Products

Wood Bricks

Wood bricks (also called blocks) are an ultra-efficient alternative to traditional firewood and, when used with newspaper or a fire starter product, provide an easy and reliable method for starting fires. We carry the all-natural “Envi 8” from Bio-Diversity, LLC, a small business located in Central Pennsylvania. Though smaller in size, wood bricks pack a punch for burn time and heat output, compared to traditional firewood. And unlike most retail “log” products (e.g. Duraflame), the Envi 8 does not contain additives, binders or chemicals of any kind, making the fire safe for cooking and roasting marshmallows. Wood bricks’ convenient size and packaging allows for stacking large quantities in tight spaces. Finally, for our environmentally-minded customers, our wood bricks are composed entirely of compressed sawdust — a by-product of the lumber industry. By sourcing in PA, we minimize the transportation carbon footprint… and support a fellow small business! We’re pleased to introduce and educate our customers on this excellent product.

Packaged Bags

Phil’s Firewood was the first to offer delivery of packaged firewood in Philadelphia. Initially for residents, we now deliver to restaurants and other businesses as well. Compared to retail bundles, our blue polypropylene bags are strong, stackable, reusable and waterproof on the bottom/sides, while allowing the wood to breathe through the open top. Compared to loose cord wood and large industrial bags, our bags are smaller and easier to carry and stack. Keep and re-use them, or return to us at your next delivery.

Air-Dried Firewood

The most common method of seasoning, air-dried firewood is left in stacks or loose piles, and dries over time (ideally 8 – 12 months). Unlike kiln-dried firewood, there can be significant variability in the air-dried process that can cause a broad range of moisture content among pieces, even within the same pile of wood. These variables include:

Length and Thickness of Pieces
Stacking vs. Loose Pile
Exposure to Sun and Wind
Seasonal Weather
Covered vs. Uncovered
Seasoning Time
Processing Method (e.g. Seasoning as logs, rounds or split pieces)

If firewood sellers and buyers can disagree over advertised volume — upon delivery or after the wood is stacked — (they often do), moisture content of firewood — meaning how well seasoned it is — is often a point of contention as well… and there is no shortage of opinions on the best methods of seasoning firewood. The challenge is that many of these methods require more time and labor than many firewood suppliers are willing to give. Phil works closely with our suppliers to monitor and improve their processing and seasoning methods. Depending on the season and variables listed above, the moisture content of our air-dried firewood ranges from 15% to 30%. While air-dried firewood can be more challenging to get started — especially for inexperienced wood burners — it typically burns longer than kiln-dried firewood.

Kiln-Dried Firewood

Kiln-dried firewood is seasoned by inserting the wood into large, industrial ovens. The baking process instantly seasons the wood, and kills bugs/pests. Pennsylvania and New Jersey state departments of health require firewood stored inside restaurants to be kiln-dried. In addition to eliminating bugs, baking the wood produces the driest firewood available. The moisture content of our kiln-dried firewood averages 12% to 20%. For restaurants, very dry wood is good for starting fires… and maintaining a high cooking/grilling temperature for wood burning ovens and grills. For residents, kiln dried firewood is ideal if the wood must be stored indoors. Compared to air-dried firewood, kiln-dried firewood is easier to get started and burns a bit hotter and faster.

Specialty Firewood

Any special wood requests are considered “specialty firewood,” and are available for air dried packaged bags only. Examples include oak and cherry.

We use different suppliers, depending on the season and their supply. Availability of specific species varies year to year. Join our email list to receive notice when certain species of wood become available.

Cord Wood

Wood by the cord is the universal standard unit of firewood volume. One full cord is a tightly stacked pile of wood measuring 8 feet long by 4 feet wide by 4 feet tall. (To calculate volume of any firewood stack in cubic feet, multiply length by width by height.) A full cord is 128 cubic feet. For restaurants or other businesses that have the storage space and burn a cord or more per month, cord wood is the most economical option. (Because it requires the least amount of labor to produce.) Cord wood is available throughout the Philadelphia region. Please note: cord wood is not available for residents. (Restaurants only)