WoodDrop

    WoodDrop Help

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Answers about ordering firewood, delivery, wood selection, payment, storage, and returns. Each answer names the subject and gives you the full picture in the first sentence.

    Ordering

    How do I place a firewood order on WoodDrop?

    Browse the shop at wooddrop.co.za, select your wood type and quantity, then choose a delivery window. Enter your delivery address, pay by card through iKhokha, and a vetted Cape Town supplier delivers the wood to your door in the window you selected. No account is required to complete a purchase.

    Do I need to create an account?

    WoodDrop does not require an account. Your WhatsApp number identifies your order — you receive a one-time PIN to confirm it is yours. Past orders are accessible by signing in with the same WhatsApp number at any time. For a once-off order you can complete checkout without creating any profile.

    What is a Drop?

    A Drop is WoodDrop's standard delivery unit — approximately 15 kg of firewood, roughly a full wheelbarrow load. Kindling Drops are approximately 10 kg. For larger quantities, a half-bakkie is approximately 255 kg (17 Drops) and a full bakkie is approximately 510 kg (34 Drops). All weights are approximate because natural firewood varies by species and cut size.

    Can I change or cancel my order after placing it?

    Message WoodDrop on WhatsApp (+27 60 018 9663) with your order number as soon as possible. If a supplier has not yet accepted, cancellation is straightforward. Once a supplier has accepted and dispatched, it may not be possible to cancel. See WoodDrop's Returns & Refund Policy for full details.

    Can I order a gift voucher for someone else?

    WoodDrop gift vouchers are available at wooddrop.co.za/gift. Enter the recipient's name, a personal message, and the voucher amount, then pay by card. The voucher is sent to the recipient by WhatsApp or email and can be redeemed at checkout on any WoodDrop order. Vouchers do not expire.

    Delivery

    Where does WoodDrop deliver?

    WoodDrop delivers across Cape Town. Coverage is confirmed at checkout when you enter your delivery address — the platform shows whether your suburb is within the current delivery area. If your suburb is not yet covered, you will be informed at that step.

    What are WoodDrop's delivery hours?

    WoodDrop deliveries are available Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 7 pm and Sundays from 8 am to 5 pm. Delivery windows are chosen by you at checkout and confirmed once payment is made. WoodDrop does not schedule deliveries outside these hours.

    How do I choose a delivery window?

    When you reach the delivery window step at checkout, available slots are shown for upcoming dates. Select the date and window that fits your schedule. You can include a delivery note with access instructions — for example, a gate code or preferred drop-off spot — at the same step.

    What if nobody is home when firewood arrives?

    Include delivery instructions at checkout — for example, 'leave at the gate' or 'ring bell for building 4'. If access cannot be gained and the supplier must return with the wood, a re-delivery fee may apply. Message WoodDrop on WhatsApp as soon as possible if a delivery window change is needed.

    Can I track my delivery?

    You receive a WhatsApp message when a supplier accepts your order and another when delivery is on its way. If you need a timing update before the delivery message arrives, contact WoodDrop on WhatsApp (+27 60 018 9663) with your order number and we will check with the supplier.

    Wood selection

    Which wood is best for braai?

    Kameeldoring (R110/Drop) is WoodDrop's top braai wood — it burns for 4–5 hours and produces dense, long-lasting coals ideal for low-and-slow cooking. Sekelbos (R110) burns 3–4 hours with a consistent coal bed, great for ribs or chicken. Rooikrans (R89) lights faster and burns hot — a good choice for a quick weeknight sear. See the full braai wood guide.

    Which wood is best for an open fireplace?

    Blue Gum (R89/Drop) and Black Wattle (R89/Drop) are WoodDrop's open-fireplace hardwoods. Both are moisture-tested to 10–15 % and produce low smoke output, which matters for indoor use. Blue Gum burns 2–3 hours; Black Wattle 2.5–3.5 hours with slightly more pieces per Drop. See the fireplace wood guide for more detail.

    Which wood should I use in a closed combustion stove?

    Blue Gum, Black Wattle, Kameeldoring, Sekelbos, and Mopane are all suitable for closed combustion and slow combustion stoves. Mopane (R139/Drop) is the densest option at approximately 1 060 kg/m³ and burns for 4–6 hours — the longest burn of any wood in the catalogue. See the closed combustion guide for load-size guidance.

