How To Stack Firewood?

Stacking firewood is an essential skill for anyone who relies on a wood-burning stove, fireplace, or outdoor fire pit to keep warm or cook during the colder months.

Properly stacked firewood not only ensures a steady and efficient source of heat but also contributes to the safety and longevity of your firewood supply.

Whether you’re a seasoned firewood enthusiast or a beginner looking to learn the ropes, this guide will walk you through the steps and techniques to master the art of stacking firewood.

Why Stacking Firewood is Important

To minimize moisture, mold, and pest infestations, it is important to stack kiln-dried firewood.

If you stack your firewood outside, this is especially important. Wood that’s thrown into a pile will become a breeding ground for moisture and pests.

Firewood with too much moisture produces mold, which makes it more difficult to burn and produces more smoke. It’s never fun to have pests anywhere!

It will keep your house clean if you stack your wood inside, and it adds a nice touch to your home. You won’t have to worry about mold or pests in your home if the wood is kiln dried.

Your kiln-dried firewood will remain pristine if you stack it properly so that you can light the fire whenever you want. We should find the right place to stack your stack before we begin stacking.

Tips For Stacking Firewood

There is nothing like the sound and smell of a wood burning fireplace to celebrate the cooler weather.

In addition to helping offset your heating costs, firewood can be replanted for future fire-burning enjoyment, unlike oil and coal.

The process of seasoning wood can take up to one year, but following these guidelines will help keep your purchased logs dry and burnable for much longer.

Stacking firewood may seem simple, but it’s not as simple as you might imagine. When stacking firewood, there are a few things you can do to ensure the seasoned wood lasts and is suitable for use:

• Make sure you wear work boots with steel toes when stacking wood for safety’s sake.
• It is important that all logs are level, whether they are stacked in columns or piled together.
• Round logs, with their largest end on the bottom for support, work well in the main pile. Square-cut logs or those that are flat are perfect for columns.
• As you add wood to the columns, stack two logs in one direction and two logs in the opposite direction.
• Make sure the seasoned wood stays dry—if it is not covered or sheltered, cover the top of the wood only with a tarp so that the remaining wood can breathe.

Choose A Proper Location To Store Your Firewood

Choosing the perfect spot to store firewood is the first step before you build your wood pile. Keeping your stack close to home may seem like a good idea.

When it comes to gathering fuel for a cozy fire inside, you don’t want to walk too far in the snow or rain. Furthermore, you will have some shelter from snow and rain under the eaves of your roof, which is great, right? Unfortunately, no!

Fire hazards can arise from seasoned firewood piled near your home if your area is prone to wildfires or dry conditions.

A direct placement of wood against your house or cabin can also trap moisture between the wood and the structure. There are several issues that can result from this, such as mildew, discoloration, and even rot on the siding.

Also, if placed near your home’s foundation, wood deck, porch or other nearby structures, termites can wreak havoc on your home’s foundation, wood deck, porch or other nearby structures.

You should store your firewood at a distance from your house to prevent any potential costly damages.

According to Down to Earth Homesteaders, wood stacks should be at least five feet away from your house, and in wildfire-prone areas, at least 30 feet away.

If you want to store your firewood in a place that complements the layout of your landscape, you should also take this into account.

The Chainsaw Journal suggests placing the firewood stack at the top of a slope if your home is on a slope in order to prevent moisture from draining under the stack after it rains or snows.

It is best to store your firewood stack in a location that receives plenty of sunlight instead of being in the shade.

During the fall or winter, you’ll have more efficient firewood because the heat and light from the sun will speed up the drying and seasoning process.

Firewood Should Be Stacked Off The Ground

You should keep your firewood stack off the ground when creating your firewood pile. You need a stable base for your log pile.

In the case of logs placed directly on the ground, moisture buildup is much greater, resulting in rotted wood.

By elevating the bottom layer of the wood, you will not waste wood or risk your hard work coming tumbling down.

To rest your logs on, simply lay down two treated wood boards. Compared to natural wood, these types of boards are designed to be on the ground and resist moisture better.

Stack Your Firewood Outside

No matter how you stack your firewood, don’t stack it too tightly, regardless of whether you have a rack.

• You won’t be able to dry or season your logs properly if you stack them too tightly together.
• Keep the wood nice and dry by leaving some space between the logs to promote air flow.
• Make sure that the ends of the firewood pile are even when stacking it.

Easy To Follow Firewood Stacking Techniques Explained

Throughout history, and even today, different cultures and countries have used different methods for stacking firewood.

