How to Store Firewood: The Best Strategies That Work

If you have a fireplace, you know that you need to have a steady supply of firewood to keep it going.

If you’re like most people, you probably store your firewood in the backyard, near the fireplace.

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While this may seem like the most convenient option, it’s actually not the best way to store firewood. Because firewood can get wet and rot. It can also attract bugs and other pests.

So, what’s the best way to store firewood?

The best way to store firewood is in a dry, well-ventilated place that’s away from your house.

If you have a shed or other outbuilding, that’s the ideal spot. If you don’t have an outbuilding, you can store your firewood under a tarp or in a covered area.

Whichever way you choose to store your firewood, make sure that the wood is off the ground and away from the house. This will help ensure that your firewood is dry and ready to use when you need it.

In this blog post, we will discuss the best ways to store your firewood in detail so that you can keep your fireplace going all winter long.

Why Store Firewood?

Your first question may be, “Why do I need to store firewood in the first place?” Can’t I just buy it when I need it and burn it immediately?

While this is an option, it is not always the most convenient or cost-effective method of obtaining wood. It is much easier to have a steady supply of dry, seasoned wood on hand so that you can simply grab it and go when you need it.

This can also save you money in the long run. Having a supply of seasoned wood means that you won’t have to buy wood as often. It also means that you won’t have to pay for firewood that is delivered to your door.

Storing firewood also gives you the opportunity to stock up when the wood is on sale. This can help you save even more money in the long run.

Another reason to store firewood is that it takes time for the wood to cure. If you don’t buy seasoned wood, you’ll need to allow the wood to dry out before you can use it. This can easily take months depending on the type of wood.

By storing firewood, you will not only have a ready supply of wood, but you will also give the wood the time it needs to cure. There is no shortcut to this process. The wood must be properly seasoned before it can be used.

If you try to burn green wood, it will produce a lot of smoke and very little heat. Cured wood, on the other hand, burns hot and produces little smoke.

So, if you want to be able to have a fire when you need one and don’t want to spend a lot of money on wood, it’s best to store your own.

So, now that we’ve answered the question of “why store firewood,” let’s move on to discussing the best ways to store it.

The Best Ways to Store Firewood

There are some essential and optional elements to consider when storing firewood. We will discuss both so that you can make the best decision for your needs.

Lift the wood off the ground

The ground is one of the worst places to store firewood. It is often damp, which can cause the wood to rot.

If you live in an area with a lot of rain or snow, the ground can become saturated and your wood will be sitting in water.

This will cause the wood to rot very quickly. Even if you live in an area with a dry climate, the ground can still be damp from morning dew or irrigation.

Another thing to consider is that the ground is home to many insects and other pests. These critters will happily make their homes in your woodpile and can cause damage to the wood.

So, it’s best to lift the wood off the ground when you store it. This can be done by using a firewood rack or stacking the wood on pallets. Leave some space between the pieces of wood to allow for air circulation.

If you live in an area with a lot of rainfall, you may want to consider the height of the carrying rack. The wood should be high enough off the ground that it will not be sitting in any puddles that may form.

If you are looking to build a firewood rack, there are many plans available online.

You can also find ready-made racks at your local home improvement store. However, it is best to use a rack made from steel or aluminum. Wooden racks will rot over time and will not last as long as metal racks.

Stacking the wood on pallets is also a good option. This is an inexpensive way to lift the wood off the ground.

You can often find pallets for free from local businesses. Just be sure to check that the pallets are clean and free of chemicals before using them.

If you choose to use pallets, make sure that they are in good condition. Broken or rotted pallets can collapse and cause the wood to fall. Also, a rotted pallet can introduce insects and other pests into your woodpile.

Stack the wood in a criss-cross pattern

Stacking the wood in a criss-cross pattern is the best way to store it. This will allow for air circulation and will prevent the wood from rotting.

When stacking the wood, start with a layer of larger pieces. Then, stack smaller pieces on top of that in a criss-cross pattern. Be sure to leave some space between the pieces of wood to allow for air circulation.

If you are stacking the wood on a firewood rack, you can use wire or straps to hold the wood in place. This will prevent the wood from falling off the rack and will keep it securely in place.

If you are stacking the wood on pallets, be sure to secure the pallets to each other. This will prevent them from shifting and will keep the wood stable. You can use ropes, straps, or even chains to secure the pallets.

Cover the woodpile

Once the wood is stacked, it’s important to cover it. This will protect the wood from the elements and will prevent it from getting wet.

You can use a tarp, plastic sheeting, or any other type of waterproof material. Be sure to secure the cover so that it doesn’t blow away in the wind.

You can also build a roof over the woodpile. This will provide even more protection from the elements. If you choose to do this, be sure to use materials that will not rot or decay.

However, don’t solely rely on a roof to protect the wood. The rain can still blow under the roof and wet the wood. The roof can leak, and the wood can still get wet.

It’s best to use a cover in addition to a roof. Be sure to check the wood regularly to make sure that it is not getting wet. Storing your firewood off the ground and under a cover will help to keep it dry and in good condition.

