How to Store Firewood in the UK: Safety & Compliance Guide

Many of our customers stock up on our seasoned firewood in preparation for cold winters or balmy evenings by the fire pit, and one of the most common questions they ask is, “How can I store my firewood?”

The short answer:

Store your firewood somewhere dry, sheltered and off the ground. Three-sided log stores can be a great option, as you can keep the rain off and leave the sides exposed for air to pass through while keeping moisture levels down. Keep a day or two’s worth of wood indoors so it’s ready to use, and remember not to stack it against your stove.

That’s the quick and easy answer, but many people want to know about “Ready to Burn”, how to store the firewood in winter, whether it can be kept in your garage and how best to store it in your house.

In this blog, we answer those concerns and explain why sustainably sourced firewood from Black Dog Forestry is ideal for your fireplace, fire pit, chiminea and more.

Why does how you store your firewood matter?

Firewood will only burn well when it is dry. If the logs are damp, they prove much more difficult to light and give off less heat once ignited. In addition, you’ll find that the damp logs produce much more smoke and leave considerably more tar and soot in your chimney. You’ll be booking a chimney sweep more often than you’d want to and run up huge bills in the process. Furthermore, if a chimney doesn’t function properly due to tar buildup blocking the  flue, you expose yourself to health risks, such as carbon monoxide poisoning.

This is why the Ready to Burn certification exists. Firewood with the Ready to Burn mark on its packaging has 20% or less moisture content, meaning it burns more efficiently and has lower emissions than wood with a higher moisture content.

In England, it is currently a legal requirement that sellers must ensure that wood sold in volumes under 2 cubic metres must be certified Ready to Burn to confirm it meets that 20% threshold.

Unfortunately, even properly dried wood can reabsorb moisture when stored incorrectly.

Storing firewood at a glance

Do	Don’t
Raise logs off the ground on a pallet or rack	Stand logs directly on soil, grass or paving
Cover the top of the stack only	Wrap the whole pile in plastic or tarpaulin
Leave the sides open for airflow	Pack logs against a damp wall
Use a roofed three-sided store, shed or covered area	Store logs right next to your stove
Rotate logs. Burn the oldest first	Bring large amounts of wood indoors
Keep 1-2 days' worth of wood indoors	Forget the wood pile in spring and summer

How to store firewood outside

The majority of your firewood will be stored outside, with small amounts gradually moving indoors once they are ready to use. For the wood staying outside, the goal is simple: keep rain and ground moisture off it and allow air to move freely through it.

·         Keep it off the ground: If your firewood is sitting on soil or paving, it will soak up any moisture from underneath it. This means that once you plan to use it, it won’t be in optimal condition. Use a pallet or a purpose-built rack to keep the stack off the ground.

·         Cover the top, but not the sides: Many people think that covering their entire stack of firewood is a good way to stop it from getting damp. However, this would trap moisture and make the firewood sweat. This would then leave your wood damper than if it were left completely uncovered. Instead, cover the top to shield the wood from rain and snow, but leave the sides open so air can keep the logs dry. A roofed, three-sided log store does this well.

·         Pick the spot carefully: Position the firewood where it will get sunlight and plenty of air movement. You’ll want to avoid spots under trees or gutters and ensure that none of the wood is left in standing water.

How to store firewood outside in winter

Storing firewood outside in winter is much the same as storing firewood outside at any time of year, with a few small adjustments for the colder weather.

·         Keep the cover secure: Wind and heavy rain could lift a tarp cover, so ensure any top covering is securely held down. Just don’t wrap the sides, as you’ll still need airflow to help keep the wood dry.

·         Be mindful of snow and standing water: Brush snow off the top of the stack, rather than leaving it to sit and melt and check that meltwater and rainwater drain away from the base.

·         Keep a small supply of firewood near the house: Keeping a small supply of firewood in a covered porch box near your door saves you from venturing out in the cold each day.

·         Don’t write off cold, dry days: The crisp, breezy winter weather will dry your wood. An open-sided store keeps the seasoning even in the cold months.

