Burnt Out: Exposing the Firewood Hustle in the Berkshires

If you’ve ever bought firewood in the Berkshires, you’ve probably run into some or all of these issues. We certainly did. What began as a mission to find firewood quickly turned into a full-blown frustration with unreliable suppliers, soggy logs, and outdated service. So, we decided to do something about it.
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PROBLEM #1: QUALITY

We ordered from multiple suppliers who claimed to sell “seasoned” and dry firewood. What we got instead was wood with over 20% moisture—wet, hissing, and clearly stored outdoors. Many pieces were infested with bugs or covered in black mold, making them unusable for cooking over fire.

2

Problem #2: OUTDATED ORDERING

Ordering firewood today is often done through phone calls, with no online system in place. Payments are typically limited to cash or checks, making the process inconvenient and outdated. There’s zero digitization—no website, no automated confirmations. Just crossed fingers and a voicemail.

3

PROBLEM #3: TRANSPARENCY + TRUST

There’s no real consistency in how firewood is measured. One supplier’s “cord” might barely fill a pickup truck, while another’s could overflow it—and neither is typically accurate. We’ve standardized our measurements so you know exactly what you’re getting, every time. No guessing games, no short loads.

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PROBLEM #4: MESSY DELIVERIES

Every time I ordered firewood, it was just dumped in my gravel driveway—no heads-up, no cleanup. Months later, it’s still covered in bark and wood chips. At Knotorious, we offer free tarping on request to help protect your driveway and keep things tidy.

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PROBLEM #5: NO STACKING

Once the firewood’s dumped, you’re usually on your own. Sure, it’s a solid workout—but there were plenty of times I would’ve gladly paid someone else to do it. At Knotorious, we offer optional stacking for an additional fee—so you can save your back and spend your time on things that matter more.