Firewood and Hearth

When the frigid temperatures of winter arrive, you want to have plenty of dry firewood available for a warm night by the fire. It’s not as easy as it sounds if you don’t have the proper tools for storing firewood. Here are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to making sure your fire burns hot and efficiently this season.

Storing Firewood Outside

The first thing you need to do when you’re preparing for those chilly nights is to organize the firewood. It may be tempting to stack the wood conveniently in your home near the fireplace somewhere. But that’s a big don’t when it comes to storing firewood. You don’t want to introduce any pests like termites to your home! Do use a rack to stack your firewood and store safely outside. This will keep the wood off the ground, which will help get rid of bugs, mold growth, and rot. This ultra-duty rack with a 2-way adjustable cover will give you seasoned wood with a small footprint. The premium U Channel frame and open-air design will give your firewood the ventilation it needs, while also making it easy for you to access. If you want something bigger than the compact 4 ft. model, you can choose a rack in multiple sizes up to this 16 ft. model.

SHOP FIREWOOD RACKS

The Best Choice in Firewood Storage

While storing firewood outside is a great first step, you don’t want to ever keep it someplace where it can easily get wet. When your ultimate goal is to create burnable wood for an efficient fire, do invest in a seasoning shed. The ShelterLogic Firewood Seasoning Shed, 5 x 3.5 x 5 ft... has an innovative design that will allow your wood to dry twice as fast as open air drying. The heavy-duty steel frame guarantees maximum durability, while the translucent cover allows light in and retains heat. The specially des

Nothing gets you ready for the chill of winter like a log burning in the fireplace. But with all the months of warmer weather, it’s possible you weren’t keeping up with proper fireplace maintenance. From firewood storage to hearth accessories, here are some tips to keep your fireplace stocked and ready this season.

Seasoning Sheds for Efficiency and Safety...

Well-seasoned wood is one of the most important key

When the weather starts cooling down, who doesn’t love kicking back and relaxing by the fire and warming up with friends and family? It’s one of the best parts of fall and winter. So if you’re planning on bonfires or hot chocolate by the fireplace, you will need lots of dry firewood. Learning how to stack firewood will help ensure your fires burn hotter and more efficiently.

Choosing the Right Storage Solution...

One of the most important ways to make sure your firewood stays dry is to protect it wi

Fall is just around the corner, which means bonfires and maybe even a few nights in front of the fireplace to stay warm. But before the first snow of winter, you’ll want to make sure to be ready with plenty of dry firewood. By taking just a few simple steps, you can avoid damp, moldy and rotting firewood. Here are some tips and tools to get the most out of your firewood while getting ready for winter.

Storage with Minimal Footprint...

You can’t burn a fire efficiently with damp firewood. One of the

The summer season offers warm weather, outdoor fun, and plenty of backyard barbecues and chances to put your fire pit to use all season long. But what about your firewood supply for winter? You may not be thinking about preparing for the snowy season just yet, but fresh firewood should be taken care of sooner rather than later. Determine when you should be seasoning firewood in order to guarantee plenty of safe and efficient fires year-round.

Why Do You Need to Season Firewood?

Freshly cut or “green” firewood retains up to 45% or more of its moisture content. Too much moisture prevents firewood from burning properly, making it difficult to light, sustain, or effectively produce warmth. Further, burning wet firewood also increases smoke and creosote buildup that may threaten your home and health. Too much smoke and creosote greatly increase the risk of a home fire, while overexposure potentially contributes to respiratory damage, eye injury, and more. In order to enjoy safe and quality fires at home, firewood needs to be sufficiently dry. Seasoning firewood simply means airing out your pile in order to dry wood and bring the moisture content down to 20% or less. With less moisture, energy is spent actually burning the wood as opposed to drying it first, allowing for more successful, safe, and efficient fires.

When Should You Season Firewood?

When it comes to seasoning firewood, the sooner the better. On average, it takes about 6 months to a year for freshly cut wood to effectively dry. However, seasoning time is largely dependent on location, wood species, original moisture content, length of logs, and other variables. But more likely than not, if you haven’t already, now’s the time to start! In order to be ready for winter, begin the seasoning process in the spring or early summer. This provides a sufficient overall drying time. And, the refreshing spring breeze and the hot summer sun will further help firewood effectively dry. And, if you utilize a few techniques and tools, burnable firewood is guaranteed just in time for the frigid season.

Tips for Seasoning Firewood

To improve seasoning efficiency, use these techniques and tools to ensure thoroughly dried firewood.

Pick a good spot.

For fast seasoning, expose your open pile to as much sunlight, heat, and airflow as possible. Place pile in an open space and avoid leaning it against your home as this not only blocks sunlight and airflow, but allows insects and unwanted pests easier access into your home.

Stack your pile strategically.

In order to ensure optimal airflow throughout your entire pile, strategize your stacking technique. Split wood in advance, alternate directions between rows, and keep your pile off the ground. A properly stacked and protected pile helps firewood season and dry effectively. And, efficiently stacking your pile further prevents mold, wood decay, and insect or mice infestation.

Utilize Firewood Storage Solutions and Seasoning Sheds.

To effectively avoid mold or pests and maximize seasoning time, consider using one of these firewood storage solutions:

• Firewood storage racks keep your supply off the ground, away from your home, and effectively protected from excess moisture. Options such as the ShelterLogic 12 ft. Ultra Duty Firewood Rack boast a 6600 lb load, protecting up to a ¾ cord of wood for a durable large-scale firewood storage solution. With a high-quality adjustable polyester fabric cover, firewood gets just enough coverage to seal out rain without cutting off air circulation. Or, utilize options such as the Arrow Firewood Rack for convenient and compact firewood storage.  These all-steel solutions resist corrosion, offer easy DIY assembly, and come in multiple color options to complement any building exterior.
• Firewood seasoning sheds cut seasoning time in half to provide ready-to-use firewood faster and more efficiently than ever before. These innovative and portable solutions feature a strong heavy duty steel frame for reliable strength and durability.
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Why Do You Need a Clean Hearth...

Few things are better than evenings spent around a toasty fireplace during the frigid winter months. But what happens when your hearth hasn’t had a good cleaning in a while? Sparking fire after fire without cleaning or maintaining your fireplace not only aesthetically affects your hearth, but can also be quite dangerous. Consistent use causes creosote buildup, putting your health and home at risk. This oily, black substance is an accumulation of smoke, wood, tar, a