. Many stoves take 16-inch logs, but some require 18 or 20 inches. Measuring your firebox depth and requesting logs slightly shorter ensures airflow and easier loading. Learn more about where to buy firewood near me: 5 things to check first.
How can I avoid bringing pests or rotten wood home with my firewood purchase?
Inspect the wood for signs of rot such as soft, crumbling texture, mold presence beyond surface spots, heavy insect activity, mud tubes, or piles of frass. Prefer locally sourced wood stored off the ground and verify compliance with local movement regulations if transported from afar.
What questions should I ask my firewood seller to ensure a good purchase?
Ask about species included in the load, average log length, unit of sale (cord or fraction), average moisture level on fresh splits, when it was split and stacked, delivery method (loose or stacked), and any stacking fees. Clear answers help avoid disappointment and ensure quality.