How to Store Kiln-Dried Firewood for the Best Fires All Year (2024)

We love kiln-dried firewood because it provides instant gratification. There’s no waiting around for it to get dry enough to burn like you have to with seasoned firewood.

Instead, the wood comes straight out of the kiln with an incredibly low amount of moisture and no pests or mold either!

So, you can strike a match and enjoy a blazing fire with very little smoke right away!

But here’s the thing:

You probably don’t want to use all that wood you just bought right now.

And we’re guessing you’re worried that you’ll lose some of that kiln-dried goodness if you store it wrong.

If that’s you, then we’re glad you’re here!

In this blog, we’ll show you how to store kiln-dried firewood for best results no matter where you choose to put it!

Want to learn more about kiln-dried wood? Check out our complete guide to kiln-dried firewood.

Where Do You Store Kiln-Dried Firewood?

Location is everything when it comes to firewood storage. Where you choose to store your firewood will influence the best practices you should use when storing it.

So, where were you thinking of stacking your wood: outside or inside? Let’s take a look at each of those options.

Can I Store Kiln-Dried Logs Inside?

Perhaps you’ve heard horror stories about storing firewood inside the home. Friends may have warned you that storing firewood inside can bring in unwanted pests and mold.

Not so with kiln-dried firewood!

One of the perks of the kiln-drying process is it removes insects and mildew, leaving only pristine firewood ready to burn.

So, there’s no reason to worry about kiln-dried wood bringing anything unwanted inside. In fact, storing kiln-dried firewood inside is an excellent idea because of what it can keep out—namely, pests and mold!

A climate-controlled indoor environment is ideal for protecting wood from exposure to moisture and insects. It is a much safer bet for keeping your wood pristine than storing it outside.

Does kiln-dried wood need to be stored inside? No. But it’s an excellent option to pursue if you have space.

Is It Okay to Store Kiln-Dried Wood Outside?

You can store kiln-dried wood outside. However, as we mentioned above, it’s a much riskier option than indoor storage.

After all, wood stored outdoors must contend with the unpredictability of nature. A severe rainstorm could raise the moisture content of the wood, making it burn less efficiently. And what was once insect-free could become a home for all sorts of pests.

The good news is there are ways to store your wood outdoors to lessen this risk. We will cover those next.

How Should I Store My Firewood Outdoors?

If you choose the outdoor route, here are a few rules to live by:

1. Keep the firewood off the ground. Any contact with grass, soil or mud could raise the moisture content of the wood.
2. Air circulation is your friend. Be sure to stack your wood in a way that allows airflow on all sides.
3. Choose a flat, level surface. The last thing you want is for your neatly stacked pile to go tumbling away!
4. Pick your location with the rain in mind. Do you notice areas on your property that get particularly soaked during rainstorms? Those probably won’t be ideal spots for your firewood.
5. Avoid areas with too much shade. Your wood stack should get plenty of direct sunlight throughout the day to help keep it dry.
6. Keep your wood stack away from your home. Doing so will reduce the risk of fire or unwanted pests jumping from the wood to your house.

How Do I Stack Kiln-Dried Firewood Outdoors?

Properly stacking your firewood is essential, whether indoors or outdoors. However, it’s especially vital outdoors because it can help keep your wood dry.

Here’s how to do it right:

Before you stack, make sure you have some way to keep your wood off the ground. A pallet or board on cinder blocks are excellent homemade options for this.

Next, it’s time to start stacking. Stack the wood in a single row with the ends of the wood facing outward for maximum exposure to the sun and wind.

As you stack, avoid the pieces too tightly together. You will want to have a little space between each log so the breeze can blow through and dry up any moisture that creeps in. Think of this as your wood pile’s air conditioning system.

You will also want to make sure that there’s enough space for air to get to the wood on either side of your pile. So, when stacking next to a wall or fence, leave a few inches of space between your pile and the barrier.