    What does moisture content mean and why does it matter?

    Moisture content is the percentage of a log's weight that is water. Wood above 25 % — called green or wet wood — burns inefficiently, produces heavy smoke, and causes creosote build-up in flues and stove glass. WoodDrop only lists wood with moisture content in the 10–18 % range, confirmed by moisture-meter testing before any batch reaches the catalogue.

    Why is Kameeldoring harder to light than other woods?

    Kameeldoring has a density of approximately 1 100 kg/m³ — denser than most other hardwoods — and requires sustained heat to ignite. Use a paraffin or wax firelighter under the stack rather than paper alone, and allow 20–30 minutes of build-up before cooking. The result is long-burning coals that outlast any lighter wood by a significant margin.

    What is Vine wood and is it sustainable?

    Vine wood (Wingerd) comes from Western Cape wine estates. Vinestock is pruned annually as part of normal viticulture — the wood is a by-product, not a purpose-grown crop. Vine burns quickly and adds a mild aromatic quality. It is a seasonal product with limited supply, typically available in winter and early spring at R79/Drop.

    What is the difference between Kameeldoring, Mopane, and Sekelbos?

    All three are dense Southern African hardwoods but differ in burn profile. Kameeldoring (1 100 kg/m³, R110) burns hottest with the best braai coals. Mopane (1 060 kg/m³, R139) burns longest and is best for overnight stove loading. Sekelbos (970 kg/m³, R110) sits between the two — long-burning for braai but more widely available in Cape Town.

    Payment

    What payment methods does WoodDrop accept?

    WoodDrop accepts Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards, processed securely by iKhokha. Payment is taken online when you confirm your order. WoodDrop does not store card details — your card number, CVV, and expiry are handled directly by iKhokha and never seen by WoodDrop.

    When is payment taken?

    Payment is taken when you confirm your order, before a supplier accepts. If no supplier accepts your order within the expected window, WoodDrop will contact you and initiate a refund. The charge appears on your card statement as WoodDrop or iKhokha, depending on your bank.

    Is it safe to pay online on WoodDrop?

    Yes. All card processing is handled by iKhokha, a South African payment provider that encrypts every transaction. WoodDrop's own servers never receive or store your card details. The checkout page runs over HTTPS and the payment form is served directly from iKhokha's secure infrastructure.

    Storage

    How should I store firewood after delivery?

    Store firewood off the ground — on a pallet or purpose-built rack — in a dry, ventilated area. Cover the top with a waterproof sheet but leave the sides open so air can circulate. Avoid stacking directly against a wall, which traps moisture. WoodDrop wood arrives moisture-tested and ready to burn; correct storage keeps it at that level between delivery and use.

    How long will firewood last in storage?

    Properly stored hardwood remains at optimal moisture and burn quality for at least two to three years. Softer woods like Vine may begin to degrade after one season if exposed to rain or humidity. The key factor is keeping moisture content low — wood that gets wet in storage will dry out again if re-stacked correctly in a ventilated space.

    Returns and refunds

    What if my firewood doesn't light?

    WoodDrop's money-back guarantee applies if your wood does not light when used with a proper firelighter and standard fire-lighting technique. Message WoodDrop on WhatsApp (+27 60 018 9663) with your order number and a description of the problem. WoodDrop will investigate and apply a refund if the wood is confirmed defective or wet.

    Can I return unused firewood?

    Under the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, you may return unused firewood within 7 days of delivery at your own shipping cost. Under the Consumer Protection Act, if wood is defective or not as described, WoodDrop covers the return cost. The full policy is at wooddrop.co.za/legal.

    How long do refunds take?

    Approved refunds are returned to the card used at checkout via iKhokha. Processing time is typically 24–72 hours from approval, depending on your bank. WoodDrop confirms the refund by WhatsApp once it has been initiated. If you have not received a refund after 5 business days, contact WoodDrop on WhatsApp with your order number.

    Still have a question?

    Message WoodDrop on WhatsApp — +27 60 018 9663 — or email [email protected]. We respond to WhatsApp messages during delivery hours.