Southridge Blog

Kiln-dried firewood is a preferred choice for many homeowners, particularly during the colder months. Not only does it provide a cleaner, more efficient burn, but it also offers a pleasant crackle and aroma that enhances the cozy atmosphere of a home. However, to fully take advantage of its benefits, proper storage is crucial. Storing kiln-dried firewood correctly not only ensures it stays dry and ready for use but also preserves its quality, ensuring a longer burn time and less smoke. In this blog post, we will explore six ways to properly store kiln-dried firewood for optimal use, emphasizing the importance of preserving its dryness and usability.

Whether you’re an experienced wood burner or a first-time buyer of kiln-dried firewood, understanding how to store it properly can significantly impact your experience. Firewood that is stored improperly can quickly lose its benefits, leading to wasted money, frustration, and inefficient burning. On the other hand, following the correct storage techniques will keep your firewood in top condition, providing you with reliable warmth and an enjoyable fire experience.

Why Proper Storage of Kiln-Dried Firewood Matters

Before diving into the best practices for firewood storage, it’s important to understand why proper storage is so essential, particularly for kiln-dried wood. Kiln-dried firewood has been heated to a specific temperature in a kiln to reduce its moisture content, making it ideal for burning. Firewood with too much moisture can produce excessive smoke, create creosote buildup in your chimney, and burn inefficiently, leading to wasted fuel. Kiln-dried firewood, however, is dried to the perfect level, ensuring a clean, efficient burn with minimal smoke and a hotter flame.

But this ideal moisture level is fragile. Kiln-dried wood is often more susceptible to absorbing moisture than seasoned firewood, so it must be stored in a way that keeps it dry and well-ventilated. Even though kiln-dried wood has gone through a drying process, if it’s exposed to the elements, it can quickly lose its advantages, leading to wasted energy and poor burn quality.

1. Store Kiln-Dried Firewood in a Dry, Covered Area

The first and most important step in storing kiln-dried firewood is to ensure it remains dry. Ideally, firewood should be kept in a dry location that is sheltered from rain, snow, and humidity. A covered area is a must to preserve the wood’s drying properties and prevent it from soaking up moisture from the environment.

Choosing the Right Shelter for Kiln-Dried Firewood

If you have a garage, shed, or another enclosed space, this is the perfect place to store your kiln-dried firewood. These areas are typically dry and shielded from the weather, helping to keep your firewood in top condition. However, not all indoor spaces are ideal, especially if they are humid or damp. Be mindful of potential moisture buildup in basements, crawl spaces, or rooms with high humidity, as this can cause your firewood to absorb moisture, reversing the drying process.

If you’re storing the firewood outdoors, consider purchasing a firewood rack with a tarp or a firewood cover. These options can protect your wood from rain while still allowing air to circulate around the pile, which is important for keeping it dry. A simple, sloped roof covering is also effective at protecting your wood from the elements while allowing the wood to breathe.

The Importance of Ventilation

Even when stored in a sheltered area, adequate ventilation is crucial. Firewood needs air circulation to maintain its low moisture content, so avoid storing it in completely sealed or airtight containers. A ventilated area allows airflow, which helps keep the firewood dry. This is especially important if you’re stacking firewood indoors or in an area with limited airflow. If you’re storing wood in a shed, make sure there are gaps or windows that let air circulate, or consider installing ventilation fans to improve airflow.

2. Stack Your Firewood Correctly for Maximum Airflow

Proper stacking is another key component in ensuring the longevity and usability of your kiln-dried firewood. The way you stack firewood affects both its exposure to air and its ability to dry out (if needed). Stacking firewood properly helps maintain airflow between logs, which in turn ensures that moisture can escape, keeping the wood dry and ready for use.

Creating a Stable and Accessible Stack

When stacking your firewood, start by placing the logs on a solid, flat surface to prevent moisture from seeping in from the ground. This could be a wood pallet, a concrete slab, or even a firewood rack. The goal is to keep the firewood off the ground, which prevents it from absorbing moisture from damp soil. Additionally, stacking your firewood off the ground discourages pests and rodents from making their home in your woodpile.

Stacking the firewood loosely is essential to maximize airflow. Logs should be placed in a crisscross pattern, alternating the direction of each row, allowing air to flow freely through the pile. This configuration not only allows the wood to dry but also helps prevent mold and mildew from forming. It’s also important to leave a bit of space between the ends of the logs, as tight stacking can trap moisture and create pockets of stagnant air.

