Neat and tidy storage of fuels is an important part of your coal or wood supply process – durable plastic coal bunkers will keep house coal and smokeless stove fuels perfectly dry and free of foreign objects such as blown leaves or general debris – dry, clean coal or stove briquettes will be less prone to spit and steam when added to your fire. Coal dust can also stain decking, patio tiles or brickwork, so it makes sense to keep it from tumbling out of an open store. We recommend situating your coal bunker on a plywood or other flat “tray” that extends some distance in front of it, to avoid staining in front and to make it easier to shovel up the coal.
Wood needs to be kept dry as well, but it also needs good airflow around the stack so that the drying process can continue and rotting is inhibited, so a covered open shelter is ideal. Wood can stay in a stack for several years, particularly at the bottom. The dryer your wood, the more heat energy it will release, and 20% moisture content is considered dry. Wetter woods are more likely to clog up your chimney or flue lining with smoke particles, and they will not burn quite as well (essentially, some of the energy is going into drying them out rather than heating your room).
