Your guide to how buying the right amount of wood
By Wes Dodd – WD Wood Burner Installations, Poole, Bournemouth & Dorset
One of the most common questions I hear from wood burner owners in Poole, Bournemouth, and across Dorset is:
“How much firewood will I actually need to get through the winter?”
The answer depends on a few factors – your stove size, how often you use it, the type of wood you burn, and how well your home is insulated.
Here’s my expert guide to help you work out the right amount of firewood for your household, so you can stay cosy without running short (or over-ordering and wasting space).
Factors That Affect How Much Firewood You’ll Need
- Stove size & efficiency: Larger stoves or older, less efficient models use more logs.
- Usage: Daily use in the evenings vs occasional weekend fires.
- Home insulation: A well-insulated house in Bournemouth will need less fuel than a draughty Dorset cottage.
- Wood type: Dense hardwoods (oak, ash, beech) last longer than softwoods (pine, spruce).
- Moisture content: Seasoned or kiln-dried logs burn hotter and cleaner, so you’ll use fewer.
Average Firewood Use for UK Households
Here’s a rough guide for Dorset households with log burners:
| Usage Type | Estimated Logs per Winter (October–March) | Cubic Metres of Wood |
|---|---|---|
| Occasional Use (weekends, a few evenings) | 1,000–1,500 logs | 1–2 m³ |
| Regular Use (most evenings) | 2,000–3,000 logs | 3–4 m³ |
| Heavy Use (daily, main source of heat) | 4,000–5,000 logs | 5–6+ m³ |
💡 Tip: In Dorset, most regular users order between 3–5 cubic metres of hardwood logs per winter.
Hardwood vs Softwood – Why It Matters
Hardwoods (oak, ash, beech):
- Burn slower and hotter.
- More expensive per load but last longer.
- Best for long winter nights.
Softwoods (pine, spruce, fir):
- Burn quickly and are cheaper.
- Great for kindling or quick daytime fires.
- Less efficient for long-term heating.
Using a mix of softwood for kindling and hardwood for main logs is often the most efficient balance.
Storing Enough Firewood
- Aim to have at least half your winter supply ready by October.
- Store wood in a dry, ventilated log store.
- Keep at least 1–2 weeks of wood stacked indoors (but only bring in dry logs).
- If you’re short on space in Poole or Bournemouth, consider ordering smaller deliveries more often.
FAQs: How Much Firewood Do I Need?
1. How do I measure firewood – by logs or cubic metres?
Suppliers usually sell by cubic metre. A cubic metre is roughly 500–600 logs depending on size.
2. How many logs will my stove use per night?
Most average stoves use 3–5 hardwood logs for an evening burn. Larger stoves may use more.
3. Is kiln-dried wood worth the extra cost?
Yes – kiln-dried logs are ready to burn, cleaner, and hotter, meaning you’ll use fewer overall.
4. Can I just buy wood as I need it?
You can, but demand (and prices) rise in winter. Buying early ensures dry, ready logs and better value.
5. Do bigger stoves always use more wood?
Not necessarily – a properly sized stove matched to your room will be efficient. Oversized stoves tend to waste logs.
6. What’s the best way to make sure I don’t run out?
Keep track of how much you burn each week in autumn. Multiply by the winter months to estimate your needs.
Final Thoughts
The right amount of firewood depends on how you use your stove, but most homes in Poole, Bournemouth, and Dorsetwill need 3–5 cubic metres of seasoned hardwood logs per winter.
By ordering early, storing logs properly, and burning the right type of wood, you’ll enjoy a warm, safe, and efficient fire all season long.
👉 For expert wood burner advice, professional installations, and chimney sweeping across Poole, Bournemouth, and Dorset, contact WD Wood Burner Installations today.