There are many benefits to each method, but the amount of wood you need may dictate which one you choose and how you stack and store it.

Here are some popular methods of stacking firewood that may be the best.

1. The Shaker Woodpile Method

Shaker woodpiles are popular shapes, consisting of round sticks that touch at one end, but spiral out at the other end with larger gaps.

First layer has a spoke-like appearance, which adds a nice visual presence to the yard while using up odd-shaped logs.

Wood is dried quickly, quickly, and in a stable manner with this method. Follow these steps to create your own Shaker woodpile:

• The center of the pile should be marked by an 8″ by 16″ log or branch. The base of your pile should be at least two rows deep of split logs arranged in a circle.
• Lean more firewood against the split logs, creating a disc shape by stacking firewood in layers until they reach shoulder height.
• Stopped adding wood as soon as the top formed a cone.

2. Holzhaus – Firewood Stacked in a Circle

In a wooden house, firewood is stacked in a circle without the use of a shed or rack, which makes it symmetrical and self-reliant.

Europeans have been using this method for years, and it is now catching on in the US and other countries as well. Follow these steps to give it a try:

• Select an area with good air circulation and plenty of sunshine for your pile.
• Make a circle 8 feet in diameter by 10 feet in length.
• Using the ends of the logs, shape the bottom layer by wrapping them around the circle.
• Add layers of wood around the perimeter of the circle in the same manner.
• Make the middle of the circle smaller or odd-sized pieces.
• Position the pile’s top layer at an angle, ideally with pieces of wood laying across the middle.

3. End Pillar Wood Stack

End pillar wood stacks are considered some of the most popular methods of constructing pillars because they fit snugly into place with uniform pieces.

Support and stability will be improved as a result. To make your own stack of end pillar wood, follow these steps:

• The towers are constructed by turning two logs parallel to one another.
• The next layer should be constructed with two parallel logs perpendicular to the previous layer.
• Continue to add levels until you have about a dozen, or as high as you can without getting too cluttered.
• The second tower should be positioned at the same height as the first but more than a few feet away.
• In between, lay the logs in a straight line, with their cut ends facing the direction of the prevailing wind (usually, weather systems move westward, so facing west is a good bet).
• Layer the pile until it is the same height as the towers.
• Make sure the pieces are bark side up in order to prevent the pieces from shedding moisture into the heap.
• Wood stacked in neat towers may look appealing, but they aren’t as efficient for seasoning as they don’t allow for enough air circulation.
• As a final step, you can use long sticks to help stabilize the pile, leaning them against the woodpile.

4. The German Method

Firewood can also be stacked using the German method of holzhaufen (wood pile) or holz hausen (wood house). Stacks of wood are designed to allow air to flow into their centers, keeping them dry.

• Once you’ve completed the steps below, you’ll have a firewood stack about 6 feet wide and 7 feet high.
• Make sure the wood is no longer than 12-24 inches long and has a uniform width, so it doesn’t burn unevenly.
• A 7-foot-high stake should be placed in the middle of the pile, and the firewood should be laid with one end facing the stake and the other toward the outside (forming a circle).
• Continue in this manner until you reach a height of about 7 feet.
• Finish off the pile by adding bark to protect the wood from the elements.

5. American Stacking Method

Stacking in the American style is simple. This method involves stacking one layer of wood and then changing the direction of the wood for each layer.

In one layer, all the wood is vertically stacked. The next layer consists of horizontal wood pieces.

In backyards, porches, and decks, these woodpiles tend to be narrow and long, making it easier to access individual pieces.

On either end of the pile, anchor pieces are usually stacked vertically. Firewood can be kept off the ground by stacking pallets or some other type of material on the bottom.

You can easily grab wood whenever you need it with this method because it’s easy to do. You might find this method to be the best if you do not have a lot of wood to stack.

You should keep in mind that if you stack them too tightly, they will become prone to moisture damage.

You will still get some moisture from this method, but the German, Norwegian, and Shaker methods will let your firewood breathe more freely.

6. Stacking in a Firewood Rack

A tried-and-true rack can be used in addition to the more complex methods of stacking firewood. Here are the steps you need to follow to make a neat pile in a rack:

Lay identically sized pieces of wood side by side on the rack, then repeat the process the other way around.

Stack the pile until it reaches about four feet high, making sure it is sturdy and does not wobble when you push it.

Make sure that big gaps are filled in with smaller pieces of wood, which will strengthen the pile.

7. The Norwegian Stacking Method

Stacking wood with barked firewood over the top is a Norwegian method that produces large wooden circles.

