How to Stack and Season Firewood

The Patriot Caller DIY Projects, TPC BUZZ 2

Berghütte und OfenholzSummer’s over and the cold fronts are already starting to move across the country. Finally, it’s fireplace season (or fire pit season) once again. But of course, you’ll need something to burn…

Stacking and seasoning firewood is by no means rocket science, but it’s not as simple as piling up a bunch of logs either. There are many subtle tricks of the trade that, when taken into consideration, can save you headaches down the road.

Even if you do have a stockpile of firewood stacked neatly in the yard,  you may want to take a moment to check your work.

3 Keys to Seasoning

  1. Don’t stack your firewood directly on the ground. Over time, your wood will rot and become basically worthless when it comes to burning
  2. Keep your woodpile at least 30 feet from your house. All sorts of critters take up residence in woodpiles, none of which you want in your home: Termites, scorpions, vermin, brown recluses, etc.
  3. Cover the top of your woodpile to protect it from rain and snow, but leave the bottom uncovered, allowing moisture to escape.

3 Keys to Stacking

  1. The cut ends should face your property’s prevailing winds, which of course depends on where you live. This will cut weeks off of your wood’s seasoning time.
  2. Don’t stack your logs as tight as possible. Leaving a little room for air between logs allows them to dry much faster, so your logs will always be ready to burn.
  3. Place pieces with bark on top. Bark is wood’s natural shield against rain and the elements. Save the logs with the most bark for the top of the pile.

I’m sure that you’ve got plenty of great wood stacking tips of your own, let’s hear up in the comments section!

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2 Comments

  1. I stack my firewood three logs per layer and stack each layer perpendicular to the one underneath. Usually can stack about 5 ft high if the logs are very even in size and shape. Really weird logs get split up for kindling. We also keep a stick pile for kindling. Using this cross hatching method keeps the logs dryer and from rotting.

  2. I stack my fireplace wood like a T Pee. start with a larger log on the ground than start staking split fire wood on end
    and make the pile round and tall as you add more wood. the water drains off and the wood will stay dry and will last
    for years.

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