Firewood in Cape Town: Learn all you need to know
Article written and published by Mother City Firewood
The History of Firewood in South Africa
South Africa has a rich history of using firewood as a primary source of fuel for cooking, heating, and other essential activities. From indigenous tribes using wood for cooking and warmth to the arrival of European settlers and the Industrial Revolution, firewood has played a significant role in the country’s energy history. This article will explore the evolution of firewood usage in Cape Town and South Africa, from traditional practices to modern challenges and solutions. We will look at the impact of firewood on the environment, the cultural significance of wood as a resource, and the efforts to promote sustainable energy alternatives in the country. Through understanding the history of firewood in South Africa, we can gain insight into the complex relationship between energy, society, and the environment.
Benefits of Firewood
Firewood is a renewable fuel source that offers several environmental, economic, and energy benefits. It can be sustainably harvested, helping to improve local wood supplies and forests through responsible forestry practices. The use of firewood can also reduce the spread of invasive species by promoting local sourcing and use.
From an economic standpoint, firewood is often cost-effective and efficient, requiring minimal processing for use as a heat and energy source. Its abundance in many areas makes it readily accessible and affordable for heating homes and other purposes. Additionally, the use of firewood can reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources, contributing to energy independence and reducing carbon emissions.
However, it is important to consider the impact of firewood on local ecosystems. Sustainable harvesting practices are crucial to maintaining healthy and balanced forestry habitats. By managing the bushveld responsibly, we can ensure the long-term availability of firewood while preserving the biodiversity of these ecosystems. In a nutshell, when harvested sustainably, firewood offers a renewable, cost-effective, and environmentally beneficial fuel source for heating and energy needs.
3 Most Common Types of Firewood in South Africa
When it comes to heating and cooking, firewood is a vital resource to Capetonians and all other South Africans. The country is known for its diverse flora, which means many firewood options are available. Understanding the different types of firewood in South Africa is essential for choosing the right one to meet your specific needs. Whether you’re looking for slow-burning hardwoods for long-lasting heat and coals or faster-burning softwoods for social fires, Cape Town and the rest of South Africa offers a wide range of options to suit your every requirement. In this piece of content, we will discover the various types of firewood commonly used in Cape Town and broader South Africa and their characteristics, helping you make an informed decision for all your heating or cooking needs.
Black Wattle
Black Wattle firewood is highly sought after for its excellent burning properties and versatility. It produces a high heat output, making it ideal for wood-burning stoves, open fireplaces, and even Pizza ovens (an all-rounder, great for all purposes). The wood burns cleanly with minimal smoke and sparks, making it a popular choice for indoor heating. It has a lovely crackling sound while burning too.
However, Black Wattle is also known for its invasive nature in South Africa. It is considered a problematic species as it can outcompete and displace native plants, leading to a decrease in biodiversity. This has led to efforts to control and manage its spread in certain areas.
Compared to other hardwoods like Blue Gum, Sekelbos, and Kameeldoring, Black Wattle is known for its fast growth and ability to quickly establish itself in different environments. This makes it a popular choice for firewood production, but also a concern for its invasive tendencies.
Despite its invasive nature, Black Wattle firewood remains a popular choice due to its excellent burning properties and versatility for both heating and cooking purposes. However, it is important to be mindful of its potential impact on the environment and to consider sustainable harvesting practices.
A vast supply of Black Wattle is sold and distributed in the Western and Eastern Cape and is also available in some other regions and provinces across the country. It is found growing at scale in smaller farm towns situated outside of big cities, and once harvested, is sent to the nearest large city for resale purposes.
Blue Gum Firewood
Blue Gum is an excellent choice for firewood and is one of the most popular fireplace wood options available in South Africa today. With a huge demand in Cape Town. This type of amazing firewood comes from the Eucalyptus globulus tree, which is native to the country and offers several benefits. Blue Gum firewood produces intense heat with minimal smoke, making it a great choice for indoor heating (perfect for Fireplaces). It also burns slowly, providing long-lasting heat and allowing you to use less wood over an extended time.
