For those of us who love wood heat, the hunt for cheap firewood is a never ending quest.  In fact, scavenging for a big haul of free wood is something of a hobby for many.  

If you’re fed up with paying a big stack of money for a not so big stack of firewood, then you just may want to join in the hunt.  Finding cheap or free firewood is not as hard as you may think.  With a little networking and some poking around, you’ll be surprised just how much cheap firewood is actually available.

So where can you reliably find cheap firewood?  Here are 7 of the best ways to get a hold of cheap or free firewood that won’t let you down.

1.  Check out construction sites

It seems like everywhere you look there is new construction.  Small towns are expanding and urban sprawl is still going strong.  While hundreds of new homes might not be what you hoped for in your neck of the woods, there is a silver lining.  Wood scraps!  And lots of it.

Most home building projects generate a fair bit of wood scraps that need to be hauled away.  And that costs money.  So, the next time you pass by a new home development, stop and see if you could be of service.  Ask a foreman on the job if there is any wood you can take off their hands.  It’s free firewood for you and more money in the homebuilder’s pocket.  

Just remember to avoid treated lumber or wood products with adhesives like OSB or CDX plywood sheets.  These materials are not safe to burn.  Instead, search for clean, dry lumber like 2x4s or 2x6s scraps.  Don’t believe me? Check out my post about the hidden dangers of burning treated lumber.

Bonus tip:  Try not to bother a construction crew hard at work.  Time is money for these guys and interruptions are not always appreciated.  Try timing your search for free wood during their lunch breaks.  You’re more likely to catch them in a generous mood.

2.  Make friends with local landscapers

If there is one thing landscapers do a lot of, it’s trimming trees.  As is the case with construction debris, all those tree limbs and chunks of wood need to get hauled away and dumped.  Once again, this is where you come in.  Put in a little work and you may be able to make friends with your local landscape crew by helping them get rid of all that wonderful firewood.  

More than likely, it’s going to cost them some money to dump all those branches at a recycle center.  Not to mention, it takes time and effort to load piles of branches into a truck or trailer.  Offer to come out to the job site and load your truck up with the larger branches yourself.  Who will say no to free labor?  Then, head home and cut it to size at your leisure.

After building a relationship with a productive crew of landscapers, they may think to call you up every time they chunk up a tree.  It could potentially be an endless supply of free firewood.  

3.  Call up a sawmill or lumber yard

Not everyone has a sawmill or lumber yard close to home but for those that do, they are a potential gold mine of excellent firewood.  Sawmills process huge amounts of timber to make lumber.  However, not every part of a tree gets turned into a usable product and all the leftovers need to be discarded.  

Typically, mills pay to have all that wood taken away so they are often willing to let people like you and me take a load or two of their hands if we ask nice.  In most cases, mill operators let you take all you want but don’t be surprised if they ask for a few bucks in return.  Sawmills are businesses after all.  Even so, it’s still among the cheapest source of firewood you’ll find.

Sure, you may not have a sawmill handy in your neck of the woods but lumber yards are everywhere.  Unlike Home Depot or Lowes, local lumber yards handle vast amounts of wood.  Therefore, you can bet that they have wood scraps laying around.  My local lumber yard even has a big bin filled with free wood all the time.  All it takes is a quick phone call to your local lumber yard to find out if they have some too.

4.  Ask your neighbors

Chances are your neighbors could be a great source of firewood.  Not everyone burns firewood for heat but most people have trees in their yards or know someone who does.  Start networking with your neighbors to let them know you are on the hunt for firewood.  

Now, the next time a fallen tree needs to be removed, you’ll be the one they call.  It’s also a good idea to keep an eye out for downed trees after a storm passes through your town.  Many people don’t like to hassle with cutting up fallen trees and will gladly take your offer to cut it up.  

5.  Find more wood online

When local sources run dry, it’s time to expand your search for firewood.  Among the most productive places to find loads of cheap or free firewood is on the internet.  Classifieds such as Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp have countless listings of people hoping to get rid of unsightly piles of wood, pallets or tree debris.  

Not all ads are created equal though.  Cheap firewood might be cheap for a reason.  Watch out for rotten or low quality wood.  For that reason, I prefer ads with pictures so I don’t waste a trip out to the location only to find that it’s not what I expected.   

6.  Obtain public land firewood permits

Public lands like National Forests, BLM land and State Forest land have an abundance of quality firewood.  You can obtain wood cutting permits from each government agency for as little as $20.  Most permits allow for up to 3 or 4 cords of wood to be cut with a nominal fee for additional cords.

Since we don’t all have access to plentiful sources of firewood, public land firewood permits are the ideal way to stockpile enough wood to last the entire year.  Bear in mind that obtaining a permit does not entitle you to cut anything you want. 

