Whether you’re looking for wood to burn in a fireplace, wood stove or backyard fire pit, here’s what to keep in mind before you buy. It’s best to store firewood with plenty of space between the logs to allow drying and prevent rotting. And don’t position the firewood right next to your house or garage due to mice, insects and fire danger.
Firewood is sold by the cord – 8 ft. long x 4 ft. deep x 4 ft. high. A face cord is one-third of a full cord, so it’s a single stack that measures 4 ft. high by 8 ft. long x 20” +/-. For an indoor fireplace or stove, buy firewood that is dense like oak and maple. Maple and fruitwoods are great for cooking fires because they infuse the food with a pleasant flavor. Stay away from resinous wood such as pine and spruce for indoor fires. They create creosote that can coat a chimney and cause a chimney fire. Other woods to avoid: pressure-treated, painted, stained and manufactured wood, such as plywood and particleboard. These woods can release toxic gases.
Recently harvested (green) wood is very heavy due to its high moisture content. If you are buying firewood that is green, plan to let it season (dry out) for approximately nine months. Seasoned wood is dry to the touch, has cracks in the ends and loose bark.
Ask the approximate size of the logs so you can make sure they’ll fit your fireplace or stove. Most firewood is about 16 in. long, but it’s worth asking to make sure the logs will work for you without additional chopping.
- Is delivery available? If so, is there an extra charge?
- Will they stack the wood where you want to store it or will they leave it in a pile on your driveway?
- If you’re picking it up, will they help you load up the wood?
(A typical 8 ft. truck bed will hold about one-third of a cord if the wood is piled loosely or two-thirds of a cord if it’s tightly stacked.)
