Fireplaces and wood stoves are an excellent addition to any home, providing a picturesque place to relax and warm up any time of year. If you don’t have gas logs, it helps to know the best way to store firewood. Ideally, you want to keep it within reach while maintaining a clean, safe indoor environment.

New Richmond, Ohio, residents turn to Charlie’s Chimney Sweeps and Masonry for insightful advice on their most prized heating fixtures. If you want to learn the best way to store firewood, these chimney experts have the answers you’ve been looking for:

• Off the Ground: Unlike gas logs, firewood deteriorates quickly, especially when in direct contact with soil. Since dirt is filled with bacteria, fungi, and insects, your wood can be consumed by these pests. Elevate your pile in any way you can to eliminate moisture and soil contact, keeping it clean, dry, and ready for burning. Attempting to use dirty wood will create the need for a time-consuming fireplace cleaning.
• Covered With a Tarp: Many families with wood stoves or fireplaces place a tarp over their wood to protect it from moisture and soil contact. When openly exposed to moisture in the air, wood rots, cracks and discolors. However, air circulation is also important. If it’s expected to rain, throw a tarp over the whole pile. If immediate rain isn’t in the forecast, cover the top and leave the sides exposed so moisture has space to escape.
• Away From Your Home: Burning firewood isn’t as simple as using gas logs—you can’t just leave your supply in the fireplace and let it be. While easy access is convenient, don’t keep firewood too close to your home. As a general rule, your logs should stay 30–50 feet away from your house—any closer and you’re inviting insects, snakes, and mice inside. 

If you prefer a pile of good, old-fashioned firewood over modern gas logs, there’s no need to worry. Knowing how and where to store your pile will leave you with clean, dry wood that’s always ready for burning. When your fireplace is due for a cleaning, count on the experts at Charlie’s Chimney Sweeps and Masonry. Visit the company online for more information, or call (513) 553-0229 to schedule your service appointment today.