Be mindful of how and where you stow your firewood and what to do when you bring it inside for burning.
Nothing is more relaxing than enjoying the warmth of a fire on a cold day. To maximize your firewood inventory, you should have enough to get you through the cooler months and into the spring season. Besides choosing the right wood that catches fire quickly and burns evenly, your firewood must be properly stored, so it remains dry and readily available when you need it most. Be mindful of how and where you stow your firewood and what to do when you bring it inside for burning. Keep reading for several important do’s and don’ts of storing firewood.
Do Store Firewood At a Safe Distance
When storing firewood, it should be between 5 and 20 feet from your home. If you stack the wood next to a structure, the wood must be a few inches away to ensure airflow. Stacking pieces too close to your home makes them a fire hazard, increasing the risk of fire. They can also attract pests and rodents looking for shelter from the cold. Wood-boring pests can easily tunnel directly from the wood into the structure.
Don’t Store Firewood on the Ground
Make sure your firewood is not sitting directly on the ground. If firewood has direct contact with soil, it will absorb moisture from the earth and make an ideal habitat for insects and fungi.
It would be best to build your woodpile upwards, leaving a space between the wood and any walls to allow air to circulate. Keep the wood off the ground using a block, brick, log rack or other material. Doing this exposes the wood to stronger airflows and quickens the drying process. You can also use log rack brackets to stack firewood easily.
Do Use the Old Wood First
You have likely heard the “first in, first out” rule, which applies to firewood storage. When storing your firewood, put the newest logs on the bottom and the oldest ones on top. This method helps mitigate pests and prevent infestations affecting wood sitting for too long. Using the oldest wood first also ensures you use the most seasoned firewood.
Don’t Store Firewood Indoors
Some people store firewood inside, but it is not recommended to do so. Although storing wood indoors may seem convenient, insects can hide inside the wood and invade your home. Keeping the wood inside can also prevent airflow, causing your firewood to rot faster.
Questions? Lehnhoff’s Supply is Here to Help
If you still have more questions about how to best store your firewood for winter or spring, the trained professionals at Lehnhoff’s Supply are here to help you.
Find us at 2708 Belair Road, Fallston, MD 21047 and give us a call at 410-510-7646. For tips, tricks, and to see what we have been up to, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!
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