Each permit for the various lands has specific regulations and rules you must follow.  Typically, only deadfalls and downed timber is legal to cut with a valid firewood permit.  That means you’ll need to cover some distance on forest roads to get your share of wood.  

7.  Place a wanted ad for firewood

Sometimes it’s better to let the firewood find you instead of hunting it down yourself. Try placing a wanted ad online.  Craigslist is a good marketplace with a high volume of local traffic.  There is always someone looking to off-load some unneeded wood that will bolster up your firewood stash for the winter.  

Improve the odds that you’ll get quality wood by specifying exactly what type of wood you are looking for.  Otherwise, you may end up with a lot of calls begging you to haul away a rotten pile of fence boards or decaying tree limbs.  

Final Thoughts

There is nothing wrong with buying pre-split, seasoned wood from a reputable firewood dealer.  But you will pay top dollar for the convenience.  It’s well worth the time and effort to find cheaper sources of firewood and it’s usually easier than you think.  

As a final note of caution, make sure you always ask for permission from landowners before assuming that any wood laying around is free for the taking. 

The post 7 Fail-Proof Ways To Find Cheap or Free Firewood appeared first on Cut Stack Burn.

While hauling firewood is anything but easy, there are some tools and techniques that make this chore as easy as it gets.  An arm full of firewood may be the standard way to transport firewood, but there are better ways to get it done.

I certainly got tired of all the back breaking work and started looking for the best ways to haul around firewood.  Whether you are trying to load wood in your truck or simply carrying a bundle of firewood into your home to burn, I will show you the easiest tricks and best tools that won’t let you down.

Best way to carry a small bundle of firewood

For most of us, the daily chore of hauling firewood into the house is a labor of love.  After all, a toasty warm home is worth it, right?  Of course it is.  But there is a better way to carry messy split logs into your home other than one armful at a time.

The best way to haul a small bundle of firewood from the wood stack to the fire is with a log carrier.  Essentially a wide canvas strap with handles, log carriers allow you to move much more than you could with just your arms.  Not to mention, log carriers leave less mess behind as well.

To take it a step further, two log carriers are way better than one.  A single log carrier brimming with split logs is heavy and puts a lot of torque on your body’s core.  Instead, haul two equally packed carriers (one for each hand) to even out the load.

If you only want one log carrier, opt for one with a shoulder strap.  That lets you heft a few more logs without a whole lot of added effort.

3 Best wood carriers you can buy today

Firewood carriers are a must for any home owner that relies on wood heat.  Some are no-frill carriers designed for rugged utility and others are quite stylish and look good next to the hearth.  Here are 3 of the best firewood carriers that are actually worth buying.

1.  Inno Stage Canvas Wood Tote

This wood carrier is top seller for a reason.  Its super durable construction allows it to handle a large load of logs.  Comfortable handles relieve pressure points and the durable, water resistant canvas will last for years.  Fancier wood carriers exist but the Info Stage Canvas Wood Tote has cornered the market on functionality.  It’s my go-to wood carrier and at $25, it’s a heck of a deal.  

2.  Amagabeli Canvas Firewood Carrier 

Yet another top seller, the Amagabeli wood carrier has earned its place.  Whether you’re out camping or carrying wood into your home, this is a wood tote worth having.  With its ergonomic handles, a handsome waxed canvas body and a thoughtful D-ring clasp to hold it all together, Amagabeli got it right with this wood carrier.  Not to mention, at only $18, this is proof that form and function can be had without spending a small fortune.   

3.  MyFirePlaceDirect Log Carrier

Remember how I mentioned the advantage of a shoulder strap on a log carrier?  Well, the MyFirePlaceDirect Log Carrier has one and boy is it much appreciated.  Carrying other wood totes by the handles gets tiring and the added shoulder strap provides relief.  This is a no-frills bag but it does the job while boasting rugged quality and a fully enclosed design to keep messes in the bag and out of your house.  At $26, it is still reasonably priced and worth every penny.

How to carry firewood with a rope

Don’t want to buy a log carrier?  Well, there is a solution for that.  You can fashion your very own log carrier with nothing more than a length of rope and a couple dowels.  Take a look at this video by BuzzFeed Nifty for a simple guide to making your own log carrier.  It’s cheap and effective, so try it out.  

How to easily move lots of firewood

At some point in time, you’ll likely end up moving large quantities of firewood at once.  Whether it’s stacking a newly delivered cord or rotating seasoned wood, the most obvious way to move it is by hand.  However, your back muscles might not be the best tool for the job.  

When most people ask what’s the best way to move a lot of firewood, they probably mean what is the fastest and easiest way.  Your own muscles can certainly do the job but let’s consider some alternatives that work even better.

