When the sun is shining, you could be forgiven for not thinking about buying winter fuel. Although a roaring fire might be the last thing on your mind, early summer is a great time to stock up on logs. Thinking ahead will save you money and your home will be well prepared before the first frost hits. We share some tips to help you plan your fuel purchases in advance.
Buy Fuel for Log Burners Early
One of the biggest benefits of buying your winter fuel during the warmer months is the fact that it can help to ensure your wood is in peak condition. It’s important to use well-seasoned wood for your log burner. As well as burning more cleanly, it helps to reduce soot from building up in your chimney flue, and it keeps your stove glass clear.
Using properly dried wood helps your stove to run more efficiently, prolonging both the life of the stove and the flue system. In comparison, using “wet” or “green” wood with a high-moisture content forces your stove to work harder to evaporate water. This can also create creosote, which is a highly flammable substance and a leading cause of chimney fires.
Beat the Peak-Season Fuel Rush
Buying in the summer allows you to find a wider selection of stock before supplies reduce. When autumn approaches, the usual “winter rush” can drive up both the demand and pricing for fuel.
It’s recommended to order before October, as this will help to avoid premium prices that arise as the weather starts to cool down. Also, this can help to avoid any logistical headaches of peak-season delivery. During the winter, delivery slots can become scarce and transport costs can also rise due to the sheer volume of orders. Plan ahead to make sure your fuel arrives well before you need it.
Storing Wood for Log Burners
When you secure your winter fuel supply in the summertime, this allows the logs to settle into your storage environment well before they are needed. Burning freshly cut or unseasoned logs can cause the wood to smoke instead of burning effectively. Buying your logs in early summer will give you more time to build your log store in advance of the colder seasons.
A good log store is well-ventilated and covered to protect from rainfall, lifting the fuel off the ground to allow airflow and to avoid any damp. Keep the wood away from moisture-trapping walls and stack carefully, ensuring it isn’t tightly packed or trapped under non-breathable covers. Good preparation ensures that by the time you strike your first match in autumn, your logs will be ready to provide a clean, efficient burn.
Purchase Kiln-Dried Logs and Stove Fuel
Don’t leave it too late to buy your winter fuel. If you wait until the weather gets colder, this could cost you more in the long run. By stocking up on your firewood during the summertime, you can look forward to a cosy and cheaper winter.
At Sparkes Stoves, we have a range of high-quality fuels to keep your stove running efficiently. From kiln-dried logs to seasoned logs, kindling, and natural firelighters, you can find everything you need to keep your fire burning.
If you need to buy fuel for your log burner or multifuel stove, please visit our Fuels page or get in touch.