Storing firewood in a garage or shed

Your garage or shed could also be a good option for storing your firewood. There are two main things to be aware of, though.

Ventilation

An enclosed space with no airflow traps moisture around the wood, slowing the drying process. Keep the logs off the floor, leaving gaps around the stack and opening up the space so air can circulate. A shed with vents or an open doorway will work better than a sealed garage.

Be wary of pests and fumes

Log piles can be a home for insects and rodents. Keeping it off the floor and away from walls will help stop this, but always check the wood before bringing it indoors. If you are keeping your firewood in a garage where you park your car, remain aware that your wood may pick up a faint exhaust smell that comes through as you burn the wood.

Storing firewood indoors: Is it safe?

It is, but you should only keep a small amount of your firewood indoors.

·         Only bring in what you will burn soon: A day or two’s supply is plenty. Bringing in any more increases the fire risk and also gives any insects in the wood a new home that they could soon infest. Carry wood from your main supply to your home in a wicker basket or log holder as needed. This will allow the wood to acclimatise to room temperature before you put it on the fire.

·         Keep your distance from the heat: Logs are combustible, so don’t stack them against or on top of a stove or hearth. There have been occasions where wood stored too close to an appliance has caught alight. Manufacturer guidelines may vary, so consult yours to see what the minimum distance to combustibles is.

Indoor vs outdoor firewood storage at a glance

	Outdoor	Indoor
Best for	Your main supply	A day or two’s worth
Main risk	Reabsorbing rain and ground moisture	Fire risk and pests
Must-haves	Roof/cover, raised base, open sides	Distance from heat, small quantity
How much	Your whole season’s wood	Just enough for immediate use

How to stack firewood safely

Stacking firewood properly is essential. It not only provides safer and easier access but also aids the drying process.

1.     Build on a raised base: Pallets are perhaps the cheapest option and among the most common. Use them to keep your stack off the ground.

2.     Stack with airflow in mind: Lay the logs in rows or a loose crisscross pattern with small gaps between them so air can pass through. A neatly built stack like this is also less likely to collapse.

3.     Bark side up on the top layer: The top layer of wood is the most exposed. By turning the logs bark-side up, you help add an extra layer of protection against the rain.

4.     Rotate the stock: Burn the oldest logs first. Newer logs should be at the back or bottom of the stock, with the older logs at the front or on top.

Seasoned vs kiln-dried firewood

Both seasoned and kiln-dried firewood can meet the 20% moisture mark. However, both get there in different ways. Seasoned firewood is air-dried over time; kiln-dried wood is dried faster in a controlled kiln to a consistently low moisture content. Regardless of wood type, storage remains the same. Keep it dry, off the ground and aired to ensure moisture remains at 20% or less.

We explore burn quality and why drier logs are best in our blog about seasoned logs burning for longer.

How Black Dog Forestry can help

At Black Dog Forestry, we supply locally sourced hardwoods such as oak, ash and beech, that burn brighter for longer. Specially cut to meet your needs, and available with free delivery across West Sussex and Brighton, you can benefit from premium firewood today! Simply give us a call or order online.

How to store firewood FAQs

How long can you store firewood?

Properly dried wood, as long as it is stored correctly, can keep for a long time. Rotating your stock by burning the oldest first will help you get the best from your firewood.

Can you store firewood in a plastic container?

Only with care. A sealed plastic box or bag traps moisture and will make the wood sweat. This leaves it prone to damp and mould. If you do use a container, keep it well-ventilated and never with damp wood inside.

Is it safe to store firewood in the house?

Yes, but in small amounts and away from heat. You should only keep a day or two’s worth indoors and away from stoves or other heat sources. Storing large amounts indoors increases the fire risk and may bring pests into the home.

Does moss on firewood mean it’s wet?

Not necessarily. Moss often stays on the wood after it's been seasoned. A soft moss can mean fresher wood, and dried, crumbly moss isn’t a cause for concern.

How far from the house should I store firewood?

For an outdoor pile, keep it a little away from the walls rather than tight against them. This helps airflow, keeps damp off the brickwork and discourages insects and rodents from using the woodpile as a bridge to the house.