Wheelbarrow

Wheelbarrows have long be a staple tool for homeowners and they can haul way more than firewood.  You probably have one, so that is one good choice for moving a fair bit of wood around your property.  

Be aware, it’s easy to overload wheelbarrows.  They quickly get top heavy and take some strength to stay balanced.  For that reason, a two wheeled wheelbarrow like the True Temper from Ace Hardware is far superior to the single wheeled variety.

Wagon

A wagon doesn’t suffer the same short comings like wheelbarrows when it comes to hauling firewood.  However, many wagons lack the strength to handle the abuse of hauling lots of firewood.  Cheap wagons have weak axels and tend to fail when making turns.  

If you opt for a wagon, choose a heaving duty one.  Gorilla Carts, in my opinion, are the best money can buy.  They are rated for absolutely massive loads and I have pushed them to the limits without fail.  A Gorilla Dump Cart is also an option.  Plus, you can get them at most hardware stores like Ace, Lowes and Home Depot.  Amazon sells them as well.

Log Cart 

Anyone who uses a moving dolly to transport heavy stuff will appreciate the utility of a log cart.  These are awesome for hauling lots of firewood and are even better for use around outdoor fire pits.  You can load them up nice and neat and park them near the fire pit.  Super functional for anyone with limited space as well.  The 1900 Earth Worth Log Cart from Amazon is among the best.

Utility Sled

Most fireplaces get a good workout during winter months and hauling wood through snow with a wagon, cart or wheelbarrow is all but impossible.  Enter the sled.  These are by far the most under appreciated firewood movers ever invented.  A durable sled like the Shappell Jet Sled, which you can find on Amazon, is a life saver for winter wood hauling chores.

Garden Tractor and Trailer

For those with large properties where a garden tractor is necessary, you have the best wood hauling tool of all.  Attach a small trailer and you can move firewood all day without even breaking a sweat.  Many trailers have a dump feature that makes life even easier.  Ohio Steel makes a stellar dump cart with enough rigidity to handle large loads of firewood.  For the money, it’s tough to beat but Gorilla carts also work as trailers too.

How to haul firewood out of the woods

Some of us like to source our own firewood right out of the woods.  Inevitably, that entails some seriously hard work.  Whether it is National Forest Land or State Land, hauling firewood out of the woods with the smallest effort possible takes the right tools.

Some forest lands have nicely marked piles of cuttable firewood already dragged onto gravel road landings.  Just drive your truck up to it and start cutting.  However, that is the best case scenario.  More likely, you’ll end up finding downed timber a ways off the road.  

There are a few ways to make this hauling job easier.  

1:  Winch it up to the road.  If you have winch and the know how, you can drag timber right up to the road before you start cutting.  Use caution though.  Winching large logs is dangerous.

2:  Use an ATV with a trailer.  In some forest lands, it might be legal to drive your ATV out into the woods.  You can cut logs in place then transport the rounds back to your truck with your ATV.  Always check land regulations and any cutting restrictions on your firewood permit.

3:  Try a utility sled.  Sleds aren’t just for snow.  Forest ground is almost always soft and uneven.  Your truck is more than likely going to end up stuck if you drive it off the road but a sled can glide right over most terrain.  It might take you a few more trips but when an ATV isn’t available to haul firewood out of the woods, a sled will save the day.

How not to haul firewood out of the woods

Cutting firewood on forest land requires a bit more preparation and skill than cutting up a few trees on your own land.  Among the biggest mistakes novice wood cutters make when hauling firewood out of the woods is getting their truck stuck.

Never drive your truck into the woods off-road unless you are absolutely sure you won’t get stuck.  Especially, without a winch.  It is far better to haul wood from where you cut it to a spot on the road than risk getting stranded.  

Also, keep in mind that driving off-road isn’t legal on some forest lands.  Areas with wood cutting permits usually have set locations and restrictions that dictate where and how you can gather firewood.  

Conclusion

If you want to burn fires, there really is no way around the fact that at some point you’ll need to haul some firewood.  Yet, that doesn’t mean it needs to be any harder than necessary.  Try out some of my tricks and check out the recommended log carriers.  Your back will thank you.

The post Best Way To Haul Firewood: Tricks That Won’t Let You Down appeared first on Cut Stack Burn.

Most of us probably have an intuitive grasp of that fact but I still get asked all the time if firewood can legally be transported across state lines.  Or even within a single state.

Transporting firewood across state lines is generally illegal.  Federal and state laws prohibit the movement of personally sourced wood to prevent the spread of invasive pests.  The only firewood safe to move is pre-packaged wood that has been heat treated to remove these pests.  Look for an USDA APHIS or State Department heat treatment seal indicating safe wood.  

You probably still have some questions just like I did.  After all, I think my firewood is pretty clean and free of pests.  But there is much more to it than that.  Keep reading and we’ll find out together.

