How to Store Firewood
4 Firewood storage tips
It is more cost-effective and far more convenient to buy firewood in bulk, but this created a need for firewood storage. In this article we will share our tips on how to store firewood, whether it’s better to store wood logs outdoors or indoors, as well as some wood storage ideas.
The main things to remember when storing firewood are:
- Choose the right place
- Stack the logs properly
- Keep it off the ground
- Protect the top ot the stack
Firewood is very susceptible to the elements like rain and snow, which accelerate decay, so it is important how you store it. You should protect your logs from mold and fungus or wood won’t burn well. Here is how to store fire logs properly.
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4 tips to store firewood
1. Choosing a place to store firewood
Where is the best place to store firewood?
A good place to store firewood will be dry, well ventilated, not exposed to rain or snow and ideally sunny. It will also be somewhere close to the fireplace, but at the same time not in the way.
Can I store firewood at home?
You can store firewood at home, but only small amounts. It’s better to keep the main stack of wood outside of your home and bring inside the house only the wood you will need over the next two to five days. Why? You want to avoid attracting insects living in the logs, but at the same time you want the logs to dry out well and warm them up before putting them in the fire.
How do you store firewood indoors?
If you store firewood indoors, e.g. in a shed, don’t stack your wood against a building’s wall, especially if it’s a wooden wall. You don’t want the insects or beetles from the wood to feed on your walls! To organize your indoor wood storage, you can use a wood rack. Some fireplaces have built-in log storage as well.
2. Stacking firewood
What is the best way to stack firewood?
You should always stack your firewood properly, don’t leave it in a disorganised pile.
There are various wood stacking methods, but in general a good stack allows airflow under and around the logs. It should also have some space left between the logs, so the moisture can escape from inside of the stack.
Can I stack wood logs against the wall?
No, to stack firewood against a wall is not the best practice, as it does not allow the air to circulate freely around the stack.
3. Keeping firewood off the ground
Wood left on the ground will absorb a lot of moisture causing the growth of mold and fungus as well as a quicker wood decay. Apart from that, insects and bugs will easily get into it and will likely bring at least some of them indoors.
How to keep wood off the ground?
To keep the wood off the ground, you can use a wood rack, concrete slabs or any other material which will keep it a few inches above the ground, ideally allowing air circulation underneath as well.
4. Firewood covers
Do you need to cover firewood?
Yes, it’s better to cover firewood. Although firewood can be left in the open, a protection of a cover will slow down the decay.
What do you cover firewood with?
Should I cover my wood pile with a tarp?
Yes, covering firewood with a tarp is one of the most popular ways of protecting it from direct rain or snow. Remember to tie it down on the corners or simply put a few logs on top to prevent it from blowing away.
Other things to cover firewood with
You can also use plywood, a sheet of plastic or metal, or anything else that will stop the water from pouring onto your firewood.
But remember, when covering your firewood, protect it only from the top and leave the sides uncovered to allow air circulation. Otherwise molds can develop and your firewood will rot away quickly.
Firewood storage options
DIY wood storage
First, let’s look into this DIY firewood storage idea. This short video shows how to build a wood storage rack with no tools and at a very low cost:
Wood sheds
If you are looking for ready made wood storage ideas, here are two: a wooden wood shed and a wood storage shelter.
Combination Firewood and Storage Shed
Outdoor Wood Storage Shed
View on Amazon
View in the Shop
Common questions about firewood storage
Is it better to store wood indoors or outdoors?
Definitely outdoors. It’s better to store most of your firewood supply outdoors, unless you have a dedicated, well ventilated wood shed for it. You should only bring inside your home the wood you will need over the next few days.
What is the best way to store firewood outside?
The best way to store firewood is to stack it in a wood shed. You need a roof over the logs, but walls aren’t necessary. The wood should stay dry or dry easily if it catches some moisture, so it needs airflow from each side.
How long can you store firewood? How long is firewood good for?
