The weather is changing, and our attention is promptly turning to staying warm in the winter months. One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is, how do you stack logs in a log store?
Stacking logs in a log store is an excellent idea because it keeps logs dry and off the ground. A log store is also much safer, with a lower likelihood of the wood stack collapsing, a particular concern for families with children of all ages. A quality log store also makes it easy to keep your garden or outdoor space neat and tidy, so you can continue to enjoy it with friends and family.
Stacking Firewood Correctly
Stacking firewood doesn’t take long, and it is important to not just throw your logs hap-hazardously into your log store. A chaotic stack does not look nice, is more likely to fall, and lowers the amount of wood you can store.
It is best to stack your firewood in rows because this allows ventilation around the logs so they can dry. If the ventilation is not sufficient, then the middle of the stack is likely to rot instead of dry.
A neat stack makes it safe to retrieve the firewood when you need it. You will reduce the amount of time you spend collecting firewood in the cold, rain, or snow, as you work your way down the stack. The remaining wood will safely stay in place, saving you even more time re-stacking the fallen logs you would have if you opted for the hap-hazard approach to stacking.
It is a good idea to trim any grass and brush away from around the log store and remove any weeds that pop up during the summer months.
The craftspeople at MG Timber make four types of log stores to meet your needs. The Ashmore wooden log store is a tall storage shed that holds a large amount of firewood, ideal when firewood is the sole means of heating the home. The Coppice is a small wooden log store that fits under a kitchen window, ideal for people who have a fire pit or small burner for occasional use. The Acorn is our tall log store, which has the capacity to store two standard logs deep. The Griffiths timber storage is perfect for individuals who prefer to store a larger quantity of logs than the Coppice permits, while still maintaining a more space-efficient option compared to the Acorn.
Seasoning Your Firewood
A secondary consideration for how you stack your logs in your log store centres around seasoning your firewood. All firewood must seasoned (dried) so that it will burn right. The drying process lowers the wood’s moisture content, giving it higher burning efficiency, producing more heat output, and reducing the levels of smoke. Seasoning firewood is all about getting a clean and efficient burn.
To allow your firewood to season, you should stack the logs with the cut side facing up and the bark side facing downtime. This aids the drying process by allowing the wood to release its moisture.
If you have purchased seasoned firewood, or if you end up with a few pieces of extra wood that won’t fit in your log store, then the opposite approach works best. You should stack this wood with the cut side facing down and the bark side facing up. Doing so allows the bark to protect the wood from the elements and rain, causing the wood to soak up additional moisture. This would make the logs unusable or inefficient for burning and heating your home.
If you opt for a log store with doors, you can close these if you are storing seasoned logs. If you are seasoning your own firewood, then leave the doors open through the summer months.
If you find that you often end up with logs that do not fit in your log store, then it is time to upscale your log storage capacity. The Ashmore, The Coppice, The Acorn, and The Griffiths log stores are offered in three lengths, making it easy to get a capacity suitable to your needs.