You should also stack using a crisscross pattern on both ends of your woodpile. These crisscrossed stacks will act as supports to keep your pile from falling apart on either side. Of course, you won’t need to do this if you use a firewood rack or log store, since they already come with walls to keep the logs in place.

Finally, make sure the top of your stack is watertight. The logs at the top should form a barrier with no gaps for water to trickle down. So, if rain gets on your pile, those top logs will receive the brunt of the moisture and protect the rest.

What are My Outdoor Storage Options?

There are a few different outdoor storage options to choose from. Let’s take a closer look at each:

Pallet and Tarp

This is the simplest and least expensive storage option. Any standard pallet will do if it keeps the wood off the ground. You can also secure a tarp over the top of the wood to keep it dry. However, make sure you don’t secure it too tightly lest you restrict the airflow.

Firewood Rack

A rack is an excellent option for either indoor or outdoor storage. Racks are typically made of metal with beams across the bottom to keep the wood from touching the ground and beams on either side to keep the stack in place. Racks can also come with wheels on the bottom to make them portable.

Log Store

A log store is an enclosure for your woodpile, which protects from the elements on all sides except the front. This open side is important because it allows air and sunlight to get to the wood to dry it if any moisture gets in.

Storage Shed

The best way to protect your wood when storing it outside your home is by stacking it in a storage shed. The shed will provide the most complete shelter from the elements. Just make sure to keep the wood off the ground in case water starts flooding in the shed.

How Should I Store My Firewood Indoors?

As we mentioned above, indoor storage is the ideal option for storing kiln-dried firewood. This is because it’s much easier to keep the wood dry and pest-free indoors than outside.

Still, to be safe, we recommend following the storage best practices we discussed above. It’s especially important that you stack your wood with plenty of space for airflow.

Because even though you don’t have to deal with the rain inside, you still have an enemy that can ruin the moisture content of your wood: humidity.

Here’s how to store kiln-dried firewood indoors to keep humidity at bay and make the most of your woodpile:

What Rooms are Ideal for Firewood Storage?

The most crucial decision you must make when storing your wood indoors is which room you will keep it in. The room will need to have plenty of space for the amount of firewood you have. But, more importantly, it will need to be a cool, dry space with low humidity. Typically, the rooms that meet these two requirements are the basem*nt or the garage.

If you can’t find the space in your home for a large stack of firewood, you may want to consider a hybrid indoor-outdoor approach. In this scenario, you would keep a large stack of firewood outside and bring some of it inside for a smaller stack. This strategy works especially well for making sure the firewood you use indoors is extra dry because it gives the wood you brought in from outside time to dry before you use it.

One alternate option for easy indoor storage is to purchase wood from our friends at Hot Box Cooking Wood. They sell pristine kiln-dried firewood in resealable boxes that are safe to store indoors and easy to transport anywhere. And best of all they offer free two-day shipping throughout the United States with all orders!

How Can I Use Firewood to Decorate My Home?

Storing your wood in smaller stacks indoors can also add aesthetic value to your indoor spaces. A perfectly placed small stack next to a fireplace or woodstove can give your home a rustic charm. You can also find clever places to stack the wood for visual appeal, such as beneath a staircase or under a bookshelf. So, don’t be afraid to get creative with your indoor stacking for both convenience and beauty!

Ready to Get Stacking?

We hope you feel prepared to get the most out of your kiln-dried firewood storage.

If you need more wood to store, we’d be happy to help you with that. We at Lumberjacks deliver kiln-dried firewood throughout Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. We also have locations in Woodstock and Lake in the Hills, IL, where you can stop by and pick up some of your own!

Please give us a call at 815-337-1451 to place your order. We’d also be happy to answer any more questions you have about how to store kiln-dried firewood.

And if you have a stack of our kiln-dried wood you’re particularly proud of, be sure to share it with us on Facebook or Instagram! We love seeing our customers’ mad stacking skills!