Firewood is a very helpful way to heat your home during the winter. However, when it comes time to stack firewood, many people are not sure how they should go about doing so. This blog post will give you some tips on stacking firewood in an efficient manner that ensures the wood is dry and easy to light.
How To Stack Firewood For Seasoning (Long-Term Storage)
There are several ways to stack wood, depending on the variety of firewood and how long you want it to season. You can opt for a one-sided or two-sided arrangement; either way is effective in seasoning your firewood. If you choose a single layer:
- Stack kindling horizontally across the bottom of the pile with larger pieces perpendicular on top (the key here is having airflow between each piece).
- Build up layers until reaching desired height then cover the whole thing with heavy plastic sheeting and/or tarps. If this method is chosen, be sure to check underneath regularly as moisture may develop if left too long—and we don’t want that!
Keeping Firewood Off The Ground
- The best way to stack firewood is off the ground. Keeping it elevated makes sure that moisture can’t get inside and ruin your wood supply. If you don’t have a place in your backyard where you can store all your firewood, make room in the garage or basement for some stacked pieces of lumber.
- You want to keep each piece at least two feet away from its neighbor when stacking up cords of wood but also leave enough space between them so air can flow freely through the pile (this keeps rot down). Make sure there are no gaps between any pieces, though; this will provide an opening for pests like termites to invade.
- Try stacking the wood in a cone shape. This is an easy way to make sure everything stacks neatly and tightly, but it also helps keep rainwater from pooling on top of your firewood pile. Just be careful not to let the pointy end stick out too far past the edge of where you’re storing them or someone might bump into it!
Keeping The Stack Of Firewood Covered
With A Tarp If you are aiming to keep the wood dry for as long as possible, it is important that you cover the stack of firewood with a tarp. You can use any type of sturdy plastic or even canvas depending on your preference and how much money you want to spend.
If there will be an excessive amount of rain in the area where you live, then covering the stack might not be necessary because water could seep into some parts no matter what protection measures are taken.
Stacking The Firewood
When you first pick up a log, there is no right or wrong way to hold it. Just take note if the bark is intact and not falling off as that can be detrimental for your firewood stack. The easiest and most efficient method of getting logs into place on top of one another is by using a hand saw with an extended handle which allows the blade to touch the bottom of each cut so they all line up perfectly.
If you do not have access to such a tool then it’s possible to use two pieces as wedges against opposite sides in order to get them lined up correctly but this will require more work from your end. When you have a nice stack in place, it’s best to check your work. The logs should be parallel and spaced evenly apart so they don’t fall over when the pile is disturbed or during high winds.
- When stacking firewood, there are a few things to consider.
- First, make sure the wood is properly seasoned and dry before putting it inside your storage shelter.
- Second, you want to choose an area that has easy access for moving logs around as well as room enough for both you and others who may be helping with the process.
- Thirdly, lay down some ground cover such as sawdust or other material that will help insulate the bottom of the stack from outside elements like cold air or moisture (which can cause molding).
- Fourth, give yourself plenty of time; this isn’t something we recommend trying in a week unless you’re willing to work 12 hours a day! Lastly, stay safe during all stages by wearing gloves and safety glasses.
When you’re ready to start, stack the wood in rows on top of your ground cover with each piece touching one another (you don’t want air pockets) and end-to-end; this will allow heat from inside the shelter to circulate between pieces for optimal dryness. Make sure that all logs are facing the same direction so they can be easily identified when needed later during a fire or any other time!
If stacking by yourself doesn’t sound like fun, there’s no shame in getting help! If you have a family member who is willing to lend a hand, great! But if not, maybe ask friends or hire someone from Craigslist—there are always people looking for extra cash or work experience.
Is It OK To Stack Firewood On The Ground?
- No, it’s not because this can actually damage your wood. The extra pressure from other pieces of firewood squished into the gaps between logs might cause them to split or break apart.
- Even stacking firewood on top of a layer of dirt can cause the wood to warp. This is because when it gets wet from being under logs or from rain, then dries out, this change in moisture causes wood expansion and contraction which leads to warping.
- There are other disadvantages too: you’ll have difficulty accessing your stored firewood if it’s stacked directly onto the ground. You might need a shovel or something heavy like a sledgehammer to break apart clustered pieces that have frozen together while also exposing them even more readily to outside elements such as rain and snowmelt too!
In addition, standing water will take up space within your stacks leading them to become moldy faster than they should be. When wooden logs are stored on the ground they end up absorbing moisture from the soil, which will increase their weight and rot faster.
- If you still insist on stacking your firewood on the ground then make sure to elevate them off of it using sheets of plywood or cinder blocks!
Do You Stack Firewood Bark Up Or Down?
Firewood must be stacked with the bark side facing down. If you stack your firewood upside-down, it will dry out faster and not last as long—which defeats its purpose entirely! You should also know that an “eye” or burl on a log is where most of the resin flows through, so avoid stacking wood around this area if possible.
The old saying was to put smaller pieces in front because they were cheaper but now we all want quality heat over quantity so size doesn’t matter anymore just how well seasoned it is.
How High Should You Stack Firewood?
You should stack firewood at least four feet high. However, you can go higher if you’d like to have a neat pile of wood that looks aesthetically pleasing in your yard. On the other hand, stacking it too high may cause problems when trying to light a fire with all the pieces falling over on each other and making it difficult for air circulation from underneath. It is best to err on the side of caution when deciding how tall or short your stacked-up piece of wood is going to be!
How Do You Stack Firewood To Dry Faster?
There are some key things that you can do to help your firewood dry faster. First, if possible store the wood off of the ground so the air has more access to it. Next, stack the firewood with a lot of space between each piece so there is plenty of airflow around all sides of every piece. Finally, try not stacking too many pieces in one pile, or they will retain moisture and rot from within rather than drying out quickly as we want them to!
If you want to know more about how to stack firewood, or if you would like information on our high-quality kiln-dried split wood in the San Francisco Bay Area, feel free to contact us!
Eugene thought it was important for people to learn how they could perfectly dry their own firewood. People were not getting good results when drying their own logs at home and he wanted them all to be able to help improve that process so everyone’s fires are much better this winter. Eugene read everything he could find online but still felt there was a lot of confusion out there among different ways people had tried stacking wood with limited success. He decided it might make sense to write an article sharing his knowledge with others who may need it.
What Can I Put Under A Firewood Stack?
A firewood stack should only be placed on a solid surface. This will help prevent the wood from rotting, splitting, or warping. You can put other items under your stack of firewood to protect whatever is underneath it. For example, you could place another piece of plywood over the grass to keep it safe from moisture damage while still providing protection for your firewood stack.
Some people also use bricks when stacking their firewood in order to avoid contact with dirt and mud that may get knocked off boots or shoes during storage time. It’s important to make sure the bricks are no longer than the length of your firewood stack as this will prevent them from shifting and causing damage.
Wood chips or bark mulch is an excellent choice if you want a protective barrier that also adds beauty to your yard. Wood chip paths can provide a lovely way for people and pets to walk around outside without getting mud on their shoes while adding visual interest and color to any outdoor living space.