Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Have you ever wondered how to stack logs in a log store? Well, below we will try to answer that very question.
In simple terms the best way to stack your logs in a log store is to stack them neatly but not too tightly so air can still circulate.
Why is it important to stack and store logs correctly?
The reason you should stack and store your logs correctly is to ensure that they have a low moisture content. Burning logs with low moisture will mean that your fire will light quicker and you will be able to enjoy a hotter and longer-lasting fire. This will, in turn, lead to you using less fuel, prolonging the need to replenish your log supplies and more importantly saving you money!
In addition to saving money and using less fuel, burning wet wood consistently will cause the wood to smoke excessively. This can, after time also leave your chimney lined with soot and tar which in a worst-case scenario could lead to a chimney fire.
What moisture content should firewood be?
Ideally, firewood should have a moisture content of less than 20% and ideally between 10% and 20%. This is because if the wood is too dry, it will burn too quickly, and if it’s too wet the wood will smoke and could eventually cause damage to the chimney.
How you stack your logs in your log store plays a significant role in ensuring your logs are nice and dry and how much moisture content they have.
How to measure firewood moisture content?
We’ve already stated that the moisture content should ideally be between 10% and 20% but how exactly do you measure the moisture content of firewood. Well, the easiest way is with a moisture meter.
A moisture meter does exactly that, it tells you how much moisture is in a piece of wood. They are really easy to use so long as you follow the instructions.
With all logs, you’ll find that they will always dry from the outside in and so the outside of logs will always be drier than the centre of logs. To effectively check a logs moisture content you will ideally have to split it and check the centre. Failing that, we’d always recommend you take several readings and then take the average of these.
If you haven’t got a moisture meter you can buy them on Amazon.
How to stack logs in a log store?
Now let us get down to how to stack logs in a log store. There is only one way to store your logs and that is neatly. One of the main factors in keeping firewood dry is good air circulation and so the log store you pick should be a well-ventilated log store.
There are four common errors when stacking wood in a log store:
- 1) Throwing them in randomly
- 2) Packing the logs too tightly
- 3) Putting logs on the floor
- 4) Covering the log store with a tarpaulin
1) Throwing them in randomly
We’ve already mentioned that you should stack logs neatly as they need to breathe. Throwing your logs into the log store loosely will impact them in two ways.
Firstly you will lose space meaning that you won’t be able to fully utilise all of the space for your logs potentially forcing you to store some outside. Secondly throwing them in loosely will mean that some inevitable end up tightly compacted beneath others which in turn will prevent air from circulating properly. The best way to ensure sufficient air circulation is to stack your wood neatly within the store.
Stacking the logs too tightly
Stacking logs too tightly within your log store is almost as detrimental as not stacking them at all. Packing them to tightly will reduce the air-flow and therefore prevent your logs from drying sufficiently.
The best way to stack your logs is in rows. However, when stacking ensure that there is an air gap where the logs meet the rear and sides of the log store. Also, try to leave an air gap between rows if you are stacking your logs 2 or 3 deep.
Putting logs on the floor
Many log stores that we feature in our shop already have raised floors to keep your logs suspended above the ground. Keeping your logs away from direct contact with the ground will help you to stop it from absorbing any moisture from the floor. You would be surprised by the amount of moisture that logs can absorb from the dirt, gravel and even concrete especially when it rains.
A raised floor will also allow air to circulate properly and more importantly will assist any moisture that gets into the log store, to drain away.
Covering the log store with a tarpaulin
Many people think that by covering the whole log store in tarpaulin will ensure that their logs stay dry. This, however, will work in the complete opposite way as if you cover the whole store you will in effect trap any moisture inside.
To protect your logs from the rain it is quite common to cover the front of the store in some way to prevent rain from getting in. When doing so with a tarpaulin you must ensure that the sides of the store are not covered. This will encourage airflow around the logs and help them dry whilst reducing their moisture content.
Many log stores we feature come with doors which will protect the logs from the rain whilst promoting good air circulation
Key Points
To finish off here is a list of key points to remember to help you stack logs in a log store correctly.
- Store your logs neatly in your log store
- Do not stack them too tightly
- Leave gaps between the store and the logs
- Leave gaps between rows of logs where possible
- Keep your logs raised off the floor
- Do not cover the whole log store but feel free to cover the front
There is a huge variety of different log stores available so if you haven’t already got one make sure you choose carefully. Remember as with everything in life you generally get what you pay for. If you need help in finding one then you can either check out our log store shop or head over to our 5 Best Log Stores article.