How to Store Firewood Outside in the UK: The Complete Guide

Buying good-quality kiln-dried firewood is only half the job. How you store your logs once they arrive can make a big difference to how well they burn when you need them.

And in the UK, where rain, damp conditions and changing weather are part of life, good firewood storage is particularly important.

Whether you’ve ordered a few bags of logs or stocked up with enough firewood to see you through winter, this guide explains how to store firewood outside properly and keep it in the best possible condition.

Can You Store Firewood Outside?

Yes. Firewood can be stored outside very successfully, provided it is protected from prolonged exposure to rain while still having plenty of airflow around it.

The mistake many people make is thinking firewood needs to be completely sealed away from the weather.

It doesn't.

Your logs need protection from rain above and ventilation around the sides.

A well-designed log store does both.

What's the Best Way to Store Firewood Outside?

The ideal outdoor firewood store should have:

• A solid or covered roof

• Open or ventilated sides

• Good airflow around the logs

• A raised base

• Protection from driving rain where possible

• Enough space to stack the logs without packing them too tightly

The aim is simple: keep rain off while allowing air to move through the stack.

Keep Your Firewood Off the Ground

One of the most important rules of firewood storage is to avoid stacking logs directly on soil, grass or another damp surface.

Moisture can transfer from the ground into the bottom of the stack, while poor airflow underneath can encourage damp conditions.

A purpose-built log store will normally have a raised base.

If you're creating your own storage area, pallets or suitable timber supports can help lift the firewood away from the ground and improve airflow underneath.

Should You Cover Firewood With a Tarpaulin?

You can, but you need to be careful.

Wrapping an entire stack tightly in plastic or tarpaulin can restrict ventilation and trap moisture inside.

If you're using a cover, concentrate on protecting the top of the stack from rain while leaving the sides exposed enough for air to circulate.

Think roof, not wrapping.

That's one of the simplest rules to remember when storing firewood outdoors.

Does Kiln-Dried Firewood Need to Be Stored Differently?

Kiln-dried firewood has already been dried to a low moisture content, so your job is to help maintain that condition.

At Surefire Wood, our firewood is kiln dried to below 20% moisture content before it leaves us.

Once delivered, however, firewood is exposed to the environment in which it is stored.

Leaving kiln-dried logs uncovered in persistent rain or sitting on wet ground is therefore best avoided.

A dry, ventilated log store helps protect the firewood you've paid for and keeps it ready for your stove or fireplace.

Can Kiln-Dried Logs Get Wet Again?

Yes.

Kiln drying doesn't make wood waterproof.

If logs are left exposed to heavy or prolonged rain, their surface will get wet and they can absorb moisture.

A brief shower while you're moving or handling logs isn't the same as leaving them uncovered outdoors for weeks.

The important thing is to get them into suitable storage where they're protected from further rain and have enough ventilation to dry any surface moisture.

Where Should You Position a Log Store?

Choose somewhere convenient but well ventilated.

A sheltered position can help protect your firewood from the worst of the weather, but avoid completely enclosed areas with poor airflow.

Also think about practicality.

When it's dark, cold and raining in the middle of January, you probably won't want to walk to the far end of the garden every time the log basket needs filled.

Positioning your main store somewhere reasonably accessible can make a big difference during winter.

Should You Store Firewood Against the House?

It's generally better to leave some space between your firewood and a building rather than stacking large quantities of logs tightly against an external wall.

The gap improves airflow and helps prevent moisture being trapped between the stack and the wall.

It also makes it easier to inspect and manage the area around your firewood.

How Should Firewood Be Stacked?

You don't need to create a work of art, but a reasonably neat stack has advantages.

Stacking logs allows air to move between them and makes better use of your storage space.

Try not to cram logs together so tightly that there's virtually no airflow.

A stable stack with small natural gaps between the logs is ideal.

Should Bark Face Up or Down?

You'll find plenty of debate about this one.

In a properly roofed and ventilated log store, it matters far less than the fundamentals: keep the logs off wet ground, protect them from rain and maintain good airflow.

Get those three things right before worrying about which direction every piece of bark is facing.

Can You Store Firewood in a Garage or Shed?

Potentially, but ventilation is important.

A completely enclosed, poorly ventilated shed isn't automatically better than an outdoor log store.

If you're bringing kiln-dried logs into an enclosed building, make sure the area remains dry and has suitable ventilation.

Avoid storing wet firewood in an enclosed space where the moisture has nowhere to escape.

How Much Firewood Should You Keep Indoors?

A smaller log basket or holder beside the stove is ideal for keeping a convenient supply close at hand.

Your main stock, however, is generally better kept in your dedicated storage area and brought indoors as required.

This gives you the best of both worlds: plenty of properly stored firewood outside and enough logs beside the stove for convenient everyday use.

Don't Forget Your Kindling

Kindling needs protecting from moisture too.

Because the pieces are smaller and are there to help establish your fire quickly, keeping your kindling dry is particularly useful.

Store bags of kindling somewhere sheltered and dry rather than leaving them exposed to the weather.

How Long Can You Store Kiln-Dried Firewood?

Properly stored kiln-dried firewood can be kept for an extended period.

There isn't a magic date when a dry log suddenly becomes unusable.

What matters is the storage environment.

If the logs remain dry, ventilated and protected from prolonged exposure to rain and ground moisture, you can confidently stock up ahead of the burning season rather than waiting until you run low.

Why Stocking Up Before Winter Makes Sense

Buying firewood before you desperately need it gives you time to get your log store organised and means you're ready when the temperature drops.

It can also reduce the inconvenience of repeatedly ordering small quantities during the busiest part of the burning season.

For households that use their stove regularly, keeping a sensible reserve means you're not looking at the last few logs on a freezing Sunday evening wondering whether you have enough to get through the week.

Start With Properly Kiln-Dried Firewood

Good storage helps maintain your firewood, but it can't compensate for logs that weren't properly dried in the first place.

Surefire Wood has been producing firewood in County Fermanagh since 1989.

We process and kiln dry our own firewood, with our logs dried to below 20% moisture content and screened to remove excess bark and dust before packing.

Our range includes Premium Larch & Spruce Firewood for strong, responsive heat and Premium Hardwood, predominantly Ash, Oak and Beech, for customers looking for denser logs and a longer-lasting fire.

The Simple Rule for Storing Firewood

If you remember nothing else from this guide, remember this:

Off the ground. Rain off the top. Air around the sides.

You don't need an elaborate storage system to look after kiln-dried firewood properly.

Keep your logs raised, covered from persistent rain and well ventilated, and you'll be in a much better position when it's time to light the stove.

Get Stocked Up for Winter

Explore Surefire Wood's range of kiln-dried firewood, premium hardwood, kindling and fireside essentials and get your home ready for the colder months ahead.