Tips For Properly Storing Seasoned Firewood

Making sure that you have enough firewood to last you through the winter means planning far in advance

. Freshly cut and split logs are never recommended for burning because of their considerable moisture content; only seasoned firewood, which has an ideal moisture content of 15% to 20%, will provide you with an efficient fire that produces low emissions. According to the Wood Heat Organization, properly seasoned firewood has been "cut, split, and stacked...in the early spring and [left to] stand in the sun and wind all summer." Wood that is stacked in a single row, rather than stacked in back to back rows or thrown into a pile, makes it possible for more air to circulate and more moisture to evaporate. Prepared in this manner, firewood can be ready for burning in six months, but it never hurts to save the wood you cut and split this year for next year's winter fires.

Storing your seasoned firewood properly is a matter of significant importance, and there are any number of options available. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when deciding how and where to store your seasoned firewood.

Convenience and Insect Deterrence

Seasoned firewood that you plan to use for the upcoming winter should be easy to get to, but keeping logs against an outside wall of your home is not the best approach. Firewood attracts pests, and if logs are stored next to the house, pests can enter your home or cause damage to the exterior wall of your home. A couple of the best, most convenient places to store seasoned firewood are next to a fence or next to the shed or other outdoor storage building. If you find proof that your firewood is infested by insects, do not give into the temptation to douse the firewood with pesticides because burning these logs will create harmful toxic vapors.

Protection From Moisture

So that your firewood burns efficiently, it should stay dry while outdoors. If enough space is available inside your outdoor shed or storage building, then firewood can be kept dry there. As an alternative, a basic tarp can cover your firewood to prevent it from taking in moisture from rain or snow. Tarps are low in cost and can be fastened down quickly and easily to prevent them from blowing away. If your stack of firewood is stored in a place on your property that is not visible to passersby, then choosing to cover the stack with a tarp will not hurt your home's "curb appeal."

Elevation and Air Circulation

If stored directly on the ground, firewood can attract insects and absorb moisture. Storing your firewood in a sturdy Firewood Rack will keep your logs elevated, promote air circulation, and prevent wood rot and insect infestation. A Firewood Rack can be built by hand with wood, but a rugged tubular steel-framed Firewood Rack is easy to assemble, rust-proof and rot-proof, and comes in multiple sizes, so you should have no problem finding the most suitable one to fit the space in which you will store your firewood.

Properly storing your seasoned firewood will guarantee that you can easily access it when you need it most without also sending an invitation to pests to invade your home. Proper storage will also keep your firewood dry while at the same time maintaining proper air circulation. By following these simple tips, you will be sure to enjoy long-burning, low emission fires throughout the winter season.

by: Trey Collier

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