Stock Up on Logs for Winter
If you live anywhere in the North East – maybe around Sunderland, Seaham, Easington or Durham – you’ll know how quickly the chill can set in once October rolls round. One minute you’re still thinking about BBQs, and the next you’re hunting for your wooly socks and trying to remember where you stored the firelighters. That’s exactly when many people realise they’ve left it too late to buy their logs.
At DG Supplies North East, we’ve been helping locals get sorted for winter for years, and we’ve seen every kind of weather the North East can throw our way. From frosty mornings in Murton to the icy winds off the coast in Seaham, one thing’s certain: being prepared makes winter a whole lot easier.
So, when is the best time to stock up on your firewood? Let’s break it down.
Why Timing Matters
Buying firewood isn’t just about grabbing whatever’s available when it gets cold. The time of year you buy makes a big difference in price, quality, and even how well your logs will burn. When everyone’s rushing to buy at once in November, stock can run low and prices go up. The smart move is to think ahead and plan your firewood like you’d plan your heating oil or your winter coats – early.
Many of our customers from Durham, Houghton-le-Spring and Peterlee have learnt that lesson the hard way. Once the first frost hits, delivery times get longer and seasoned logs sell out fast. Buying early means you get better deals and can choose exactly what you want, whether that’s kiln-dried or air-seasoned logs.
Spring into Savings
The best time to buy logs is from late spring to early summer – roughly between April and June.
Here’s why that timing works so well:
- Cheaper prices: Demand is low, so suppliers like DIY Supplies North East can offer better deals or bulk discounts.
- Better quality: Logs that have been seasoned through winter are ready to go, and new stock has time to dry even more before the cold sets in.
- Easy storage: The warmer months are perfect for drying and storing logs outdoors.
- Avoids the rush: You’ll be sorted long before the crowds start panicking.
We get a lot of early birds from Easington Village and Seaham who pop in every spring to fill their log stores. It’s a bit like that smug feeling when you’ve done your Christmas shopping before December – one less thing to stress about later.
Seasoned vs. Kiln-Dried Logs
If you’re new to burning wood, you might wonder what the difference is.
- Seasoned logs have been air-dried naturally for six months or more. They’re cheaper but can still hold a bit of moisture, especially if not stored correctly.
- Kiln-dried logs are dried in controlled conditions to remove nearly all moisture. They’re more expensive, but they burn hotter, cleaner and with less smoke.
Many homes in Sunderland and Durham prefer kiln-dried for the convenience – they light easily and give off strong, steady heat. But if you’ve got space to store your wood and a bit of patience, buying seasoned logs in spring and letting them finish drying through summer can save you a tidy sum.
Storage – Don’t Undo Your Good Work
We often see people buy perfect logs, then stack them in damp sheds or on bare ground, and wonder why they’re hard to light later. Keeping your wood dry is crucial.
Here are a few quick tips:
- Use a raised base – pallets or planks work great.
- Airflow matters – don’t pile logs too tightly.
- Keep the rain off – a sloped roof or tarpaulin helps.
- Leave the sides open – you need air to stop mould and damp.
- Avoid sealed plastic covers – they trap moisture.
If you’ve got a small garden in Seaham or Peterlee, even a compact vertical log store can do the job. The main thing is to keep water out but let air in.
Bulk Buying – Save More Than You Think
It’s tempting to grab a few bags at a time, but bulk buying often works out cheaper in the long run. A single cubic metre of logs might sound a lot, but once winter hits, you’ll go through it faster than you think – especially if you’ve got a stove running every evening.
Some of our regulars in villages like Shotton Colliery and Horden even team up with neighbours to split a bulk delivery. DG Supplies North East offers bulk load deliveries across the region, so whether you’re in Durham or down the coast, we can bring the firewood right to your door.
Moisture Content Matters
Even if your logs look dry, they might not be ready to burn. The ideal moisture content for firewood is below 20%. Anything above that wastes heat and creates smoke and soot. You can buy an inexpensive moisture meter to test a few logs – or go old-school: two dry logs make a sharp “clack” sound when knocked together, wet ones sound dull and heavy.
How the Weather Plays Its Part
The North East’s weather can be unpredictable (to say the least). We’ve seen weeks of rain in July and unexpected frost in September. That’s another reason why early prep pays off. By getting your logs sorted in spring, you’re not relying on last-minute drying or supplier stock.
If you live near the coast, where the air’s damper, storage matters even more. Inland areas like Durham and Houghton tend to stay a bit drier, which helps with seasoning, but coastal winds can bring in moisture quickly.
Don’t Forget Kindling and Firelighters
It’s all well and good having your logs ready, but you’ll need something to get them going. We always tell our customers to stock up on kindling and eco firelighters early too. Nothing’s worse than a cold December night and no way to light the fire because the shop’s sold out again.