You’ve made a smart investment in high-quality, kiln-dried logs to heat your home. They're perfectly dried, guaranteed to have a low moisture content, and are 'Ready to Burn' for a hot, efficient, and clean fire.

But what happens when your delivery arrives? How you store your firewood is just as important as the quality of the wood itself. Proper storage is the key to protecting your investment and ensuring that every single log burns as perfectly as intended. This guide will show you exactly how to store your kiln-dried firewood to maintain its premium quality.

Why Proper Firewood Storage is Crucial

The entire purpose of the kiln-drying process is to reduce the moisture content of the wood to below 20%. This is the magic number for a clean, efficient burn. If kiln-dried logs are left exposed to the elements, they can reabsorb moisture from rain and damp ground, undoing all that good work.

Properly stored logs will:

• Ignite Easily: Dry wood catches fire quickly and easily.

• Produce Maximum Heat: All the energy is used to create heat, not to burn off excess water.

• Burn Cleanly: Low moisture content means less smoke and significantly fewer deposits of creosote in your chimney, making your fire safer.

The Three Golden Rules of Firewood Storage

To keep your logs in perfect condition, you just need to remember three simple principles: Off the ground, protected from rain, and with plenty of air.

1. Keep It Off the Ground

Never stack your firewood directly on the ground. The earth is a constant source of moisture which will quickly wick up into your logs, making them damp and difficult to burn.

• Solution: Stack your logs on a raised base. This can be a dedicated log store, a pallet, or even just a simple frame made of treated timber bearers. This allows air to circulate underneath the stack and keeps groundwater out.

2. Keep It Protected From Rain

This one is obvious – you need to keep your logs dry. A cover is essential to prevent rain from soaking your fuel supply.

• Solution: The ideal solution is a purpose-built log store. These have a sloped, waterproof roof to keep the rain off, while the slatted or open sides allow for excellent ventilation (see rule 3!). If you don't have a log store, you can stack the wood and cover the top of the stack with a tarpaulin, ensuring the sides remain open.

3. Keep It Well-Ventilated

Airflow is the secret ingredient to perfect log storage. Good ventilation prevents condensation and allows any surface moisture to evaporate quickly, keeping the logs dry and ready to use.

• Solution: Don't stack your wood tightly against a solid wall or fence. Leave a gap of at least a few inches to allow air to move freely around the entire stack. This is why log stores with slatted sides are so effective. Avoid wrapping your logs completely in a non-breathable plastic tarp, as this will trap moisture and can cause the wood to sweat and even mould.

At Dawsons Fuels, we not only deliver premium kiln-dried logs but also offer high-quality, durable log stores to protect them.

Ensure your fuel is perfect for the fire, every time. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I store my firewood in a garage or shed?

Yes, you can, but only if the space is dry and well-ventilated. A damp, musty shed is not a good environment. If storing indoors, ensure there's still some airflow and that the logs are not stacked against a wall where they can't breathe.

How far from my house should I stack firewood?

It's generally recommended to stack firewood a reasonable distance from your house. Stacking it directly against the wall of your home can restrict airflow and, in rare cases, can attract pests who are drawn to the shelter.

How long do kiln-dried logs last in storage?

If stored correctly according to the rules above, kiln-dried logs will remain in perfect, ready-to-burn condition indefinitely. Their low moisture content is stable as long as they are kept dry and ventilated.