By barking the firewood, you protect it from the weather elements. Similar to the Shaker and German methods, the Norwegian method has a house-like appearance.

Using this method, you can keep your wood stack dry throughout the season by letting air flow through it. Follow these steps to do the Norwegian technique:

• Starting with a pallet or a pressurized 2 x 4, lay logs in a circular pattern.
• In the middle of the circle, fill the center with wood that is uneven or smaller in size. It prevents inward collapse and provides support.
• Stack the wood at a height of about 3.5 feet, then top off the stack with smaller pieces facing outward.

There are many similarities between this approach and that of Shakers and Germans. Your yard will look nice, and you’ll get more airflow.

8. The Criss Cross Stacking Method

Stacking wood using only pillars, or the criss cross method, involves building pillars and repeating them. The end pillar method is similar to this method, except only the pillars are constructed.

In order to stack the criss cross method, follow these steps:

• Either use treated 2x4s or pallets to create a base of three-four parallel rows.
• The end pillars are built by laying 3-4 pieces of firewood next to each other at each end of the base.
• Lay another 3-4 pieces in the opposite direction on top of your first layer.
• Until your pillar is 12 rows high, repeat the previous two steps.

Maintain a few inches of space between each pillar to allow air to flow between them. The method is simple and easy to use. As a backdrop for your yard or against your fence, it looks nice.

Protect Against the Elements

It’s important to keep the wood pile dry even when its outside, now that you’ve built it. It is important to keep water off of your firewood by using a tarp. Firewood piles should be covered in the right way, however.

A tarp might seem like a good idea for keeping your firewood dry, but it actually traps moisture, preventing it from drying out completely.

It’s best just to lay the tarp over the top few rows of firewood, according to cabinlife.com. In this way, water will run off the top over the tarp instead of settling into the wood and soaking in.

You can keep the tarp secure on the wood pile by placing bricks or patio pavers on top to prevent it from blowing away.

It’s also possible to keep the water off your woodpile without a tarp by placing extra metal roofing over it.

How Do You Cover Stacked Firewood?

Covering stacked firewood with a tarp is your best option. The tarp should be hung loosely over the pile and cover only the top of it (not the sides, since this will block airflow).

How Do You Dry Firewood Quickly?

It is important that the wind and sun reach every part of the wood’s surface in order for it to dry out quickly. To minimize drying time, leave your wood out for several months before stacking.

Is It OK To Stack Firewood On The Ground?

Stacking firewood on the ground is not a good idea. The moisture in the ground can penetrate the wood and prevent it from drying out as well.

Wood attracts termites, plus it can get wet from the ground. You can store it by stacking it with one of the methods above instead of burying it in the ground.

Which Kind Of Wood Is Best For Firewood?

You should buy or quarter hardwood logs, such as hickory, white oak, and white ash (softwoods ignite faster, but burn too quickly).

Remember to get logs of different sizes: Smaller pieces catch and burn faster, while larger, thicker pieces burn longer. A support tower at each end holds rows of logs in the most traditional pile.

Do I Need To Season Firewood Before Stacking?

Firewood should be seasoned before stacking to remove moisture and make it easier to burn.

Unseasoned wood burns with water vapor combining with gases and particles and entering the chimney. As the residue is highly flammable, this can pose a problem.

How High Can You Stack Firewood?

Firewood should not be stacked higher than 4 feet. Firewood stacks can be as long as you like, but if they are higher than 4 feet, they become unstable.

It’s dangerous to stack firewood in an unstable manner, but you may have to spend time restacking the wood in case it falls over.

When stacking logs, try to make them as even as possible in order to prevent the wood from falling over. Simply find a log that’s larger on one end and use it to straighten out a row that’s slanting towards you.

Do You Stack Firewood With The Bark Up Or Bark Down?

When stacking firewood, the bark should face up or down, depending on which school of thought you follow.

Which way is better?

It’s difficult to tell the difference between the two ways of stacking firewood, and I haven’t noticed one way performing better than the other.

Firewood that is stacked bark down is believed to dry faster because moisture evaporates more quickly from the split top of the wood.

By stacking wood bark-side up, rain is shed from the wood, preventing it from getting wet.

Summary

There you have it! Here are 4 simple tips for stacking dry firewood properly:

• Place your firewood pile in the right place
• Elevate your firewood and keep it off the ground
• Airflow must be allowed to flow freely through the firewood when it’s stacked
• Put up a metal roofing on top of the wood pile to protect it from moisture

These easy tips will help you create the perfect firewood pile for cozy nights by the fire.