Is transporting firewood illegal in all states

Invasive pests that destroy ecosystems are a big deal just about everywhere.  As a result, moving firewood is illegal in almost all states.  But it’s not just illegal to transport firewood across state lines.  Some states even prohibit the movement of firewood from one county to another.  

Even states that don’t outright ban firewood transport strongly encourage you to avoid traveling long distances or across state lines.  Plus, neighboring states are likely to have laws prohibiting firewood transport across their borders.  

In addition, national forests, state parks, national parks and even individual municipalities have their own rules regarding the movement of firewood.  In the unlikely event that these rules are less restrictive, state and federal laws need to be followed.

For anyone thinking of crossing the US-Canadian border with firewood, think again.  Regardless of which way you travel across the border, brining along firewood is always prohibited.  I wouldn’t even risk crossing the border with certified pest free wood.  Save the hassle of inspections and purchase firewood at your destination instead.

How far can you transport firewood

We have established that transporting firewood across state lines is illegal and that even moving wood from certain counties within a state is illegal.  But surely you can transport firewood some distance, right?

It makes sense that some movement of firewood has to happen.  After all, not everyone has their own forest by their home to supply a steady flow of wood for years and years.  At some point, you’ll end up needing a permit to cut firewood on state land or in a national forest that isn’t so close to home.

So how far can you transport wood?  Unfortunately, there is no exact answer.  

In general, state and federal authorities suggest that you limit firewood transport to less than 50 miles.  Moving firewood less than 10 miles is the suggested best practice.

However, you may live on the edge of a county line that restricts the transport of firewood from neighboring counties.  In that case, even moving wood a mile or two could prove problematic.  

In either case, always source your firewood as close to home as possible.  Sometimes you can’t help but get your wood a little further from home.  Just bear in mind that there are laws to follow.  Even if you won’t likely get in trouble, you can still cause irreparable harm to your local woods.  

Why transporting firewood is dangerous

It’s hard to imagine that a few stray bugs hitching a ride on a piece of firewood could really do much harm.  Yet, there are some truly devastating pests that wreak havoc on vast tracts of forested land.  Not only does it cause harm to entire ecosystems and trees, it also takes a toll on local economies that rely on forest resources.

Among the most damaging pests are emerald ash borers, spotted lantern flies, spongy moths and the asian longhorned beetle.  Combined, these insects have the ability to infest dozens of species of trees.

Unfortunately, damage from these pests is irreversible and completely exterminating invasive insects once they spread is impossible.  If that’s not bad enough, it only takes one piece of firewood to kick start a full blown infestation.  

Even if your firewood looks clean and doesn’t have any bugs, it’s not safe to move.  Boring insects are well hidden from sight and most bugs deposit tiny eggs invisible to the naked eye.  On top of that, there are other infestations caused by microscopic mold.  There is no way for you to confirm that your firewood is pest free so burn it where you cut it.

Can you bring your own firewood to campgrounds

Who doesn’t like a fire while out camping.  Spending an evening with family and friends by the warm glow of a fire makes for some cherished memories.  And let’s not forget the joys of making S’mores.  

Yet, that crackling fire seems a lot less cozy once you realize that you might be harming the very woods you love to camp in.  Bringing your own firewood to a campground seems innocent enough but as we already found out, transporting firewood even a short distance spreads harmful pests.

That’s why most campgrounds prohibit the use of personally sourced firewood.  At most campgrounds today, you are required to either purchase firewood at the campground or bring wood that has been certified as heat treated and free of invasive pests.  

Transporting your own firewood to a campground that prohibits it may result in fines.  If you are in doubt, error on the side of caution and only purchase certified firewood or pickup a few bundles of wood from the campground host.  

In addition, leave behind any unburnt wood.  It’s just as bad to transport firewood to your home that you purchased at the campground.  And certainly don’t take left over firewood to another campground if you’re continuing on a road trip.

Always remember to buy it where you burn it!

Where can I learn more about moving firewood

All the issues involving the transportation of firewood creates a complex problem which is challenging for average people like you and me to sort through the legal regulations.  Luckily, there are some good resources for finding out more information.  Ultimately, the responsibility lies with all of us.  Let’s do our part and follow best practices.

• DontMoveFirewood.org is the best source of information on all things related to transporting firewood and invasive pest resources.  Explore the site but definitely check out their “Firewood Map” which lists transport regulations for all 50 states and Canadian Territories.  

• FirewoodScout.org is an awesome resource for finding local firewood.  Whether you need firewood for home heating or want to find places to buy firewood around distant campgrounds, this is the website to use.  

For those of you heading out on a camping road trip, you’ll also want to check out the websites for campgrounds you plan to visit.  Each location may have their own rules regarding firewood and where to buy it.

