Firewood storage is more than just a matter of convenience—it's a critical aspect of maintaining the quality of the wood and ensuring efficient burning to maximise the value of your fuel supply.
Whether you rely on firewood for heating, cooking, or simply for creating a cosy atmosphere, understanding how to properly store your firewood will significantly impact your overall experience.
The primary goals of firewood storage are simple yet crucial: keep the wood dry, prevent rot, and maintain optimal conditions that preserve the wood's burning potential. Here’s our advice on how to store kiln dried logs.
Firewood Basics
Not all wood is created equal when it comes to burning. Hardwoods like ash, oak, and beech are prized for their dense composition and long-burning characteristics, while softwoods like pine can be useful for kindling but burn more quickly. However, the most critical factor in firewood quality is moisture content.
· Wood that’s too wet simply won't burn efficiently—it produces more smoke, generates less heat, and can lead to creosote build-up in chimneys.
· Ideally, firewood should have a moisture content of 20% or less, which is typically achieved through a proper seasoning and storage process.
· Our kiln dried logs have already been dried to this moisture level, so all you need to do is keep them dry rather than seasoning them.
Choosing the Right Location for Firewood Storage
Selecting the right storage location is paramount to maintaining the quality of the wood. A dedicated wood shed provides the most effective protection, offering shelter from the rain and damp while maintaining crucial air circulation.
Open-sided wood shelters are another excellent option, allowing wind to pass through while keeping the top of the woodpile dry.
It's not just moisture from rain you need to be mindful of, but also dampness seeping in from the ground. A firewood rack with a vapour barrier underneath is a popular way to achieve this, but you could also place the wood on a concrete slab or large patio stones to create a sturdy base.
· If you have limited space in your garden, a covered wood pile protected by a well-secured tarp can also be effective.
· Position the woodpile where it receives some sunlight and wind but no moisture, which will help in the drying and seasoning process.
Firewood Stacking Techniques
Knowing how to stack firewood properly is both an art and a science. You want to create stable, well-organised stacks that promote air circulation. Cross-stacking—where alternate layers are placed perpendicular to each other—helps create natural air channels that speed up the seasoning process.
· Keep the stack height reasonable, typically no more than four to five feet tall, to prevent instability and potential collapse.
· Width is less critical, but ensure the pile isn't so wide that the centre becomes inaccessible or fails to dry properly.
· Try to avoid the common mistake of creating tightly packed, uniform stacks that restrict airflow.
Firewood Seasoning and Drying
Seasoning is the process of drying wood to reduce its moisture content. Most wood requires six to twelve months of proper storage to season completely. During this time, the wood should be exposed to air and protected from constant moisture.
· Properly seasoned wood, such as our kiln-dried logs, makes a distinctive cracking sound when knocked together, appears grey or darker in colour, and has visible cracks or splits in the end grain.
· Storage plays a crucial role in this process—choose a location with good air circulation, partial sunlight, and protection from constant rain for the best results.
Preventing Pest and Rot Issues
Wood piles can easily become breeding grounds for insects and fungal growth if they’re not managed correctly. Ants, woodlice, and wood-boring beetles find unseasoned, moist wood particularly appealing.
· Regularly inspect the wood for signs of infestation or decay, removing and disposing of any compromised pieces, and maintaining a clean, well-ventilated storage space.
Safety Considerations
Safety should always be a primary concern when storing firewood. Make sure there’s a significant distance between the wood storage and your home—experts recommend at least 20 feet—to reduce fire risks and prevent potential pest migration.
· Avoid storing firewood against wooden structures or near your home's foundation, as this can create pathways for insects and moisture damage.
· If indoor storage is the only option, we recommend using a designated area like a shed, ensuring the wood is kept on a raised platform and away from living spaces.
When you have the right approach to storing firewood, it's easy to keep a fire going and enjoy the colder seasons. The effort invested in creating an optimal storage system pays dividends in improved burning performance, reduced waste, and the satisfaction of a well-managed wood supply for throughout the winter.
For a wide range of logs, fuel and landscaping products, browse the Heritage Products website or get in touch with our team for expert advice.