The Blue Gum tree grows fairly quick too, making it a good renewable resource that can be sustainably harvested without impacting the local bushveld or ecosystems. This wood is specifically known to drink large quantities of water on farmlands meant for livestock or agricultural purposes, effectively killing crops or spoiling seasonal harvests. Making this wood type a problem for farming operations in the vicinity. However, this type of firewood can have an excellent moisture content depending on the season and delivers low ash production, making it easy to clean up after use.
Locally in Cape Town and smaller surrounding towns across the Western Province, Blue Gum is the best-known winter firewood and is a top seller in the region during the colder months. Nearly every household burns it at some stage, or it is their usual fireplace wood to order. It’s the wood used most to warm homes and create a toasty setting indoors. Commonly used in Open Fireplaces, Closed-Combustion Fireplaces, and Wood stoves. It is even a winner for cooking in a pot or pan over a fire. Plus, it’s loved for its use in Pizza ovens. Not always recommended for a Braai as it gives off a gas that can contaminate the meat or affect the overall flavour profile. It’s the wood you buy in Summer and store until Winter if you plan to avoid freezing come June and July.
When purchasing Blue Gum firewood for heating purposes, make sure to check that it has been responsibly sourced using sustainable forestry methods. This will ensure that you are getting the highest quality wood while supporting responsible harvesting practices that help preserve local farms and ecosystems thrive. Stock up on your winter firewood stash in advance to avoid disappointment during winter.
Port Jackson Firewood
Port Jackson firewood is a reliable and affordable source of firewood in Cape Town. Cut down and processed into firewood as it’s an invasive specie, Port Jackson, which is native to the region, has long been used as a fuel source. The firewood is harvested by locals and farmers from nearby bushveld terrain. Due to its rapid growth, we may see this resource remain available in future generations to come.
Port Jackson firewood is an excellent choice for warmth and ambiance, social fires, Pizza ovens, fireplaces, or a quick Braai. Not the best wood for making coals but you can easily Braai with it if you keep a fire going on the side at all times (that’s the secret). It produces a low amount of smoke if seasoned well and burns to ash making it easy to clean. It’s the cheapest alternative for providing a steady source of heat. It is very commonly used as campfire wood in the great outdoors, or in many poorer neighborhoods and townships as heat or cooking fuel.
This wood is everywhere in South Africa, it spreads like wildfire and grows among us. We bet there are a few trees in a bush not far from where you live!
When purchasing Port Jackson firewood, it is important to make sure that it has been responsibly sourced from reputable local suppliers. This will ensure that you get the highest quality wood while supporting responsible operations that help protect and preserve local flora and ecosystems. Like the woods mentioned above, you should stock up on your winter firewood stash in advance to avoid disappointment when it’s wet and cold outside.
Port Jackson will always be the best bang for your buck and is similar to Black Wattle, they’re related and a part of the same family. Locals see it as the cheaper version of Black Wattle, but for people on a tighter budget.
How are the woods sold?
Bags
When it comes to purchasing firewood in Cape Town, bags are a very popular option. Bags of firewood make the process of buying and using wood much easier and more efficient. They are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased from most retailers in your area or via online stores for delivery.
The main benefit of buying firewood in bags is convenience. You grab a bag as you need a bag, instead of running around carrying loose pieces. Bags are also easy to store in a garage, shed or Wendy house and are perfect to take with you on holiday. Usually it is also the preferred option among people living in flats or smaller complexes.
Local wood bags are filled up with a certain amount of pieces whereas Namibian Hardwood or Hardwood bags are normally weighed. In most instances, there are two main bag sizes available when it comes to most local woods: Small (Approx. 10+ pieces) and Large (Approx. 20+ pieces). Whereas, with hardwoods, the bag weight will be stipulated so a small bag will be weighed to 7 or 9 kilograms for example, and larger bags would be 18 or 20 kilograms.
In most cases, far better quality woods are used in bags and often make up for the price difference, compared to loose firewood. Bags are quality wood, whereas loose pieces are a high-quantity option. Please also remember that empty bags, labor, and the cost to seal the bags, add fractionally to the cost. The labor put into making the bags is hard work for wood guys out in the heat or cold, it looks easy to most but can be very strenuous. So with all this in mind, you can better understand the cost of bags when in need. Firewood bag suppliers source the best, burn-ready quality woods for you to enjoy and are often willing to pay more for quality. The general thesis is: If you want a good quality product that you can burn easily without hassle, then bags should be your first choice.
