Keep reading to learn more about storing firewood for winter.
As winter approaches, ensuring your firewood is properly stored is essential for a warm, cozy season. Storing firewood may seem straightforward, but doing it correctly requires some knowledge and planning. By following the best practices for firewood storage, you can ensure your kindling remains dry, seasoned, and ready to burn whenever you need it. Keep reading to learn more about storing firewood for winter, with an emphasis on keeping your firewood dry and burn-ready.
The Importance of Proper Firewood Storage
Improperly stored firewood can lead to several issues that go beyond wet, hard-to-light logs. Wet wood produces less heat and emits more smoke, which can lead to creosote buildup in your chimney, increasing the risk of fires. Mold, pests, and rot can also invade poorly stored firewood, making it unusable or even hazardous to bring into your home. Proper firewood storage ensures that your wood remains dry, seasoned, and efficient, saving you money, time, and stress during the cold months.
Where to Store Firewood
While it might be convenient to stack firewood close to your home or inside your garage, this isn’t always ideal. Firewood attracts insects and small animals that may venture into your home if given a chance. To avoid unwanted pests, stack your firewood at least 15 to 20 feet away from the house. If proximity is important, consider only bringing in a small amount of wood for immediate use rather than storing your entire supply close to your living space.
Find a Dry, Elevated Spot
Wood stacked directly on the ground will absorb moisture from the soil, making it harder to keep the logs dry. Choose an elevated, well-drained area for stacking your wood. If natural elevation isn’t available, you can use a firewood rack, pallets, or bricks to lift the stack off the ground. This helps airflow circulate under the woodpile, keeping your firewood dry and reducing the chance of rot.
Covering Firewood Without Trapping Moisture
While keeping your firewood dry is essential, improperly covering it can also lead to damage. The best practice is to cover only the top of the stack, leaving the sides open for airflow. Tarp or canvas is an excellent option, but be sure they are tightly secured to avoid wind damage. Avoid covering the entire stack from top to bottom, as this can trap moisture and prevent the wood from drying properly.
Preventing Pests in Your Firewood Supply
Storing firewood indoors or in your basement may invite pests into your home, as wood can harbor insects like termites, ants, and beetles. Instead, store firewood outdoors and bring in only what you need for immediate use.
An elevated stack helps prevent pests from accessing the wood easily, as they’re more likely to inhabit wood that’s close to the ground. Removing bark from the logs can further discourage pests, as insects often lay eggs in the bark. Keep the area around your firewood pile clear of leaves, branches, and debris that could attract pests or retain moisture.
Questions? Lehnhoff’s Supply is Here to Help
If you still have more questions about firewood storage, 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, X – Twitter, and Pinterest!
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