Storage & Organization

There are few things better than a warm fire on a chilly evening. But your cozy night in or campfire get-together can quickly go up in flames if you haven’t stored your firewood correctly. Using proper storage techniques is vital for creating the perfect fire while also keeping insects away from the party. Here are nine common firewood storage mistakes you should avoid to prevent smoky fires and pest infestations. 1. Leaving Wood Uncovered One of the main priorities of firewood storage is making sure the wood stays dry. Since wood is typically stored outdoors, you should avoid leaving it uncovered. For effective dry storage, your wood stack needs to be in a covered area or underneath a tarp to protect it from rain and snow. Damp wood is harder to ignite, has a shorter burn time with less heat, and produces more smoke, which can dampen your cozy night by the fire. Insects also love to hang out in damp wood, which can leave you with unwanted guests if you bring your wood into the house for an indoor fire. You should only store firewood inside if it has been kiln-dried. Other wood types can contain insects or mold and require further drying outdoors. 2. Storing Near the House It can be tempting to place a wood stack near your house for easy access, but insects and termites are attracted to wood. If your woodpile is close to your house, these pests can easily travel indoors, damage siding, and be a nuisance. Wood storage near your house can also be a fire hazard, as an accidental ignition could quickly burn through your woodpile and extend to your house. Although not as convenient, firewood storage should be several feet away from your home. 3. Storing Near Trees and Other Structures Since storing your woodpile near your house is out of the picture, the next spot you set your eye on might be near a tree, shed, or another structure in your yard. However, this can still lead to issues with air circulation. Your wood stack should stay dry, which means it needs to receive proper ventilation. For this to happen, firewood needs to be out in the open rather than next to something that blocks airflow. A storage spot with airflow will also keep your woodpile out of shady areas during the day, which will give it more time in the sun to keep dry. 4. Storing Directly on the Ground When wood sits directly on the ground, it’s more likely to absorb excess moisture, which will lead to mold, mildew, and decayed wood. Your woodpile is also likely to pick up pests from the soil. Either stack your wood on a concrete surface or set up wooden beams or pallets to elevate the pile off the ground. This will promote proper airflow underneath the wood and help prevent an infestation. 5. Stacking Too Tightly How you stack firewood is just as important as where you store it. A poor stacking technique can restrict airflow, which can cause it to get damp and moldy. While you might want to stack logs close together to maximize space, firewood should be stacked loosely so there are small gaps between each piece. This extra space keeps the pieces dry, which will give you longer burn times and minimize smoke. 6. Stacking Too High Your wood stack should stay within a height of four feet. Anything higher can compromise the stability of the pile, which can be a safety issue. This also ensures that the highest pieces are easy to access. If you have to stretch up to reach logs, you’re more likely to knock things out of place or lose grip on the pieces you’re grabbing. If you don’t have a manufactured wood stacker, consider placing posts on each end of your woodpile to keep it from toppling to one side. 7. Not Stacking at All Although it might make for a quick setup, leaving logs in a disorderly pile is bad for airflow, Even if your wood stack is elevated, it can become damp and grow mold without proper stacking that promotes proper air circulation. One popular method is to lay your wood in straight, horizontal rows, with each layer stacked in the opposite direction of the one below to create a crisscross pattern (think of a Jenga tower). This method is also great for extra stability. 8. Using New Wood First If you always reach for fresh wood pieces instead of fully cycling through your pile, you may be setting yourself up for a meet and greet with a colony of bugs. Infestations tend to happen in wood that’s been sitting for too long, so always use the oldest wood first. While stacking your pile, place the newest wood pieces on the bottom so the older pieces are easier to grab. If you’d like a helpful visual to separate your old and new wood, use a scrap piece of lumber to mark the difference. 9. Applying Pesticides Since bugs are one of the leading concerns of improper firewood storage, you might be tempted to apply pesticides to your wood. However, this can be dangerous and counterproductive. Burning firewood that has been treated with pesticides can release toxic fumes into the air that could be harmful to your health. Plus, you’ll miss out on that wonderfully smoky campfire smell that burning wood