Common Firewood Storage Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

🔥 Storing firewood seems simple—until mold, pests, or rot ruin your supply. Are you making these costly mistakes without realizing it?

In this guide, we’ll cover:
✔ The #1 reason firewood gets ruined (hint: it’s not the weather!)
✔ Where you should NEVER stack firewood
✔ How to tell if your logs are too wet to burn
✔ Pro tips for pest-proof storage

Let’s fix your firewood storage before winter hits!

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🌧️ Mistake #1: Storing Firewood Directly on the Ground

Why It’s a Problem:

• Ground moisture seeps into logs → rot & mold
• Termites, ants, and rodents nest underneath

How to Fix It:

✅ Use a firewood rack (steel or treated wood)
✅ Elevate logs on pallets or bricks (at least 4 inches off the ground)
✅ Add gravel underneath for drainage

📌 Pro Tip: A breathable tarp on top (not underneath) prevents rain exposure while allowing airflow.

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🏠 Mistake #2: Stacking Firewood Against Your House

Why It’s Dangerous:

• Invites pests (termites, carpenter ants) into your home
• Traps moisture → promotes wood decay
• Fire hazard (if too close to vents or chimneys)

Safe Storage Distance:

📍 At least 20 feet from your home (5 feet minimum if using a covered rack)
📍 Away from decks, fences, and sheds (pests love these too!)

📌 Best Spot: A sunny, breezy area (helps wood dry faster).

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🌲 Mistake #3: Covering Firewood Too Tightly

What Happens?

• Trapped humidity = mold & mildew
• Condensation makes logs harder to burn

Proper Covering Method:

✅ Cover only the top (let sides breathe)
✅ Use a waterproof but breathable cover (like a specialized firewood tarp)
✅ Avoid plastic sheeting (creates a “sweatbox” effect)

📌 Test for Dryness: Bang two logs together—if they sound hollow, they’re ready to burn!

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🐜 Mistake #4: Ignoring Pest Prevention

Common Firewood Pests:

• Termites (can infest your home)
• Carpenter ants (weaken wood structure)
• Spiders & snakes (hide in stacks)

How to Keep Pests Out:

✅ Store wood away from buildings (see Mistake #2)
✅ Rotate stock (use oldest wood first)
✅ Inspect logs before bringing them indoors
✅ Avoid bark-heavy wood (pests love hiding under it)

📌 Natural Repellent: Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the stack.

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🪓 Mistake #5: Burning Unseasoned (Wet) Firewood

Why It’s Bad:

• Creates excess smoke & creosote (chimney fire risk!)
• Wastes energy (up to 50% less heat than dry wood)

How to Tell if Wood Is Seasoned:

✔ Cracks on the ends
✔ Lightweight (compared to freshly cut)
✔ Grayish color (not fresh yellow or green)

📌 Seasoning Time: 6–12 months for most hardwoods (oak, maple).

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🔥 Bonus Mistake: Storing Firewood Indoors Too Soon

The Risk:

• Spiders, beetles, and larvae hitchhike inside
• Indoor humidity can re-wet dried logs

Safe Indoor Storage Tips:

✅ Only bring in 1–2 days’ worth at a time
✅ Use a metal log carrier (not a wicker basket)
✅ Store near the fireplace but not directly next to it (heat can dry logs too much)

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🎯 Final Tips for Perfect Firewood Storage

✔ Stack loosely (for airflow)
✔ Face cut ends outward (helps drying)
✔ Keep it sunny & breezy (avoid dense shade)
✔ Use a moisture meter (aim for <20% moisture content)

🔗 Need a storage upgrade? Check out our top-rated firewood racks here!

Got a firewood storage hack? Share it below! 🔥🪵