Choose a good storage location

When choosing a location to store your firewood, there are a few things to consider.

First, you’ll want to choose an area that is close to your home. This will make it easy to bring the wood inside when you need it.

It’s also important to choose an area that is not directly exposed to the elements. If possible, choose an area that is sheltered from the wind and rain.

Because covering the wood is not foolproof, it’s best to store it in an area where it will be protected from the elements as much as possible.

Some good storage locations include a garage, shed, or covered porch. If you don’t have any of these, you can also store the wood in a storage container. That said, your selected storage location should be dry and well-ventilated.

If you just place the wood into a container without any ventilation, the wood will rot. Be sure to have a lid for the container, but also drill holes in the sides to allow for air circulation.

In fact, if you can find a large enough container, you can install a small ventilator fan. This will help to circulate the air and keep the wood dry.

There are many different types of fans that don’t require much energy to run. So this can be a good option as it will not only store the wood but also help to dry it similar to a kiln.

Make sure the wood is dry before you store it

One of the most important things to remember is that the wood must be dry before you store it.

If the wood is too wet, it will produce a lot of smoke when you try to burn it. Wet wood is more likely to rot, and it can also attract insects and other pests.

You don’t need to measure the moisture content of the wood before taking it to the storage space.

However, you can tell if it’s too wet by looking at it and feeling it. If the wood is heavy or feels damp, it’s too wet not only for burning but also for storage.

If the wood is green or has a lot of sap, it’s too wet to store. In this case, you’ll need to let it dry out before you store it.

The best way to dry the wood is by splitting it into smaller pieces. This will help the air circulate around the wood and will speed up the drying process. It is best to use a kiln to dry the wood, but you can also let it air dry.

If you have access to sunny, dry days, you can bring the wood outside and let it dry in the sun. Be sure to cover it during the night so dew does not settle on it and make it wet again.

Check the wood regularly

Nothing is perfect, and even the best storage methods can fail. That’s why it’s important to check the wood regularly to make sure that it is not getting wet. If you see any signs of moisture, take action to dry the wood as soon as possible.

One way to do this is to bring the wet wood inside and place it in a warm, dry location. You can also use a dehumidifier to help remove moisture from the air. If you have a lot of wet wood, you can also use a wood kiln.

A wood kiln is a large, enclosed structure that uses heat and fans to dry the wood. This is a more intensive method, but it can be very effective.

How to keep your wood dry and free from pests?

Once you have your wood in the storage location, there are a few things you can do to keep it dry and free from pests.

Keep storage area clean and tidy

Keeping the storage area clean and tidy will go a long way in keeping your wood dry and free from pests. Be sure to sweep up any sawdust or wood chips that accumulate.

You should also remove any pieces of bark or leaves that fall into the storage area. By immediately removing these things, you will create a drier and less inviting environment for pests.

Use a wood stove or fireplace

You can try storing your firewood wood in the same room as your wood stove or fireplace. The heat from these appliances will help to keep the wood dry and free from pests.

Moreover, since you’ll be using the space regularly, you’ll have a chance to inspect the wood and make sure it’s in good condition.

It is important to note that you should never store the wood directly on top of or near the wood stove.

The accidental ignition of the stove or fireplace could cause a fire. Therefore, keep the wood a safe distance away from any heat source.

Also, use a screen to cover the fireplace or wood stove since this will help to prevent sparks from igniting the wood.

Use a dehumidifier

If you have to store the wood in a basement or a room that doesn’t have much human activity, you should consider using a dehumidifier. Rooms that are damp or have high humidity levels are more likely to attract pests.

A dehumidifier will help to remove the moisture from the air and will make the room less inviting for pests.

Use mothballs

Mothballs are little balls of chemical insecticide and deodorant that are occasionally used to store garments and other goods that are susceptible to mold or moth larvae damage.

They can also be used to keep firewood free from pests. Simply place a few mothballs near the wood, and they will help to keep the area free from insects. Make sure to keep mothballs out of the reach of children and pets when using them.

Use pest control traps

Pest control traps are a great way to keep your wood storage area free from pests.

There are a variety of different traps available. It may be hard to know in advance what kind of pest you will have to deal with.

However, there are multi-use traps that can be effective against a variety of different pests. These traps can be an inexpensive and easy way to keep your wood storage area free from pests.

Use a wood preservative

If you plan on storing the wood for a long period of time, you may want to consider using a wood preservative.

This will help to keep the wood from rotting. There are a number of different wood preservatives available.

You can find them at most hardware stores or online. Be sure to choose a preservative that is intended to protect firewood. The preservative you will use must:

Buy kiln-dried wood

If you aren’t preparing the wood yourself, you should try to buy kiln-dried wood. This type of wood has been dried in a kiln, which is a large oven. The kiln removes most of the moisture from the wood.

As a result, kiln-dried wood is less likely to rot or attract pests. It is also easier to light since it has less moisture. You can find kiln-dried wood at most hardware stores or online retailers.