How To Store Firewood Outside

There is nothing more magical than a wood-crackling fireplace, especially during the festive season and cold winter nights.

But did you know that fireplaces can also have a profound effect on your physical and mental health?

Not only can fireplaces provide warmth and comfort during the winter but they can also create a welcoming atmosphere in your home, which can help to liven your spirits during the colder months.

So if you own a fireplace, then chances are you understand how difficult it can be to ignite the first spark.

These days, many fireplace owners rely on a selection of different materials to start their fires, with one of the most popular being wood or kindling.

However, this does not mean that wood-burning fireplaces do not come with their setbacks, as finding a place to store your firewood can be a long and time-consuming process, especially if your only option is to store the wood outside.

Although storing your firewood outside can be an effective way to utilize your space and avoid accidents, it does come with the negative side effect of exposing your firewood to the natural elements of the world, which can result in irreparable damage.

So if you want to store your firewood outside, you need to make sure that it is stacked correctly and properly protected from moisture and other outside conditions.

In the following article, we will teach you how to store your firewood in a safe and effective way, while also demonstrating how you can keep it safe from moisture and decay.

So if you want to know more about how you can store your firewood outside, just take a look down below and you will find everything you need to know.

How Long Should You Store Firewood?

If you own a wood-burning fireplace, then chances are you either purchase wood from a department store or go into the woods to gather it yourself.

If this is the case, then you need to understand that freshly chopped wood cannot be used to ignite fires, as this wood is still young and could have a damaging effect on your home and health.

When firewood has been freshly chopped, it is commonly referred to as green wood, as this indicates the wood’s natural pallor and young age.

So instead of using the firwood that you have recently chopped, you should instead use older firewood that has been given the time to season, as this will be more efficient for building fires.

The reason you should avoid burning green wood is that the unseasoned wood is still filled with natural moisture, which means it will only produce a minimum amount of heat when it is first ignited.

Beyond this, green wood also comes with the negative side of producing toxic gas, which can be extremely harmful when inhaled into the lungs.

Using green wood can also result in severe chimney buildup, with the wood only being able to burn for short periods of time.

So if you want to keep your firewood outside, it is recommended that you store any fresh or recently chopped wood for at least six months, as this will help to cure the kindling and reduce its natural moisture.

Where’s The Best Place To Keep Firewood?

When it comes to collecting firewood, you have to make sure that you are storing it in a safe and secure location, otherwise, the wood could retain its moisture and begin to decay due to prolonged exposure to the elements.

Although some people prefer to stack their firewood by their fireplace, this is not recommended, as firewood stacks can quickly become infested with insects and rodents, which could put your home in jeopardy.

Keeping firewood inside your house can also reduce the ageing process, as there will not be enough airflow to sufficiently dry and season the wood.

So when searching for a location to store your firewood, it should always be situated outside and should be in an area of your property that is dry and exposed to the breeze.

You will also need to make sure that your supply is located at least 20 feet from your front door, as this will help to reduce the possibility of termites and spiders gaining access to your home through your firewood stack.

It is also important to refrain from storing your firewood in the presence of an outdoor structure or tree, as this will not supply the sufficient light and airflow needed to age and dry the rack.

How To Stack Firewood Outside

After you have found the perfect place to store your firewood, you will need to make sure that you are stacking your wood correctly for the best results.

Traditionally, firewood should be stacked in rows no more than four feet high, which you can accomplish through the use of log racks or pallets.

If the firewood is still young, then you will also need to make sure it is stacked bark-side down, as this will help to shield the wood from rain, while also evaporating its natural moisture.

If you are interested in setting up a pallet, then you will need to place the pallet on the ground and use a hammer to secure each stake into the earth.

When doing this, you will need to make sure that the posts are close together, otherwise, you could risk the firewood falling out on the sides.

Using pallets is considered an effective way to store your firewood, as it helps to raise the wood off the ground, which helps to reduce moisture and decay.

However, if you wish to use a firewood rack, then you can fill it by stacking the wood front to back until you have created a 4 feet pile across the structure.

Regardless of whether you are using a pallet or rack, you should never leave your firewood in an unorganized pile, as this will prevent ventilation and cause the wood to rot over time.

How To Store Firewood Outside

If you want to store your firewood outside, then you will also need to make sure that it is protected from rain and snow, something which can be accomplished through the use of a firewood cover.

Not only can firewood covers help to protect your wood from harsh weather conditions, but they can also provide ventilation for your seasoned wood.

You can also store firewood in open barns or sheds to reduce exposure to the rain, although this method should only be implemented when using seasoned wood, as storing green wood in a contained environment will not expose it to the proper airflow.

Storing unseasoned wood in barns and sheds can also result in various infestations and insufficient ageing.

Regardless of how you choose to store your firewood, there are some key rules you will need to follow to yield the best results. For example, you must always store your firewood in an open space that is dry and well ventilated.

You will also need to make sure that you are fully utilizing every piece of wood in your stack, while also caring for the wood to reduce the risk of weeds and infestations.

Proper firewood storage can have a huge impact on your life, especially during the cold and dark months, so you should always make sure that you are storing your firewood correctly for both your warmth and comfort.