Can you transport 2x4s as firewood

Most dimensional lumber like a 2×4 is kiln dried and fairly clean which makes it a much better choice for transporting than regular firewood.  However, many campground still prohibit campers from burning construction material like lumber.  There is a general concern for staff safety since some lumber may have nails or screws embedded in the wood.  

Keep in mind that even lumber stored outside for long periods of time can become infested with insects.  Bottom line?  Using clean lumber for camping trips is certainly a safer option but you still need to exercise caution and check park regulations before doing so.  

Where can you buy heat treated wood

By now you should realize it is far easier and better to source your firewood locally and avoid transporting it all together.  Yet, there are times when you want to have some firewood for your next camping trip.  Where do you get safe-to-transport wood? 

Remember, the safest wood to transport is certified heat treated wood.  There should be a state or federal heat treating seal of certification stamped on the packaging.  Anything without a certification seal is assumed to be unsafe for transport.

Many big box stores stock individually packaged firewood bundles that are heat treated and legal to transport across state lines.  Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes and many grocery stores carry heat treated firewood.

It’s important to note that kiln dried firewood is not the same thing as heat treated firewood.  Kiln dried wood is not always certified as pest free and is therefore not legal to transport beyond the local area.  Only certified heat treated firewood is pest free.  

Final thoughts

The dangers of firewood is real but there is a lot you can do to mitigate the risks.  Always remember that transporting firewood more than 50 miles poses a serious risk to natural resources.  It’s illegal in just about every state and could end up strapping you with some stiff fines.  So heed the following advice.

• Only buy local firewood
• Cut firewood close to home (less than 50 miles)
• Buy only certified heat treated firewood for traveling
• Practice “Buy It Where You Burn It” all the time

The post Can You Take Firewood Across State Lines appeared first on Cut Stack Burn.

Luckily, that doesn’t need to be the case.  You shouldn’t have to sacrifice warmth by the fire to avoid bugs in the house.  There are several effective ways to limit who you invite into your home and firewood pest are solidly on the “do not admit” list.  

Rid your firewood pile of pests with these 9 foolproof tactics that won’t let you down.

#1:  Keep your firewood off the ground

Nothing says “make yourself at home” to bugs like firewood stacked right on the ground.  Anytime wood is in contact with dirt, you are essentially giving unwanted pests easy access to their favorite food and nesting areas.  

Setup a better defense by elevating firewood off the ground.  Even stacking wood on top of a couple 2x4s is a big help.  However, racks specifically designed for holding firewood are the best solution.  Racks provide several inches of clearance between the ground and the wood.  That’s well out of reach for most pests.

#2:  Protect firewood from moisture

Moisture is enemy number one for any firewood stack.  A wet pile of wood starts to mold and rot which is like ringing a dinner bell for a whole host of wood eating insects.  If you are keeping your wood off the ground, then the battle is half won.  Now, just toss a waterproof cover over it to protect it from rain and snow.  Dry firewood is an unappetizing meal for most bugs.   

Be sure to avoid covering your firewood completely to the ground.  You still need some air to circulate through the stack.  For a stand alone stack of wood, covering the top third is sufficient to keep damaging amounts of moisture at bay.  A lean-to cover or wood shed is even better.

#3:  Stack firewood away from trees

Birds are not the only creatures that dwell in trees.  Plenty of insects find food and shelter among the limbs and roots.  Which means that stacking firewood in close proximity to trees is a bad idea.  It might be alright for temporary storage (less than a year) but eventually pests will find your stack of wood and move on in.  

Plus, leaves and other tree debris will pile up on your firewood creating an even more inviting home for bugs.  Insects invading your firewood from nearby trees is not the only concern either.  It works the other way around too.  If you source firewood from an outside location, you may inadvertently introduce damaging insects that hitched a ride into your own trees and landscaping.  

Just play it safe and keep your firewood at least 20 feet from the base of any trees.

#4:  Store firewood in a sunny location

We could all use a little sunshine and your firewood is no different.  The power of sunshine against pests in firewood is two fold.  It keeps moisture at bay and bombards insect larvae and eggs with a lethal dose of UV radiation.  

Before picking a place to stack firewood, make sure it’s a sunny location.  Not only will your wood season faster (if it’s green), it will also host fewer insects.  And pests that do find their way into your wood stack will find sun drenched wood less than hospitable.   

#5:  Remove debris before stacking firewood

No matter how you do it, cutting and splitting firewood is messy business.  But that doesn’t means stacking has to be messy too.  A fair bit of dirt, sawdust, bark chunks and plant debris will find its way onto your firewood at some point in the process.  Leaving all that junk attached during the stacking phase creates a couple problems.

