Dry logs only stay dry if they're stored well. A wet British winter can undo good firewood in a few weeks, so here's how to keep your logs ready to burn from the first frost to the spring.
The three rules: off the ground, covered on top, open at the sides
Wood takes on water from below, from above and from still, damp air. Stack it on pallets or a slatted base so it's off the ground. Cover the top so rain runs off. Leave the sides open, or slatted, so the wind moves through the stack. A tarpaulin wrapped all the way round traps moisture and does more harm than good.
How much space does a load need?
Allow roughly one square metre of floor at one metre high for each cubic metre of logs once they're stacked. Tipped loose, a load takes more room until it's stacked, so plan where it's going before it arrives. A bulk bag holds half a cubic metre and can stand on a drive or in a garage until you need it.
Where to put the log store
- Somewhere with air moving round it: a sheltered wall is fine, a damp corner is not.
- Close enough to the back door that you'll actually use it on a wet night.
- Not right against the house, so damp and insects stay away from the walls.
If you need a store, we build bespoke log stores made to measure for the space you have.
Keep a few days' worth indoors
Bring in enough for the next two or three evenings and keep it in a basket near the stove. Indoor warmth takes the chill and any surface damp off the logs, so they catch faster. A barrow bag by the back door is a handy halfway house.
Kiln dried logs stay ready
Our kiln dried logs arrive below 20% moisture and certified Ready to Burn. Stored with the rules above, they'll be in the same condition in February as the day they arrived. Seasoned logs carry a little more moisture and keep improving in a well-aired store.
Order before the cold snap
The first frost is when everyone rings at once. Ordering a little early means you can stack and store at your own pace. We deliver across Staffordshire and Derbyshire on our own trailer from Uttoxeter: check your delivery area or use the calculator to see how much you need.
