Firewood Storage and Burning Tips for a Safe Winter

Published on 29 August 2025

Posted in Uncategorised

It’s a bitterly cold winter evening, the wind roaring outside, and you suddenly realise your “seasoned” logs are too wet to burn. To make matters worse, the chimney is clogged with leaves. These factors collectively can ruin your cosy night by the fire you were hoping for.

This scenario plays out in homes across the UK every winter, but it’s entirely avoidable. The secret lies in proper preparation, using properly seasoned firewood, maintaining your heating equipment, and following safe burning practices. Get these fundamentals right, and you’ll enjoy efficient, safe fires that keep you warm all season long.

Here’s what we’ll cover to get you winter-ready:

• How to check and store your firewood properly
• Essential fireplace and stove maintenance tasks
• Safe burning practices for maximum heat output

How to check and store your firewood properly

Check Your Firewood is Properly Seasoned

If your firewood isn’t properly seasoned (dried), you’re fighting a losing battle from the start. Wet wood creates more smoke than heat, clogs up your chimney with creosote, and leads to a pretty miserable fire experience.

So how do you know if your wood is ready to burn? Look for these signs:

• Cracks on the ends: Well-seasoned logs develop radial cracks as they dry
• Hollow sound: Give two logs a tap together, dry wood sounds hollow, wet wood makes a dull thud
• Lighter weight: Seasoned wood feels noticeably lighter than fresh-cut logs
• Bark falling off: The bark on seasoned hardwood often peels away easily

Of course, if you want to skip the guesswork entirely, The Log Dog’s kiln-dried logs are ready to burn straight away, with a guaranteed moisture content below 20%.

Store Wood the Right Way

Even the best-seasoned firewood can turn soggy if it’s not stored properly. Hence, it is advised to cover the top, but leave the sides open. Think of it like a wooden umbrella, you want to keep the rain off whilst allowing air to circulate freely.

Here’s your storage checklist:

• Raise it off the ground: Use pallets, bricks, or purpose-built log store legs to prevent ground moisture from creeping up
• Cover from above: A tarp, corrugated roof, or proper log store roof keeps the worst of the weather off
• Keep sides open: Resist the urge to wrap your wood pile completely; you need airflow for continued drying

Essential fireplace and stove maintenance tasks

Book a Chimney Sweep Early

Over the course of a burning season, creosote (a tar-like substance) builds up inside your chimney. This stuff is highly flammable and is the leading cause of chimney fires in the UK. Add to that the possibility of bird nests, leaves, or other debris blocking your flue.

This is why it is important to book your chimney sweep early, ideally in late summer or early autumn, before the rush begins. A professional sweep will:

• Remove dangerous creosote buildup
• Clear any blockages
• Inspect your chimney for damage
• Provide you with a certificate (often required for insurance)

Most sweeps recommend an annual clean, but if you’re a heavy user, you might need it twice a year.

Safety Checks Around the Home

Before you light your first fire of the season, take ten minutes to check your safety equipment.

• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms: Test them monthly and replace batteries annually (we recommend doing it when the clocks change, easy to remember). Carbon monoxide is odourless and deadly, so working alarms are non-negotiable.
• Fire extinguisher: Keep a Class A fire extinguisher nearby, and make sure everyone in the house knows where it is and how to use it.

Wood Stove Care

If you’ve got a wood stove, it needs a bit of attention before winter arrives. These checks will keep it running efficiently and safely:

• Door gaskets: Check the rope seals around your stove door. If they’re frayed or loose, replace them; a tight seal is crucial for controlling airflow and efficiency.
• Firebricks: Inspect the firebricks inside your stove. They protect the steel from extreme heat, so replace any that are cracked or crumbling.
• Glass door: Clean the glass with stove glass cleaner for the best view of your fire (and to spot any problems early).
• Damper operation: Make sure your damper opens and closes smoothly. You’ll need good control over airflow for efficient burning.

Safe burning practices for maximum heat output

Start with kindling (small, dry twigs or wood shavings), then add progressively larger pieces as your fire establishes. The proper sequence:

1. Tinder: Paper, dry leaves, or commercial fire starters
2. Kindling: Small, dry twigs or thin wood strips
3. Small logs: Once your kindling is burning well
4. Larger seasoned logs: Added gradually as the fire develops

Choose the Right Firewood

Not all firewood is created equal, and choosing the right type can make a massive difference to your fire’s performance.

• Hardwoods (oak, ash, beech, birch) are your best friends for long-lasting, hot-burning fires. They take longer to catch, but once they’re going, they provide steady heat for hours.
• Softwoods (pine, fir, spruce) light easily and burn fast, making them perfect for kindling or getting a fire started quickly, but they don’t provide the sustained heat of hardwoods.

What to avoid:

• Green (fresh-cut) wood: High moisture content makes for smoky, inefficient fires
• Treated or painted wood: Can release toxic fumes
• Driftwood: Often contains salt, which corrodes your firebox
• Cardboard or magazines: The inks and chemicals can be harmful

This is where The Log Dog’s kiln-dried hardwood logs really shine. They’re specifically selected for optimal burning, dried to the perfect moisture content, and delivered ready to burn.

Use a Moisture Meter Before Burning

These moisture metres help with filtering out the firewood selection and can save you money in the long run.

Why the 20% rule matters

• Below 20% is ideal for clean burning, maximum heat output, and minimal smoke.
• A moisture content between 20-25% is acceptable but not ideal. expect some hissing and reduced heat.
• Above 25% offers a poor burn quality with inefficient burning, lots of smoke, creosote buildup, and reduced heat.

The Log Dog Can Help You Stay Winter-Ready

At The Log Dog, we’ve made it our mission to deliver premium kiln-dried hardwood logs across the UK, taking the complications out of firewood selection.

We offer a range of options to suit your needs:

• 1 cubic metre and 2 cubic metres of loose logs
• Larger bulk loads (priced per cubic metre)
• Handy kindling bags and natural firelighters

Our logs are carefully selected, kiln-dried to below 20% moisture content, and delivered directly to your door. Whether you’ve got a wood stove, open fireplace, or outdoor fire pit, we’ve got the perfect logs for your needs. Plus, with our reliable delivery service, you can stock up before the winter rush begins.

Don’t spend another winter battling with damp, smoky logs or scrambling for decent firewood at the last minute. Order from The Log Dog today and discover what a real fire should be like.

Contact Log Dog today to find the perfect firewood package for your household, and we’ll help you stay warm the sustainable way. Don’t hesitate to call us at 01295256436 if you have any questions. 

FAQs

1. How much firewood should I order for winter?

A typical UK household using their fireplace regularly (3 – 4 times per week) will burn through 2 – 3 cubic metres of seasoned hardwood during winter. Heavy users might need 4 – 5 cubic metres. It’s better to order too much than run out in February!

2. How many logs do I need for winter in the UK?

This depends on your log size and burning habits, but as a rough guide, expect to use 8 – 12 logs per evening fire. For a full winter season, most households need between 200 – 400 logs. Ordering in bulk often works out more economically.

3. Can I burn freshly cut logs if I run out?

In an emergency, yes, but it’s not ideal. Fresh logs have high moisture content (often 40 – 50%), which means poor heat output, lots of smoke, and rapid creosote buildup in your chimney. If you must burn green wood, mix it with seasoned logs and expect reduced performance.

4. How often should I sweep my chimney in winter?

Most professionals recommend annual sweeping, typically before the burning season begins. However, if you’re a heavy user (burning daily throughout winter), you might need a mid-season sweep as well. Watch for signs like poor draw, smoke entering the room, or white staining on your chimney exterior. 

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