How to Properly Store Firewood

Proper firewood storage ensures that dry, seasoned logs are ready for burning when the cold months roll in. At Hawkins Landscape Supply, we deliver high-quality, seasoned firewood to your door, but it’s up to you to store it correctly to maintain its quality. Improper storage can lead to moisture buildup, making the wood difficult to burn and even creating mold or insect problems. Here’s how you can store your firewood the right way.

Choosing the Right Location for Firewood Storage

The first step in storing firewood is selecting the proper location. Ideally, you want to store your firewood outdoors in a dry and well-ventilated area. Firewood needs air circulation to continue the seasoning process and to prevent the logs from absorbing excess moisture from rain or humidity. While some homeowners may be tempted to keep firewood indoors or close to the house, outdoor storage is typically better unless you have a dedicated firewood shed.

When storing outdoors, keeping your firewood away from your home’s walls is important to avoid pest issues, like termites, that could migrate into your home. You also want a spot that’s easy to access during the colder months, so you’re not trekking through snow to reach your woodpile.

Elevating the Firewood for Better Airflow

One crucial aspect of proper firewood storage is keeping the logs off the ground. Stacking firewood directly on soil can lead to moisture seeping into the bottom logs, causing them to rot or attract insects. To avoid this, use pallets, concrete blocks, or a designated firewood rack to elevate the pile.

Raising your firewood off the ground also promotes air circulation underneath the stack, which helps with drying and prevents moisture from getting trapped. This step ensures that the entire pile, from top to bottom, is in optimal condition for burning when needed.

How to Properly Cover Your Firewood

Protecting your firewood from rain and snow is essential, but it’s equally important not to trap moisture. A tarp or firewood cover can shield the top of your woodpile from the elements, but make sure it’s loosely draped. Covering your stack completely may cause moisture to accumulate and encourage mold growth.

Leave the sides of your firewood pile open to allow air to circulate and help the wood continue drying. A proper cover should only protect the top and a portion of the sides, ensuring the firewood stays dry while remaining well-ventilated.

Stacking Firewood Neatly and Efficiently

The way you stack your firewood plays a significant role in how well it dries and how accessible it is. Stack the wood in rows with space between them for maximum efficiency to encourage airflow. You can use a criss-cross stacking method or leave small gaps between logs to ensure air can move freely through the pile.

A well-stacked firewood pile will be sturdy and less likely to collapse, making it easier to manage throughout the season. Neat stacking also helps prevent mold by allowing every piece of firewood to benefit from good ventilation and exposure to the sun.

Seasoning Firewood for Optimal Burning

We deliver seasoned firewood at Hawkins Landscape Supply, but continued storage ensures it’s in top condition when needed. Seasoning refers to reducing the moisture content in the wood, making it easier to ignite and burn efficiently. Depending on the type of wood, seasoning can take anywhere from six months to a year, with hardwoods generally taking longer than softwoods.

Proper stacking and ventilation help to continue the seasoning process when storing firewood. It’s crucial to allow your firewood to dry out fully before burning, as wet wood not only produces less heat but also creates more smoke and creosote buildup in your chimney, which can be dangerous.

Regular Firewood Inspections to Maintain Quality

To keep your firewood in optimal condition, inspect the pile regularly. Look for signs of mold, insects, or dampness, and remove any compromised logs to avoid affecting the rest of the pile. Rotating the stack periodically also ensures that all the wood is drying evenly. Firewood that remains on the bottom or inside the pile for too long may not dry properly, so flipping and rotating the wood can help ensure every piece is in good shape.

Regular inspections are also an excellent time to check your firewood cover and ensure it provides your logs’ protection. You may need to adjust the tarp or firewood cover to accommodate changing weather conditions, especially during heavy rains or snowfall.

Why Proper Firewood Storage Matters

Properly storing your firewood is essential to maintaining its quality and ensuring it’s ready to use when you need it most. Moisture is the biggest enemy of firewood, and without the right precautions, your logs can become damp and difficult to burn. Damp firewood not only produces more smoke but also leads to the buildup of creosote in your chimney, which is a fire hazard.

Proper storage also helps prevent the growth of mold, which can spread throughout the firewood pile, and discourages pests from making your firewood their home. At Hawkins Landscape Supply, we want our customers to enjoy the full benefit of the seasoned firewood we deliver, and that starts with storing it correctly to keep it dry, pest-free, and ready for your fireplace or wood stove.

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