First, all that debris settles down to the bottom of your wood pile, trapping moisture and encouraging ants, termites and spiders into finding a home.  In addition, a lot of that messy debris ends up in your home.  

Avoid that problem by removing as much excess debris as possible before stacking fresh cut firewood.  Sweep away dirt and loose bark with a hand broom or bang two pieces together before tossing them on the stack. 

#6:  Follow first-in-first-out burning

The basic idea of first-in-first-out is to burn the oldest firewood first.  Doing so prevents infestations from building up.  Wood that sits in one place too long is a safe harbor for pests.  Occasional reshuffling might be needed to keep a first-in-first-out rotation going but it’s worth the work.  Alternatively, try having several separate piles arranged from old to new.  Then, pull wood from the oldest pile first.  

#7:  Separate green and seasoned wood

Avoid adding fresh cut firewood to a stack of already seasoned wood.  Not only does it make it more likely that you’ll burn wet wood, you are also adding new bugs and more debris into your clean stack.  Anytime you cut up or bring home green firewood, there is a risk of introducing more pests into your yard.  It’s a good idea to stack new green wood in an isolated pile to season.   

#8:  Use a leaf blower on your wood pile

I know it sounds silly but taking a leaf blower to your wood piles provides a pretty good defense against pests trying to take up residence.  You certainly don’t need to buy a leaf blower just to clean your firewood.  However, if you have one and you are blowing leaves off the back patio, make a pass over your firewood.  Blasting away months worth of debris and dust does wonders to keep pests out.   

#9:  Create an insect repelling barrier

Sometimes nothing you do will keep bugs off your firewood.  Luckily, there is one last thing to try.  Create an insect repelling barrier around your firewood.  Just to be clear, you are not spraying firewood directly with insecticide (I’ll talk about why that’s a bad idea later).  Instead, you are applying insect repellent around the base of your firewood pile to keep bugs at bay.  

While I have yet to try this, several of my friends say it works wonders.  At the top of the recommendation list is Ortho Home Defense Insect Granules.  Simply sprinkle the granules around the base of your wood stack and you’re good to go for several months.    

How not to keep out pests

When firewood pests seem impossible to get rid of, you may be tempted to take drastic measures.  However, there are a few things you should never do to eliminate bugs or rodents from firewood.  Let’s see what they are. 

Chemical insecticide spray

If you thought spraying insecticides directly onto firewood seems like the most reasonable way to ensure complete pest eradication, you aren’t alone.  While I won’t deny that it probably is effective, you should never do it.

Burning chemically treated wood in your home poses some serious health risks.  Even if you spayed the wood months ago, many of the chemicals present in insecticides linger much longer than that.  Who knows what fumes might be created once it goes into the fire.         

Never store wood indoors

Maybe you could just store some firewood in your garage or next to the fireplace to avoid bugs?  Not so fast.  No matter how hard you try to remove insects from your firewood, there will be some that hide in the nooks and crannies.  Bringing them into your home won’t make them go away.  In fact, your warm home is an ideal environment   for promoting an infestation.  

Don’t believe me?  Check out my blog post about why storing firewood indoors is a bad idea.

Don’t stack wood against your house

Having a stack of firewood tucked under the eve right outside your back door is very convenient on a nasty winter day.  But you may get more than you bargain for.  As you are well aware, firewood is a magnet for insects and rodents.  Even if you follow all my tips, there is still a chance pests will find refuge in your firewood.  As a result, that stack of wood against the house ends up being the perfect gateway for pests to invade your home.  Always keep firewood stacked at least 20 feet from your home or garage.

Wrapping it up

Nobody likes bugs or rodents in their firewood but it is a fact of life.  While you won’t be able to completely eliminate pests, you can keep most of them at bay by following the tips I just shared.  

Want to further refine your wood stacking skills?  Need to find the ideal firewood rack for cleaner storage?  Be sure to check out my complete wood stacking guide.  It’s the most comprehensive guide out there and contains all the best tips from experienced firewood hoarders!

The post 9 Foolproof Ways To Keep Pests Out Of Your Firewood appeared first on Cut Stack Burn.

In fact, you may have firewood that is several years old or even older.  Or maybe you have a neglected stack of wood behind the shed that has seen better days and you want to know if it can be salvaged.  Either way, it’s a fair question to ask.  Does firewood ever go bad?

Assuming your firewood is stored off the ground and protected from moisture, it will take many years for it to go bad.  However, depending on the type of wood, all firewood degrades in quality and produce less usable heat after 10+ years of storage.  Regardless of how it’s stored mold, sunlight and insects will eventually cause firewood to decay. 

However, there is more to it than that.  An inquisitive person like you probably wants to have all the facts needed to recognize bad firewood and how to make it last longer.  Keep reading and together we’ll find the answers.

