The Three Rules
- Off the ground
- Under cover
- Good airflow
Get those three right and your logs will stay dry and ready to burn.
Off the Ground
Never stack logs directly on soil, grass or concrete that gets damp. Moisture wicks up from the ground and into the bottom layers.
Use a log store with a raised floor, or stack on pallets, or put down a tarp first. Even a few inches off the ground makes a big difference.
Under Cover
Rain is the enemy. Your logs need a roof — but not a sealed cover.
A proper log store with a sloped roof is ideal. The roof keeps rain off, but the open sides let air circulate. Never wrap logs in a tarp or plastic — it traps moisture and the logs will go mouldy.
If you don't have a log store, stack against a wall under an overhang, with a tarp on top (but not wrapped around the sides).
Good Airflow
Air needs to circulate through your log stack to keep the wood dry. Stack logs loosely — don't pack them tight. Leave gaps between logs for air to move.
If you're stacking against a wall, leave a few inches between the logs and the wall. And don't stack them too high — a collapsing log pile is dangerous.
Where to Put Your Log Store
- Near the house — so you don't have to walk far in the rain
- Not in an enclosed garage — too little airflow
- Not under trees — drips and shade keep things damp
- Facing the prevailing wind — for maximum airflow (in Cheshire, that's usually south-westerly)
How Long Do Logs Keep?
Properly stored, dry logs will stay dry for years. The drier they are when you store them, the longer they'll keep.
This is why buying kiln-dried or properly barn-dried logs matters — if they're dry when they arrive, they'll stay dry. If they arrive damp, no amount of storage will fix them quickly.
Buy Dry, Store Right
We dry our logs properly at our yard — kiln-dried, barn-dried and seasoned. Check if we deliver to your area — we cover Haslington, Crewe, Nantwich and more across Cheshire.
Order online and pay the driver on delivery — cash or card.