Well, firewood doesn’t have a ‘use by’ date. But very old wood is less calorific, won’t produce much heat while burning and will burn out more quickly. How long you can store wood for will depend on the type of wood, but in general you should use it in about four years if you want to make the most of it. Of course, you can use it after that as well, but it will be lower quality firewood. It’s best to use the oldest wood first.
How to prevent mold and decay when storing firewood?
Molds can grow on your firewood in a highly humid environment. To prevent firwood from getting moldy you can do the following:
- place it above the ground with a space underneath, e.g. on a pallet or a wood rack
- protect it from excessive rain or snow
- allow good ventilation between the logs and around the pile
Can firewood get rained on?
Yes, there is nothing wrong with fire logs getting rained on, however you won’t be able to use it immediately and you will need to dry it first. Wood will also deteriorate quicker if it’s exposed to rain for a longer period of time. So although firewood can get rained on, if it was to happen for a long time, it’s better to put it under a roof or cover it with something.
How far from the house should firewood be stored?
First, check if there are any local regulations on how far from a building wood can be stored. If there aren’t any requirements, a few inches away from the wall will be enough to provide some airflow.
Is it OK to stack firewood next to the house?
Yes, you can stack firewood next to the house, but you need to leave a few inches of space between the logs and the wall to allow air flow.
Can you store firewood in the basement or attic?
Storing your logs in a basement or attic may be convenient, but it’s not the ideal place, as insects and rodents are attracted to the stack. You may end up having unwanted guests in your house! It’s better to store your logs outdoors or in a wood shed away from your home.
Should firewood be stored in a garage?
Although storing wood outdoors is better you can store your wood in a garage. But doing this you need to be extra careful. If you keep any flammable materials in your garage where there’s a chance that the wood catches fire. If you can dedicate your garage only to the wood storage, that’s fine. But if you store any flammable liquids or use any equipment which can produce sparks or heat, you may create a fire hazard. You also need to ensure that the garage is well ventilated, otherwise the wood won’t dry property and won’t burn well.
Can I store firewood in my shed?
If you don’t have another option, you can, but a shed is not the best place to store wood (unless it’s a specially designed open wood shed). If you store wood in a closed shed, it won’t dry properly, plus it will put a lot of weight on the shed and may put it off kilter damaging the shed.
Can you store firewood in a shipping container?
A shipping container is not the best solution for wood storage, unless the wood is completely dry or there is ventilation in the container (which usually isn’t the case).
Can you store firewood in a plastic container?
Yes, you can store your firewood in a plastic container if both the container and the wood are completely dry. You can store your wood logs in a large container indoors, but don’t cover it with a lead to allow the moisture to escape. But this wouldn’t work outdoors, as you shouldn’t cover it, the rain would pour inside the box.
Is storing firewood a fire hazard?
Storing firewood isn’t usually a fire hazard, but it will depend on the circumstances. You need to pay attention to any flammable materials near the logs, fire sources or any equipment which can produce sparks or heat, basically anything that could set the wood on fire.
Should I cover wet firewood?
If your firewood gets wet, you can cover it from top to protect it from the rain. You can also put it somewhere under a roof. But don’t cover the sides of the wood stack, as without air circulation it will go moldy and will rot.
Should firewood be covered in the summer?
It depends on the water you get in the summer. If you have a dry summer, you can leave the logs uncovered. But if you get a lot of rain, it would be good to cover the wood with a tarp.
Where do you store firewood in the summer and winter?
In general, storing firewood in the summer and winter is the same. The same rules apply: store it outdoors, keep it dry, stack it off the ground with good air circulation around.
When to cut wood for storage?
The best time to cut wood for storage is in late summer or autumn, as at that time there are already fewer bugs around which could get into your wood.
Final notes
So here you have the 4 main rules which will help you to store your firewood properly. Yet there is one more thing which is important to add: do not treat your firewood with insecticide. When you burn the firewood inside of your home, the fumes from treated wood can be harmful to you, your close ones or even your pets.
If you store your fire logs right, they will burn well giving off a lot of heat and you will enjoy a vibrant fire in your fireplace or fire pit.