Keep the Stack Away from Walls

While stacking firewood against a wall may seem convenient, it’s better to keep the stack a few inches away from any walls to prevent moisture buildup. Walls can trap moisture and heat, making it harder for the wood to dry out. Leaving space between the stack and the wall ensures that air can circulate on all sides of the pile, maintaining the dryness and quality of your firewood.

3. Elevate Your Firewood Off the Ground

As mentioned earlier, keeping your firewood off the ground is essential for protecting it from moisture. Storing firewood directly on the ground exposes it to moisture from rain, dew, and groundwater, which can cause it to become damp and unusable. Additionally, firewood that touches the ground is more likely to attract insects and other pests, such as termites, ants, and rodents.

Using Firewood Racks and Platforms

The simplest way to elevate firewood is to use a firewood rack. Firewood racks are designed to keep wood off the ground, allowing air to circulate around each log. These racks come in various sizes and materials, including metal, wood, and plastic. Some racks are designed to be portable, allowing you to move your woodpile easily, while others are stationary and meant for long-term storage.

Alternatively, you can build or buy a platform to elevate your firewood. A simple wooden platform with slats will allow air to flow through the pile and prevent the logs from coming into direct contact with the ground. Platforms should be made from durable materials, such as treated lumber, to ensure they last through weather conditions without deteriorating.

4. Store Kiln-Dried Firewood in a Cool, Dry Environment

Temperature plays a significant role in how well your firewood burns. While kiln-dried firewood can withstand a variety of temperatures, storing it in an excessively warm or humid environment can cause it to absorb moisture and lose its dryness. The ideal temperature for storing firewood is between 20°F and 60°F, as this range prevents moisture buildup while ensuring the wood remains in optimal condition.

Avoid Direct Sunlight

Direct sunlight may seem like a good way to dry your wood, but it can actually have the opposite effect. While it can help dry the surface of the wood quickly, it can also lead to uneven drying. Sun exposure can cause some parts of the firewood to dry out too much, while others remain damp, leading to inconsistent burn qualities. In addition, prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause the wood to crack and splinter, which can negatively affect its burn performance.

Instead, store your kiln-dried firewood in a shaded area, where it will be protected from the harsh rays of the sun. This will ensure that the wood remains evenly dry and maintains its burn efficiency.

5. Protect Your Kiln-Dried Firewood from Pests

Pests are a common problem when it comes to firewood storage. Insects such as termites, ants, and beetles are often attracted to woodpiles, especially if the wood is damp. Once pests infest a firewood stack, they can spread to other areas of your home, causing damage and inconvenience.

Use Pest-Repellent Storage Solutions

To prevent pests from making a home in your firewood, consider using pest-repellent storage options. Many firewood racks come with built-in covers to protect the wood from rain and insects. Alternatively, you can use firewood covers or tarps to shield your woodpile from pests and moisture.

When purchasing firewood, ensure that it is properly seasoned and kiln-dried, as this reduces the chances of pest infestation. If you do find signs of pests in your woodpile, it’s best to dispose of the affected logs rather than risk spreading the infestation.

6. Rotate Your Firewood for Optimal Freshness

Kiln-dried firewood has a shelf life, and if stored improperly, it can lose its burn quality over time. To ensure that your firewood remains fresh and ready to use, rotate your woodpile regularly. Use older wood first and add new logs to the back of the pile. This ensures that your firewood remains dry and ready to burn when you need it.

Maintaining an Inventory of Firewood

Keeping track of the age of your firewood can help you prioritize the logs you need to burn first. Create a system to mark when you acquired the wood or when it was dried, so you can rotate the pile accordingly. This simple practice can ensure that you’re always burning the best quality firewood while avoiding the problem of wood that has become too damp or aged.

Conclusion

Properly storing kiln-dried firewood is essential for maintaining its dryness, efficiency, and burn quality. By following these six steps—storing it in a dry, covered area, stacking it correctly, elevating it off the ground, keeping it in a cool environment, protecting it from pests, and rotating it regularly—you can ensure that your firewood remains in top condition and provides you with efficient, reliable heat throughout the winter. Whether you’re stocking up for the season or just keeping a small supply on hand, these storage practices will help you get the most out of your kiln-dried firewood.