The best way to store firewood is off the ground, with the top covered and the sides open to the air. A steel rack does all three at once. Stacked this way, seasoned or kiln-dried wood stays dry, burns well and doesn’t turn into a bug hotel. Get any one of those wrong and you’ll be dealing with damp, sooty wood by January.
Why does firewood storage matter?
Dry wood burns hotter and cleaner. Wood that picks up moisture from rain, snow or wet ground burns poorly, smokes more and leaves more creosote in your chimney. If you’ve paid for kiln-dried firewood, you’re paying for dryness. Storing it badly gives that away.
The good news is that it doesn’t take much. You need three things: a base off the ground, a cover on top, and air moving through the stack.
The three rules of a good woodpile
Rule 1: Get it off the ground
Soil holds moisture, and wood on it will soak it up from below. It’s also where insects and rot get started. Even a couple of inches of air under the stack helps. A rack, pallets or rails will do it. A rack is the cleanest solution because it’s built for the job and keeps the pile from leaning or tipping.
Rule 2: Cover the top, not the sides
Rain and snow should land on a cover, not your wood. But don’t wrap the whole stack in a tarp. A fully sealed pile traps moisture, and the wood can’t breathe. Cover the top and leave the sides open so air can pass through. A purpose-made seasoning cover is the easy option. The 5 ft Crescent Firewood Rack comes with one in the box, and the 4 x 2 vertical rack lists a cover as included too.
Rule 3: Let air move through it
Stack loosely enough that air can get between the splits, and don’t push the stack tight against a wall or fence. Good airflow keeps wood dry and stops mold.
Where should you put the woodpile?
Pick a spot that’s sunny, breezy and well drained, not a low corner where water collects. Sun and wind help wood stay dry.
You’ll often hear advice to keep outdoor stacks a few feet from the house. The reason is pests. Termites, carpenter ants and mice like wood, and you don’t want a bridge into your walls. Check local guidance if you’re unsure. A good rule is to bring in only what you’ll burn in a day or two, and keep the rest outside.
Indoors, the story changes. A small rack by the hearth is handy for the next few fires, but a big indoor stack can bring in bugs and debris. Keep it modest.
Which firewood rack size do you need?
Pick a rack by how much wood you’ll keep on hand, then check it against the space you have. Here’s how the Woodhaven racks we carry compare, using the capacities from each product page. All are made of steel by Woodhaven.
| Rack | Capacity listed | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 2 ft rack | Compact | Balconies, mudrooms, small hearths |
| 3 ft crescent rack | Indoor/outdoor use | Beside the fireplace or in the yard |
| 4 ft rack | ¼ cord of 24″ splits | Households that burn through winter |
| 5 ft crescent rack with cover | ⅙ cord | A quarter or half cord delivery |
| 8 ft rack | ½ cord of 24″ splits | Serious home burners |
| 12 ft rack | ¾ cord of 24″ splits | Heavy winter use |
One catch: the cord capacities are based on 24-inch splits. Our kiln-dried firewood is about 16 inches, so the stack will be shorter in depth than a 24-inch one. Read the product page and measure before you buy.
You can see the whole lineup under Firewood Racks.
How do you stack firewood so it stays put?
- Start with a level base. A wobbly foundation means a falling stack.
- Lay the first row bark side down if you have bark-on wood, so it sheds water.
- Keep splits roughly the same length so the rows stay even.
- Stack the bark side up on the top layer if you’re covering with a tarp, so water runs off.
- Leave a little room at the ends and between rows for air.
- Stack to a comfortable height. Very tall piles tip and are tough to pull from.
With a rack, most of this is done for you. The frame keeps the rows straight and the wood off the ground.
How do you keep bugs out?
Dry wood is less attractive to bugs than damp wood, so keeping the pile dry does half the job. Keep it off the ground, away from the house, and bring in only a small amount at a time. Don’t store wood in the house for weeks. If you spot insects in a split, burn it soon or set it aside outside.
Kiln-dried wood has an advantage here. Ours is described as pest and mold free on our pizza and cooking wood product pages, and heat-treated wood doesn’t start with the problems that green wood can bring.
What about getting wood from the stack to the stove?
This is where most people get annoyed with their setup. A rack by the door or a carrier makes a big difference. The Woodhaven Log Carrier is made from waterproof automotive-grade Vyram, so you can bring in a load without dripping or dragging bark through the house. Keep a bundle of kindling near the stove so you’re not hunting for it on a cold night.
How much wood should you store?
That depends on how much you burn. If you’re new to it, our post on face cord vs. full cord shows how the measures compare. If your wood isn’t dry yet, our guide to seasoning firewood faster helps. Browse our heating firewood to match your wood to your rack.
Frequently asked questions
How should firewood be stored outside?
Off the ground, with the top covered and the sides open to airflow. A rack with a seasoning cover is the simplest way to do it.
Should I cover firewood with a tarp?
Cover only the top. If you wrap the sides too, moisture gets trapped and the wood can’t dry or stay dry.
How far from the house should firewood be stored?
Many people keep it a few feet away to avoid inviting pests close to the walls. Check local recommendations for your area.
Can you store firewood in the garage?
You can, if the wood is dry and the space is ventilated. Keep it off the floor, and don’t stack it against walls where moisture can collect.
Does kiln-dried firewood need to be stored a special way?
No, but it should stay dry. Keep it off the ground and under cover so it doesn’t take moisture back on.
How big a rack do I need for a face cord?
A face cord is 8 feet long, so you need an 8 ft rack or two shorter ones. Check depth too, because rack capacities are listed for 24-inch splits.
Do firewood racks rust?
Powder-coated steel racks like Woodhaven’s are built for outdoor use and have a UV-stable finish. Keeping any steel dry and chip-free extends its life.
Putting it together
Pair a rack with a cover and you’ve solved most storage problems. The Woodhaven 8 ft rack is a good match for a half cord, and the 4 ft rack suits a quarter cord. Add kiln-dried firewood and you’re set for the season. During our seasonal sale, shipping is free.