Can firewood be too old to burn

Not all firewood is suitable to burn but age alone has little to do with it.  Dry, 30 year old wood will certainly burn just like dry firewood seasoned for only 2 years.  You start running into problems if old wood is also rotting or decaying due to moisture.

Firewood is never too old to burn assuming it is dry and still solid throughout.  However, firewood that’s been laying around for 10 or more years away from moisture is probably extremely dry.  It will therefore burn hot and fast which leads to heat loss up the chimney.  Firewood heats most efficiently with a moisture content between 15-20%. 

Even so, I would not hesitate to burn it.  I know people who have heated their homes using old barn wood that has been around for over 50 years.  It was still dry and solid so it burned quite well.  Don’t expect a long burn time from overly seasoned wood though.  Really dry, older wood is best saved for shorter burns during warmer fall or spring months.

If your old firewood falls apart at the slightest touch or feels soft and spongy, it’s not good for burning.  At this point, it is beyond salvaging and needs to be tossed.  Bugs and moisture are likely to blame. 

How long can firewood be stored outside

Most of us stack all our long-term firewood outside where it’s exposed to the elements.  Everything from rain, bugs and sunlight have the power to hasten the deterioration of wood.  And that means wood has a shelf life when stored outside.  But how long can you actually store firewood outside before it is useless to burn?

First off, all firewood you intend to burn needs to be stored off the ground and protected from moisture.  At least if you want it to last.  

With your firewood stored protected from moisture and off the ground outside, it will last at least 5-10 years before it starts degrading in quality.  While it won’t necessarily ever rot or mold, sunlight eventually breaks down the cellulose fibers in wood and bugs may invade your wood stack.

If you can manage to keep your firewood dry, shaded from sun and free of all insects, then it could easily last for well over 10 years outside.  More than likely you’ll burn it before it ever gets that old.

How can you tell if firewood is bad

Now that you know how long firewood lasts under optimal conditions, you might be wondering how to tell if your firewood is past its prime for burning.  Luckily, identifying sub-par firewood is not difficult.  

Generally, bad firewood is either rotten, moldy or punky.  You can tell if your firewood has any of these conditions by how it looks and feels.  Rotten or moldy wood is often damp so it will be spongy feeling and relatively heavy.  In extreme cases, rotten wood breaks apart very easily and the bark separates readily from the wood.  

When rotten or moldy wood is dry, it has a light hollow feel like cork.  Bad firewood can also be punky on the inside which is caused by a fungal infection in the wood.  It will crumble easily just by using your hands.  

Sometimes your firewood might look decent but is actually no good inside the core.  You won’t be able to tell by looking at the outside.  Instead, if you suspect a batch of firewood is bad, take two pieces and knock them together.  Good firewood that is well seasoned and ready to burn makes a sharp rap when banged together.  Bad wood makes a dull thud.

Is it ok to burn rotten or moldy wood

At some point, everyone who burns wood for heat will come across a bad stack of wood.  Maybe you just have a small rack of moldy or rotten wood.  You might be tempted to burn it up to get rid of it but I would hold off if I were you.   

Burning rotten or moldy wood does not pose an immediate problem but in the long run it can lead to smoke damage and creosote build-up.  Rotten or moldy wood, especially when damp, does not burn completely so it smokes heavily.  

Every time you open the woodstove door you’ll likely get a big plume of smoke rolling out the front.  This lower temperature burn, with the added moisture, also adds a fair bit of creosote to your chimney or stove pipe.  All that creosote needs to be cleaned out regularly to prevent chimney fires.  

Overall, burning bad wood is not smart.  Sure, a bad log here and there is not the end of the world.  Just burn clean, dry firewood and you’ll be better off.

Old firewood that is bad isn’t the only thing you shouldn’t burn.  Find out what other types of wood should never be burned in this popular article.

How to make firewood last for years

Fortunately, keeping your firewood in tip top shape for heating your home is simple.  After all, it takes some serious neglect for a stack of firewood to go completely bad.  And why let that happen when you put so much time and energy into cutting and stacking it?  With just a few basic steps you can ensure your firewood will last nearly forever.

Step 1: 

Stack your firewood off the ground.  Always use something to separate the wood from direct contact with the ground.  Among the most likely reasons for firewood going bad is insect infestations.  If bugs like termites or carpenter ants can gain easy access to your wood, they will do a ton of damage.  Contact with the ground also keeps that bottom row of wood wet.

Use 2×4 lumber, paving stones, pallets or even a metal firewood rack to stack your wood on.  It will last much longer and you’ll have fewer pest entering your home too.  

Want to know the best way for stacking firewood?  Take a look at my complete guide to stacking fire wood! 

