Buying firewood

[fallschirmjager]

I will be inheriting a wood burner in my new home shortly and was wondering about the purchase of wood. I see there are websites selling wood though obviously have no idea whether this is the expensive option. Is it cheaper buying from local suppliers or is buying online better? Anyone know of good suppliers in South Norfolk if this is indeed the best option?

Thanks.

 

[paulc]

Buying or scrounging locally is always going to be cheaper than buying from an online source. You are not having to pay for shipping, which can be quite expensive. A quick scout round, http://malida-firewood.co.uk/ looks to be quite reasonable at £190 for 3m³, and they will deliver for free as far north as Bungay.

 

[88v8]

Seasoned hardwood only.

Best to use the longest that will go in the stove - normally sold in 10", 12", 15" lengths.
Depending how split it is, you may want to split some of it further to help starting the fire.
A maul is better than an axe, doesn't jam.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6Lb-HICKORY-LOG-SPLITTING-MAUL-WOOD-CHOPPING-FIRE-TREE-GARDEN-SILVERLINE-793747/273895506074?epid=19012044089&hash=item3fc571c09a:g:kfwAAOSwiR5dCgXQ

And make sure the wood really is seasoned. When first we moved here, I had a supplier deliver some 'seasoned wood' that was so wet I could have wrung it out, and it still had green ivy on it.
Check with a moisture meter. Dry wood is about 25%
This won't be laboratory accurate, but near enough.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DAMP-DETECTOR-WALL-MOISTURE-METER-PLASTER-WOOD-CARAVAN/223611660611?hash=item34104b2943:g:QTsAAOSwMuBcrL6b

To store the wood, needs to be covered from the rain, but airy.

We get through about three tons a year in our two stoves.

Here's where I buy, not that it's any help to you.
https://elcombefirewood.co.uk/product-category/logs/guaranteed-seasoned-logs/

And if the stove doesn't have one, do fit a thermometer. A few quid. One cannot tell the temperature by looking at the fire, and too cold leads to tarring, while too hot will distort the stove casing.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stovax-Magnetic-Flue-Pipe-Thermometer-Stoves-Wood-Multi-fuel/253431151422?epid=1442853775&hash=item3b01ac7b3e:g:Hv8AAOSwKIdahutV
Fit it about a foot above the stove. If the stove pipe is stainless, the magnet won't work, just use a self-tapper.

Ivor

 

[Me!]

Anyone know of good suppliers in South Norfolk

I've been buying from LogsLogsLogs in Beccles for years. They are not the cheapest, however their logs are the driest I have ever bought from anywhere. They deliver to South Norfolk.

 

[fallschirmjager]

Thank you for your replies. I am going to buy local and will try the shop in Beccles.

Another question: Is it cheaper to heat the house with wood burners or with oil filled radiators?

Thanks.

 

[george2019]

Too many variables in that question, but electric is generally the most expensive form of heating except for heat pumps.

 

[Flyfisher]

Yes, mains electricity is generally the most expensive form of heating, although it is pretty much 100% efficient in the sense that all the electricity you pay for at the meter can be converted into heat.

Last time I checked, burning wood was more expensive than burning coal on a cost-per-BTU basis, although the cost of firewood seems to vary a lot so perhaps this is not always the case.

 

[fallschirmjager]

Thank you for the feedback

 

[Bogart]

Hi

I live south of Norwich and have lots of seasoned wood available. Often I give it to a gardener in exchange for him doing some work. If you wanted some of mine I am sure we can sort something out, including
a Period Property UK discount.

Regards