Bags are usually delivered in bags. Some companies may charge a minimal fee to unpack the bags for you whereas others could have it included in their price or offering. But usually if bags are ordered, wood delivery teams presume it was ordered for this purpose and meant to remain in bags for convenience, or to ensure easier transportation and storage.
The un-bagging and packing takes additional time and labor to complete upon delivery and therefore is usually charged at a fee. In most cases taking wood out of the bags is not included in a standard bag delivery. If bags are to be unpacked it should be clearly explained to the team delivering and physically shown where, and what is expected of them, because generally wood companies believe, bags remain in bags.
Bulk
Bulk in the wood industry refers to buying bags on a larger scale than usual. 10 or bags could be classified as bulk. These orders are for example 360 kg of hardwood or 25 Large Blue Gum Bags, so still in bags, just ordered in bigger volumes. Because a bulk order is in bags it is also easy to stack on top of each other and store simply even with limited space. We find the bag or bulk orders are great for indoor or covered areas outdoors that have a moderate temperature and constant airflow.
Loose Firewood
Loose pieces start from loads of 100 pieces, up to 1000 pieces, sometimes more. Depending on what each supplier offers. Loose pieces take some work to load, offload, transport, carry, and stack which takes suppliers a lot of time and effort to complete. Most local woods are sold in the form of loose pieces unless it is a rarer wood type, in that case, it is made up into bags.
Loose pieces normally arrive semi-seasoned and not 100% dry regardless of the month, season or supplier. You should not always expect that loose woods will be dry, in a recent study conducted by our team late last year, results showed that as much as 70% of all local woods delivered by various wood companies and suppliers arrived with between 20 to 50% moisture content and only 30% produced wood under the 20% marker. So when buying loose firewood loads, expect them to be 100% up to standard only after laying in your yard for about 3–6 months, it is the best practice for optimum use, this way the wood won’t be too dry or have too much moisture either, it will be just right and still have some density to it. 6–12 months is not always necessary as most of the woods have stood and pre-seasoned a bit already. Fresh wood, cut days ago, should however stand for this extended time frame.
In Cape Town we find that the climate is great for storing woods over Spring and Summer, it is the time frame of the year in which they dry out the fastest. If you order loose wood any time after May month then you can expect to wave, fan, and aid the woods to burn. Timing with loose wood is crucial. It is best to order Firewood’s in Summer and Braai woods in Winter, always a season or two ahead of schedule. Suppliers cannot secure, guarantee and hold a constant flow of a few million pieces of dry wood at any given time, because the demand for it is far too high, leaving most wood companies with no choice but to deliver it, as best as they receive it. Very few are equip to store wood for a year before conducting deliveries as the costs involved are far too high to do so.
The aim of ordering loose pieces is to stack them in a good spot at home that has a lot of airflow and sunshine and let them age well at your premises. It’s all about the process. Get it, stack it and leave it. Outside is a good place for local woods to remain as these are not fumigated and could be accompanied by unwanted pests. As the woods begin to dry outdoors you can take some inside to burn as needed.
Some clients enjoy this process as they get to cure the load of wood to their liking. Loose woods also look great when stacked under a Braai or in a Firewood rack. Stacking woods to season becomes an art form once you grow accustomed to it.
Loose pieces are generally still a preferred option in Cape Town when buying big volumes of local wood. Whereas in most other provinces and upmarket neighborhoods locally you’ll see the sale of bags more favourable because of the higher end quality. The value in loose woods is, the quantity you receive along with the delivery and stacking service.
Bakkie Loads
Bakkie Loads are common across the country and are meant to be a full bakkie load of loose wood up until the brim but many people do not like this solution because the volume is not always 100% transparent and people like to know how much of a specific wood type they are buying (value for currency spent). Over the years we have learned that a half a bakkie load may only be around 300 or 400 pieces and a full load probably around 700 to 800 pieces. Where you would have expected it to be 500 or 1000pcs. Many people usually gravitate towards this though as it looks cheap but honestly, it’s like a lucky packet and you never really can tell, exactly what it is that you are getting. Therefore, bags and loose pieces, are the preferred wood choices across the Cape region as they can be measured accurately.
