If you use firewood for home heating, outdoor cooking or running a guest property, planning ahead for winter is key. But how much should you actually order?

The answer depends on your stove size, usage patterns, the type of wood you burn — and most importantly, the moisture content of your logs.

Let’s break it down.

Stove size and usage habits

Most UK households using a woodburner tend to run a 5 kW stove for about 3 hours per day during the heating season (October to March). That adds up to around 15,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of heat required across the winter.

Here's what that means in terms of firewood usage:

• Ultra kiln dried logs (<15% moisture): Approx. 3.1 tonnes or 3.2 m³ loose volume

• Standard kiln dried logs (15–18%): Approx. 3.4 tonnes or 3.6 m³

• Seasoned logs (25–40%): Approx. 6–8 m³ or more

(Source: HETAS and Forestry Commission combustion data; based on hardwood logs such as oak, ash or birch)

How many boxes is that from The Logsmith?

Each of our recyclable Logsmith boxes measures approximately 21.4 cm (H) x 39.1 cm (W) x 26.0 cm (D) and contains around 22–25 litres of ultra kiln dried hardwood, equivalent to about 0.022–0.025 m³ per box.

That means:

• 3.2 m³ of ultra dry logs = approx. 130–145 boxes

• 2.0 m³ (moderate seasonal use) = approx. 80–90 boxes

• 1.0 m³ (occasional weekend use) = approx. 40–45 boxes

This helps you plan your order with flexibility — whether you're stocking up in bulk, ordering in smaller batches, or setting up a subscription to receive boxes as often as you need, with the freedom to cancel anytime.

The drier the log, the more heat per kg

Ultra kiln dried logs from The Logsmith are dried to under 15% moisture. This means they generate around 4,700 to 5,000 kWh per tonne — compared to around 2,300–3,500 kWh/tonne from seasoned wood.

That’s up to 50% more energy per load. So you burn less and heat more.

Usage examples:

• Daily evening heating: 3–4 m³ of ultra kiln dried wood (130–145 boxes from The Logsmith)

• Weekend-only fires: 2 m³ is often sufficient (40–70 boxes from The Logsmith)

• Wood-fired hot tubs or saunas (occasional): 1–1.5 m³ depending on frequency (30–50 boxes from The Logsmith)

• Holiday lets or Airbnb with regular guests: 4–6 m³ depending on turnover (100–150 boxes from The Logsmith)

What affects how much you burn?

• Wood species: Oak burns longer than birch; ash is a steady all-rounder

• Moisture content: Lower moisture means higher efficiency

• Appliance type: Open fires lose more heat than enclosed stoves

• Ventilation and insulation: Better insulation means you burn less

• Your habits: Longer fires, more frequent use = higher consumption

What if I use briquettes?

Briquettes are denser and pack more energy into a smaller volume. If you mix them with logs or use them alone, expect to use slightly less overall — but keep some kindling or softwood handy to get them going.

Planning your firewood order

Still unsure? Here’s our quick guide:

• Light user: 1–2 m³

• Moderate user: 3–4 m³

• Heavy user or full-time heating: 5–6+ m³

Tip: Always store your wood in a dry, ventilated space. Our stackable cardboard boxes help you store cleanly, indoors or out — no mess, no nets, no hassle.

Free delivery on orders over £75

At The Logsmith, we deliver ultra kiln dried birch, ash and oak logs across the UK — in recyclable boxes with fast, reliable service. Stock up before the cold hits and stay warm, clean and ready to burn.