Good Storage = Better Burns
Even the best kiln-dried logs can be let down by poor storage. Once moisture gets back into your firewood, you’re undoing all the work the kiln did. The good news is that storing firewood correctly isn’t complicated — you just need to follow a few straightforward principles.
The Golden Rules of Firewood Storage
1. Keep it off the ground
Ground contact allows moisture to wick up into the base of your log pile, and creates a haven for insects and rot. Use a log store with a raised base, stack logs on a pallet, or use a purpose-built log rack. Even a few centimetres of clearance makes a meaningful difference.
2. Allow airflow
Logs need to breathe. A solid wall of stacked wood with no air movement stays damp. Ideally, store logs in an open-sided log store or against a wall with the front exposed. Avoid wrapping your pile tightly in tarpaulin on all sides — you’ll trap moisture rather than letting it escape.
3. Cover the top, not the sides
Rain is the enemy; stagnant air is equally problematic. Cover the top of your log pile to keep direct rain off, but leave the sides open to allow airflow. A simple lean-to shelter, a log store with a roof, or even a weighted tarpaulin draped over the top works well.
4. Stack bark-side up
When stacking, place logs with the bark facing upward. The bark acts as a natural barrier to rain, helping to channel water away from the cut ends where moisture is most easily absorbed.
5. Store indoors for a few days before use
If your main log store is outside or in an outbuilding, bring a small supply indoors 2–3 days before you plan to use them. Logs stored at room temperature will light more easily and burn more efficiently.
How Much Space Do You Need?
A standard Stack & Burn Large Crate contains approximately 1.63m³ of stacked logs. Measure your log store before ordering to ensure you have enough space — or to work out how many crates you can realistically accommodate. Our Power Crate contains 2.2m³ and is designed for customers with larger storage capacity and higher seasonal demand.
How Long Will Kiln-Dried Logs Keep?
Stored correctly — off the ground, covered, with airflow — kiln-dried logs will remain in excellent condition for 2–3 years. The key is maintaining that low moisture content. If logs are exposed to prolonged rain or damp conditions, moisture content will rise and burn quality will suffer.
Ready to stock up before autumn? Shop our Large Crate range — our most popular choice for households heading into the heating season.