Cord of Firewood or Cubic Meters
This method is not a huge hit in South Africa, ordering a Cord of Wood or a Cubic Meter is more a global method of doing things and we‘ve seen guys trying to adopt this method in our local market but it is also not that transparent in terms of how many pieces, KG’s or bags you are going to receive. People in South Africa want measurable totals that can be confirmed and not simply pay a large sum of funds for a volumetric based total that they can only account for dimensionally. Therefore, the above methods are still the most loved by our locals. Truthfully speaking, it’s like telling you the dimensions of a box but not telling you details on the contents. This is the way that Firewood is sold in many other countries, but in South Africa however, we’ve adopted our own systems and set a new norm for the Firewood market.
Where can I order Firewood in Cape Town?
Online Stores
This has slowly become the top way to order wood in today’s age for people in Cape Town and other regions of the country, like Pretoria, Gauteng, etc. It all began in Cape Town dated back to 2015 and the number of suppliers and wood options have vastly increased over the last few years. Many people simply order online now and the supplier lets them know which day they will be delivering, and in what approximate time frame it will be done and the customer then awaits the order’s arrival. Most people have a domestic, gardener, family member, or neighbor present on the day to accept the load for them while they are at work or away. Once they arrive home, all has already been done. Nothing beats this method, it’s usually stress-free!
Wood Yards or Depots
Drive in, load ready-made bags or a set amount of loose pieces, pay, and drive away. Best to go with a Bakkie or Trailer and be ready to do some hard labour. (Some yards will come to deliver if arranged prior, sometimes free but normally carries a fee)
Retailers
Grab a few bags for a quick Braai at the local garage, Spar, Checkers, Pick n Pay and various other outlets but keep in mind that usually this will cost you more because of the instant convenience. It is the perfect grab-and-go option if you are in need of some wood on the fly. However, once you calculate what you spend over a year of doing so (fuel and time included), you may consider switching over to bulk loads you can store at home.
Distributors
These are usually large warehouses that distribute bags either to retail chains or delivery services and are not always willing to deal directly with the Public.
Road-side Vendors
Many people use this method, but it is not always the best solution. These vendors can afford to sell wood for next to nothing, as they have no staff or expenses to cover but the downside is they are cutting it out of private or government land without permission, not only are these woods usually freshly cut or very wet, but the source which it came from is not via the correct channels. It feeds a man in need, but can cause harm to the environment in which it was cut. The best is to always to support sustainable sources that put you and the bushveld first.
What woods are available locally?
In Cape Town and the greater South Africa, there are a few main categories of woods:
(Remember, the type of wood you order will make all the difference)
Firewood’s
This group consists of woods like Blue Gum, Red Gum, Spider Gum, Black Wattle, Beef wood, and Port Jackson which are most commonly used in wood stoves, fireplaces, and Pizza Ovens.
Braai woods
These would be woods like Rooikrans, Myrtle, Wingerd or Vine, Black Wattle, Beef wood, Olienhout or Port Jackson, ideal for sizzling your favourite cut of meat over hot coals.
Namibian Hardwoods
Imported hardwood species from Namibia, or examples of hardwood would be, woods such as Kameeldoring, Sekelbos, Mopani, Swarthaak, Braai mix (combination with hardwoods), Mashara, Knoppiesdoring and a few others, but usually we see far more Kameeldoring, Sekelbos and Mopani available, as these 3 types are more commonly used.
Local Hardwoods
These are usually woods driven to the Western Cape from up North of South Africa and include woods like Mesquite, Doringhout, Soetdoring, Rooibos, Swarthaak and a couple others.
Eco-Friendly Firewood
These are fairly popular factory-made woods, formed from various waste materials that pose no threat to the local environment. These are commonly Grape seed Eco Logs (Vino Logs), or Heat logs made from compressed Sawdust.
