Blue Gum

How much Blue Gum do I need?

Blue Gum goes roughly three to four evening fires per Drop (≈ 18 kg) in an open fireplace, or two to three braai sessions on a mid-size grill. For a Cape Town winter with fires three times a week across four months, plan on a half-bakkie (≈ 306 kg / 17 Drops). Blue Gum is the most practical all-purpose firewood in the catalogue.

How long does Blue Gum burn?

Blue Gum burns for two to three hours per Drop in an open fireplace or stove. The density of 860 kg/m³ is medium-high — dense enough to produce a steady coal bed and hold a fire for a full evening. A single large piece weighs approximately 600 g to 1 kg.

Blue Gum vs Black Wattle

Blue Gum and Black Wattle are priced the same at R89/Drop and both come from Western Cape invasive-clearing or plantation operations. Blue Gum at 860 kg/m³ lights a few minutes faster; Black Wattle at 800 kg/m³ burns longer per Drop. For longer burns choose Black Wattle. For easier ignition and the safer closed-combustion choice, choose Blue Gum.

How to light Blue Gum

Blue Gum lights reliably with a single firelighter cube and two to three pieces of kindling. Place the firelighter at the base, stack kindling in a tent above it, then add two pieces of Blue Gum on top. No second firelighter cube needed under normal dry conditions.

Storing Blue Gum in Cape Town

Blue Gum arrives at 10–15% moisture and holds that level if kept dry. In Cape Town, the main storage risk is the south-easterly wind driving rain sideways into an open wood store. Cover the top of the stack with a waterproof sheet and leave the sides open for air circulation. If wood gets wet, re-stack loosely in a ventilated spot and it will dry back to burning condition within two weeks.

Common questions about Blue Gum