As the colder months start to roll in, many homeowners start their search for affordable firewood to keep their homes warm and cosy. While saving a few pounds on firewood might seem like a good idea at first, opting for cheap logs often comes with hidden costs and issues that you’ll want to be aware of before buying.
In this blog post, we will delve into the reasons why cheap logs aren’t always the best option and what you should be choosing instead to ensure warmth, efficiency, and value for money.
Why Cheap Logs Aren’t Always As Economical As They Seem
- Low-Quality Logs Burn Faster: One of the biggest downsides to buying cheap logs is that they are often made from softwood or are poorly seasoned. This means that your logs will end up burning faster than if you were to buy hardwood, kiln-dried logs. As a result, you’ll end up burning more to maintain a nice, steady heat, so while the initial cost may be low, in the long run, you’ll end up using two or three times the amount of cheap logs compared to our premium, kiln-dried logs.
- Higher Moisture Content: Cheap logs often have a higher moisture content as they haven’t been properly dried or seasoned. So if opting for the cheaper firewood, you could end up with logs that burn poorly, produce more smoke and less heat. Firewood should have a moisture content of 20% or less, any higher and it could end up causing damage to your fire and chimney, and it could ultimately become a danger to your home as creosote builds up in your chimney.
- More Smoke & Less Heat: As we have just touched upon, logs that haven’t been properly seasoned or dried will not only generate less heat but will also produce excessive amounts of smoke. And, with more smoke comes more soot, which can not only dirty your home but affect the air in your home. If warmth and comfort are what you’re looking for, cheap logs are likely to leave you feeling disappointed as you sit in a smoky room, constantly feeding the fire.
The Hidden Cost Of Cheap Logs
At first glance, buying cheap logs may seem like an easy way to save money, but there are hidden costs that come with them and they can end up costing you more in the long run.
- Increased Consumption: This one is simple maths – since cheap logs burn faster, you’ll end up buying more over time which means your initial savings won’t last.
- Chimney Cleaning: The excessive smoke from low-quality, wet logs can lead to a build-up of creosote in your chimney which means you’ll need to have your chimney cleaned more often. In other news, if you do need a great chimney sweep, we 100% recommend Kate Brush Sweeps!
- Maintenance: More soot and ash means you’ll spend more time cleaning your fireplace – who wants to spend more time doing that?
What To Look For Instead Of Cheap Logs
Instead of falling into the trap of buying cheap logs, it’s worth investing in high-quality firewood that turns out to be better value in the long run.
- Harwood Logs: Hardwood logs, like birch, oak, ash and beech, are denser than softwoods and, as such, will burn longer and provide more heat.
- Kiln-Dried Logs: Kiln drying is a process that removes the majority of moisture from firewood, which means your logs will burn hotter and cleaner.
Don’t be fooled by cheap logs!
We understand that it’s tempting to save money on cheap logs, but it’s clear that they aren’t always the best option. Instead invest in high-quality, kiln-dried logs! They may cost more upfront, but in the long run, they’ll keep your home warmer, reduce maintenance costs, and will be an investment that you’ll be thankful for.
If you want value for money, please get in touch with us to order!