Exotic Fruit woods
These are usually cut the same sizes as Braai or Firewood’s and are used for that exact purpose. To make fire or Braai with. These woods are usually Plum, Olive, Citrus, Guava, Apple, and a few other fruit woods, all grown and sourced from farms locally after harvesting fruits. (Some people even smoke meat with these bigger pieces as they last longer in Offset Smokers.)
Smoking woods
This is a category that has become hugely popular in South Africa, Smoking meats at home over the weekend is the latest trend. Getting to try new flavours regularly as each creates a different sweet or smoky flavour profile. Smoking woods are usually sold as shavings or chunks and come in flavours like Apple, Oak, Cherry, Mesquite, Orange, Peach, Plum, Pear, and about 8 to 10 other varieties too. If you have a Weber Braai at home and haven’t tried smoking your own meats yet, then you haven’t lived! Plus, they are usually cheap so it doesn’t break the bank making a delicious cut of Brisket or Pork Belly. (Gents, it’s a good 3–5 hours of sipping your favourite cold beverage, before you demolish the well awaited creation.. just like a Braai!! Best start mid-day or early afternoon, so the wife and kids don't give you hell..)
Good Source of Energy
There are two main sources of energy available to burn locally apart from Nuclear fuels: These being, fossil fuels and renewable resources.
Fossil fuels, such as Charcoal, Briquettes, and Anthracite are widely used due to their high energy density and lower cost. However, their creation and burning result in pollution, contributing to climate change. Fossil fuels are also non-renewable, making them unsustainable in the long term.
Renewable resources like firewood have a minimal environmental impact and are replenish-able, making it a far more sustainable choice.
In summary, while fossil fuels are cheap but environmentally damaging, renewable resources offer a cleaner and more future-friendly solution.
Advantages of Using Firewood in South Africa
In South Africa, firewood has been a traditional and widely used source of fuel for cooking and heating over centuries. With the country’s diverse landscapes and abundance of wood, using firewood as a fuel source provides several advantages that contribute to the local economy, environment, and communities. From affordability and accessibility to sustainability and cultural significance, the advantages of using firewood or Braai woods in South Africa are worth exploring and understanding.
Excellent Choice for Firewood
Mother City offers excellent service and a variety of firewood options, including most wood varieties found locally. Local woods are great for ambiance, social gatherings, warmth, and often cooking. Where Braai woods and Hardwoods, such as Rooikrans, Sekelbos, Swarthaak, Rooibos, Mopani, and Kameeldoring, burn hotter and longer, making them ideal for Braais, and in particular, well-cooked meat with crispy fat.
Using dry firewood or Hardwoods, produces less smoke and more heat, making them more efficient. Namibian Hardwoods are also fumigated which ensures no bugs or unwanted critters around the house.
Good forestry practices, such as sustainable harvesting and reforestation, can improve local wood supplies while protecting natural habitats and animal life.
It is important to use locally sourced or ethically imported firewood whenever possible to mitigate any risks and help support local economies.
Cheap Access to Firewood Bags
In South Africa, there are various options available when it comes to cheap firewood for sale. A small bag of Braai or Firewood can start from as little as R25 — R50 depending on the wood type or suppliers and the larger bags go for anything from R50 — R80 depending on the wood or company.
Local Hardwoods from up North as well as Namibian Hardwoods sell for anything from R5 — R8 per kilogram depending on the bag size or source it was purchased from.
Your Exotic Fruitwood bags may set you back from R40 to R100 per bag, depending on bag size, wood type, scarcity, or supplier (Rarely sold loose).
Smoking wood boxes will set you back anything from R100 to R200, if not on sale, also dependent on the season and demand. In Summer, generally, Smoking wood prices rise and then drop again in the Winter months.
For those looking for affordable firewood options in Cape Town, these choices provide a range of options to suit different needs and budgets. Whether for heating or cooking, these cheap firewood options make it easy to stock up on fuel for winter, to enjoy around your Pizza oven, or even at a weekly Braai with family and friends.
Loose piece prices are best to scout for, as the price always differs depending on the source, and rises rather rapidly.
(Price estimates supplied at the time of publishing this article)
Why is Firewood in a moderate to high price bracket?
