Firewood Storage
Cover the top, keep the sides open, and let the wind do the work.
Is it ready to burn?
Penn State says most firewood needs 6–12 months. Vermont recommends burning wood at 20% moisture or less.
Where to store firewood
Pick a spot with good drainage that you can reach in the snow. Get the wood off the ground on pallets or rails, and leave the sides open to the breeze. Check local rules on how close to the house you can stack it.
Cover the top, leave the sides open
A roof or a tarp over the top keeps the rain off. Tie it down. Don’t wrap the whole pile — moisture gets trapped and the wood stops drying. Stack so you can take the oldest wood first.
How long does firewood take to season?
Penn State Extension’s rule of thumb is 6 to 12 months, but the wood, how small it’s split, your weather and the airflow all shift that. Start counting from when it was split, and let a moisture meter have the final word.
Check the inside of a fresh split
Split a piece open and test the fresh face with a moisture meter. The outside of a log dries first, so an old end can fool you. Check a few pieces from different parts of the pile.
Bring in only what you’ll burn
Keep the main pile outside and bring in a day or two’s worth at a time. Look for bugs first, and keep it away from the stove. If you’re not sure it’s dry, give it more time.
Frequently asked questions
Do unsplit rounds season as fast?
No. Splitting exposes more wood to the air, so split wood dries a lot faster.
Can I wrap the pile in plastic?
Only the top. Wrapping the sides traps moisture.
Do cracks on the ends mean it’s dry?
Not always. Check with a moisture meter on a fresh split.
Does kiln-dried wood stay dry outside?
It can soak water back up. Keep it covered.
Where these numbers come from
- agriculture.vermont.gov, checked
- extension.psu.edu, checked