In this guide
"How much wood do I need?" is the most common question we get, and the honest answer is: it depends. Your stove, your home, the weather and how you use the fire all change the amount. The good news is that you can work out your own figure quickly, with a method that costs nothing.
What affects how much you burn
- Your appliance. A large, efficient stove heating a room all evening uses a different amount from a small stove lit now and then, or an open fire (which is less efficient and burns through more wood for the same warmth).
- How often you light it. A few evenings a month, most evenings, or as your main heating are very different habits.
- Your home. A well-insulated room is easier to heat than a draughty one.
- The wood. Dense hardwood lasts longer per log than light wood. Dry wood gives more heat than damp.
- The winter. A mild one and a hard one can differ a lot.
The simple method: measure one crate
Instead of guessing, measure.
- Buy one crate of the wood you intend to burn. A middle size is a sensible start.
- Note the date you start burning it.
- Burn as you normally would.
- Note the date it runs out.
If a crate lasts you, say, three weeks of your usual burning, then you know your rate. Multiply it by the number of weeks you burn and add a little margin.
Working it out
Write down:
- How long one crate lasted (in weeks).
- How many weeks you burn in a year, which for most people is roughly October to March, but you know your own habits.
- The volume of the crate, which is shown on our product pages.
Then: number of crates for the season = weeks you burn ÷ weeks per crate. Round up, and add a margin for a colder-than-usual winter.
If you are starting from scratch
If you have no history to go on, start modestly. Buy a smaller or middle crate, learn your rate, then order again, or order a larger crate once you know. Kiln-dried wood stores well if you keep it dry, so there is little risk of buying a bit extra; see how to store firewood.
Occasional, regular or main heating
As a rough guide to where to start:
- Occasional use (a few fires a month): a smaller crate will go a long way.
- Regular use (most evenings in winter): a middle size, topped up as you learn your rate.
- Main heating: a larger crate or several, ordered ahead of the cold weather.
Our Fuel Finder suggests a size based on how often you burn.
Make it last
You will use less wood if you get more heat from each log:
- Burn dry wood only; see Ready to Burn explained.
- Do not overfill the stove; a hot, clean fire uses wood efficiently.
- Keep the stove, flue and seals in good order; see stove and chimney care.
- Use denser woods for long burns; see choosing logs.
Ordering ahead
It is usually wise to order before you run low, especially in cold spells when many people do the same. See why to buy fuel before winter.