The trees cut down must be sourced from a sustainable, then cut up, which costs in fuels and oils, chainsaw parts, and chains, lots of labour and chopping woods by axe, the travel costs, plus ware and tare to load and transport to a city near you. It’s a serious job with heavy expenses and the state of the economy forever drives up the labor, tool, and fuel costs enforcing price increases to the wood cutters, suppliers, and consumers.
The impact of the price hits everyone but we love to Braai more than anything else in South Africa, so sometimes all of us don’t allow these few extra Rands to spoil our eternal memories, or experiences. Like milk and bread goes up, wood goes up. We would love to keep constant prices for all but due to these mentioned factors, we have to follow the financial trends as they happen.
In all honesty, it’s not a job for the faint-hearted, it takes some grit and effort to get orders to a customers door and the wood passes so many hands and vehicles before it’s lit up in your braai or fireplace.
From hauling it all out of the bush, to cutting, chopping and loading up the firewood transportation, resulting in far more than the end user sees or could imagine. Bakkies break down, tractors or trucks get stuck in the mud, there is lots to go through to make sure you have the best possible product.
Wood guys face loads of challenges, such as working on the ice cold days, the days with deadly hot temperatures, carrying heavy loads all day which does cause some damage to the body. Far more goes into it than meets the eye, but prices primarily change based on the cost of travel or expenses.
Try it sometime, when you are next out camping, make 100 pieces of loose wood the way you get it delivered currently and let us know your experience, once you’ve done it yourself you’ll respect all that goes into it and will in future be a tiny bit more willing to invest in woods already made and prepared for you to enjoy without any effort.
Wood splitters and high-end machinery are very expensive for the average lumberjack in South Africa, so wood is made by hand, with literal blood sweat, and tears. So when you get your next load of firewood delivered and light a fire, know that a handful of men worked tirelessly to produce that flame which cooks your meat, or warms your home.
Common Piece Lengths for Firewood
Commonly the standard size for a piece of wood in South Africa is about 25cm in length whether spilt or whole. The length of logs or bonfire wood would exceed 25cm and could reach as much as 35cm approximately. The diameter of standard firewood can range from 5cm up to 15cm. In South Africa generally, “a piece, is a piece”, some bigger in size and some smaller, some split, and some round, we do not pick out various sizes, everyone will always receive a good mix of sizes and cuts from nearly every supplier.
Unfortunately, the guys cutting or the farmers providing woods, do not allow any retailer or reseller to pick out any specific sizes, so we too have to take what we get. It is super rare that a supplier will give customers only specific cuts or sizes. if you receive this, you have been done a favour by your supplier. If insisted that a specific cut or size must be supplied, there will be an extra charge attached for the request. And if done once, wont mean that it will always be done.
Mixed sizes are on the menu for everyone, whether in bags or by loose wood. Just think about it quickly, if you are cutting or chopping firewood, you are not going to hit the same length or make the exact mark on every piece so some are fractionally off-size and others are perfect or slightly undersized. Many suppliers split with an axe and some pieces may get chopped smaller than others while splitting the wood, not every shot can be 100% accurate. The consensus is, you may get one piece of wood that is big and makes up for the size difference in the smaller pieces. Although all wood guys want to give you the best they possibly can, this way, there is balance and it is as fair on you as it is to the next customer. There is some equality in this system so therefore it has become the standard practice.
Content Determines Quality and Prices of Wood
The content of wood, including density, moisture content, and natural defects, directly impacts its quality and price. Higher-density wood or the wood that offers more coals, is what suppliers consider to be better quality, as it is more durable and provides longer-lasting heat and energy. Lower-density wood, or soft firewood is often cheaper, as they are less durable and may lead to burning more wood for continued results. Wood with higher water content is also considered lower quality, as it is more prone to smoldering, endless effort, and mold.
Conclusion
When it comes to finding firewood in Cape Town, there are many options available. Whether you prefer to buy loose wood or rather prefer premium-quality bags, there is something for everyone. Gathering your firewood can be far more challenging and become a strenuous and unplanned outdoor activity which may cost you in time or funds. Whichever option you choose, be sure to pay attention to the quality or content of the wood to ensure you always get the best possible results. Make sure to follow this guide carefully and you simply cannot go wrong!
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Article written and published by Mother City Firewood
