The Top 5 Signs of a Quality Firewood Log Supplier

We get it. Looking for a good supplier of kiln-dried logs and wood briquettes in the UK can often feel like wandering in a dark forest without a flashlight and a compass.

Search online and you’ll find hundreds of upstart companies selling seemingly-identical products. Every product listing claims to offer the highest quality, the lowest price, or a mixture of both. But once you make a choice and receive your delivery, you often find yourself stuck with fuel that is either of poor quality or costs far too much for what you’re getting.

But don’t worry. This doesn’t have to happen ever again. We’ve got your back. Our experienced team has spent decades in learning the ins and outs of the wood fuel industry. We know everything there is to know about firewood logs and wood briquettes.

In this article, we'll shine a light on your path and guide you to a successful wood fuel purchase. Keep these in mind during your search, and you'll avoid the painful sting of disappointment.

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Sign #1: A Strong, Well-Established Reputation

As with all things in all aspects of life, the cheapest thing you can find is almost never a good buy. There are many upstarts in the UK market offering mouth-watering prices on wood logs. But, while these products may be tempting, it's often far wiser to stick with the tried and true.

If the Deal Looks Too Good to Be True…

Remember the age-old adage: If something looks too good to be true, then it almost certainly is.

Sourcing, manufacturing, storing, and delivering efficient, clean-burning logs and briquettes cost the manufacturer a lot of money. So if you find wood fuel at an unbelievably low price, then you can be sure you’re looking at a subpar product you’ll hate using.

At Lekto, we’re proud to offer high-quality logs and briquettes at incredibly competitive prices. The only reason we can offer such low prices is that we’re a large, disruptive supplier. We have one of the widest supply networks in the entire industry and a massive warehouse that allows us to take advantage of economies of scale.

So if you see an upstart company advertising that they can get you logs of the same quality at a fraction of the price, you can be sure they’re not showing you the full picture.

Logs Are Logs: Don’t Fall For “Luxury” Branding

Think going upmarket is the best choice? Well, think again. These days, you can find someone to build you a posh-looking website, take a few good product photos, and write good sales text in just a few clicks.

So while those “luxury logs” you see sold at astronomical prices may look great in the picture, chances are they’re nothing to write home about. Chances are they’ll do the job, but you’ll feel like a dunce for overspending.

So what’s the solution? Do what your parents always told you. Find a company with a long-established reputation. Someone you can trust. A firm that values its reputation and will go above and beyond to maintain it.

How to Identify a Trustworthy Wood Fuel Supplier?

Here are the main hallmarks of a log & wood briquette supplier you can trust:

• Established history. As with most things in life, it’s best to deal with someone established. Purchasing a winter’s worth of wood fuel from a fresh-faced brand with no reviews is not advised.
• Proven track record. A good brand is one that’s well-known, either locally or (which is better) nationally. You may have heard of the brand from your friends, on an online forum, or on social media. 
• Active online presence. If you’re buying from an online wood fuel supplier, it’s important to check their social media presence. This will give you an idea of the company’s activities and the way they treat their clients.
• Word-of-mouth recommendations. Nothing’s better than recommendations from people you know and can trust. If they're happy, chances are you’ll also be happy.

Should I Choose a Local or National Wood Supplier?

Next, you should figure out whether a local or national supplier is a better fit for your needs.

If you reside in Scotland or another densely-forested area of the UK, a local supplier near your town or city might offer you faster delivery and (sometimes) lower prices.

If you reside in other parts of the country and don’t have a large, reputable forestry business near you, then you’ll best be served by an established national supplier.

What Are the Differences Between Local and National Wood Suppliers?

Here are the main differences between a local and a national wood fuel supplier:

Rule #2: Great Customer Reviews

A great brand should have thousands of positive reviews on independent review venues. Be wary of customer reviews on Amazon or the brand’s own site as these are often faked.

Genuine customer reviews are a goldmine of information. Look for consistent positive feedback on platforms like Trustpilot or Google Reviews. This is a strong indication of quality products and top-notch customer service.

Lekto has over 15,000 positive customer reviews on its Trustpilot page, making it the most trusted wood fuel supplier in the UK.

Rule #3: High Product Quality & Sustainability

The best wood fuel suppliers make quality their top priority. When you’re dealing with a reputable company, their product quality should always speak for itself and marketing should take a back seat.

Quality kiln-dried logs should have a low moisture content of under 20% (ideally under 15%), which will help them burn more efficiently and produce less smoke and creosote than conventional seasoned logs. Quality wood briquettes should be dried to a moisture level under 10% and placed in protective packaging for long-term storage.

Sustainability is another key factor. A trusted wood fuel supplier will understand the importance of sustainable forestry and manufacturing practices. Search for a supplier that only works with sustainably-managed forests and actively helps reduce deforestation.

Rule #4: Wide Product Selection and Good Price-Performance Ratio

Variety is the spice of life. A reputable, trustworthy supplier should sell a wide range of products. This is important because wood fuels are cheaper when purchased in bulk. Ideally, you should search for a single supplier that will be able to meet all of your needs for logs, briquettes, kindling, firelighters, and other wood fuel options. This way, you’ll be able to maximize your savings.

And speaking of prices, a great supplier is one that can offer fair prices without skimping on quality. They may also offer seasonal discounts, bulk order deals, or loyalty reward programmes.

NB! Be wary of companies that purport to sell “luxury logs” as the exorbitant prices you pay will be in no way reflected in product quality. The main determiner of wood fuel quality is its moisture content. A pair of quality logs from a good vendor is as good as a pair of luxury logs. The only difference between the two is the price and the marketing budget.

Rule #5: Customer Service and Free Delivery

Top-tier suppliers will offer you flexible and efficient delivery, accommodating different locations and schedules. If possible, free (or at least discounted) delivery should be provided on orders over £100.

Lekto offers free UK delivery on all orders over £75.

There is no such thing as a 100% problem-free wood fuel supply experience. Deliveries can be late. Products may arrive damaged. Parcels may get lost. Or you might just have ordered the wrong product by accident. 

So another important thing is the quality of the firm’s customer service.

A reliable supplier will have a dedicated customer support team that's ready to help at a moment’s notice. They should be available through various channels and provide prompt and helpful responses. At Lekto, we are proud to have one of the highest-rated support teams in the entire industry.