Step 2:

Cover firewood to keep it dry.  Once you have your firewood stacked neatly off the ground, you need to protect it from rain.  Even if your wood is already seasoned, you still need to keep it covered.  Otherwise, you allow it to reabsorb moisture to a level above the recommended 20% that’s ideal for burning.

I can’t tell you how many piles of wood I see laying around uncovered.  All that effort of gathering the wood is wasted and within a short time it will begin to rot.  Just put a cover over it.  It doesn’t need to be fancy either.  A piece of visqueen sheeting or a tarp is fine.  For those who prefer a more aesthetically pleasing wood cover, build a basic wood shed or lean-to cover.  

Remember, you don’t want to cover the whole stack all the way to the ground.  There needs to be enough air circulation to let any moisture that does accumulate escape.

Step 3:

Organize your firewood stacks and burn on a rotation.  So far, ensuring your firewood lasts as long as possible without going bad is not complicated.  The final step involves rotating your supply of firewood.  If you have more than a few cords of wood, keeping track of which stack is seasoned versus which stack is fresh cut and green might get tricky.  

Try to organize your wood to make sure you don’t ignore one of the piles for several years.  It’s best to burn wood within 1 to 2 years after seasoning is complete.  This way you get the most amount of heat from it during its prime.  Having an organized system allows for easy wood rotation and usage.

Definitely avoid mixing green wood with seasoned wood and never stack wood somewhere you are going to forget about it. 

Parting words

In the end, most firewood that is dry will burn.  Only wet and rotten wood will ever go bad.  Learn to stack your wood properly and you won’t have a problem.  If you do find yourself stuck with a bad batch of firewood, please don’t burn it in your home.  Either throw it out or use it up in the outdoor fire pit. 

Not sure if your firewood is fully seasoned?  Check out my must-read guide on how to tell if your firewood is ready to burn before you go!

The post Does Firewood Go Bad: What To Know Before You Burn appeared first on Cut Stack Burn.

My in-laws liked that same idea and that’s why they have a dedicated alcove just for storing firewood indoors.  

However, it didn’t take me long to realize that bringing firewood into the house invites more guests in than you might want.  I’m talking about the small crawling and flying guests here… insects.  

So, can you really store firewood inside your home or garage?  Firewood should never be stored in your home or garage.  Insects like termites, ants, spiders and even dormant wasps often inhabit dried wood.  These uninvited guests are a nuisance and can cause damage to your home or harm you and your family members.  Indoor wood piles also attract rodents when stored for long periods.

In other words, keep the firewood outside.  But, like everything else in life, one answer won’t suit everyone.  That’s why you should stick around and I’ll show you ways to keep firewood handy without the hassle of pests.

How do you store firewood inside

Nobody wants to run outside into the cold every time a log needs to be added to the fire.  Hence, the idea of storing some firewood in the house.  But as I said earlier, storing firewood inside has some unintended consequences.  

Improperly stored firewood makes the perfect home for a whole host of insect species.  Among the most damaging are termites and carpenter ants.  In most cases, insects brought into your home on firewood are just a nuisance.  Major infestations are rare but still a possibility and something you should avoid.  

While the best practice is to simply avoid storing any wood in your home, most of us still need to have a convenient supply ready to stoke the fire.  Luckily, there are a few things you can do to limit an insect invasion and have enough firewood in the house to keep warm for the day. 

Here are the steps you should take if you plan on keeping some firewood indoors.

• Only bring properly stored, dry firewood into your home.  Wet wood that has been laying in direct contact with the ground is more prone to insect infestations.  Clean, dry wood that is locally sourced will give you fewer problems.

• Inspect your wood and remove surface pests by brushing away debris or knock a couple pieces together to shake off stubborn bugs.

• Limit the amount of fire wood you bring in the house.  Enough for 1 or 2 days of burning, max.  It doesn’t take long for burrowing insects to emerge from logs so don’t bring in more than what you can burn in a short amount of time.

• Keep a vacuum handy.  If you see bugs creeping around firewood in your house, suck them up right away.  A small dust buster is perfect for this task.  You can even put the kids on guard duty while everyone enjoys the fire.

• Don’t spray your firewood with chemical insect repellents.  This can release harmful fumes when burned.

• Use a small wood or metal rack to keep wood off your floor.  Keep it away from the walls.  Better yet, store the wood in a solid box or bin to help contain any insects that do emerge or fall off.  They won’t immediately start crawling across the floor.

• Do not store wood inside when you are not using your fireplace.

Can I store firewood in the garage

A garage seems like a reasonable place to stack a row or two of firewood.  After all, it’s dry and easy to access during the winter.  Yet, the same problem still persists.  Insects can still make their way into your home or infest the structure of your garage.  Plus, rodents are more likely to gain access to your garage and seek shelter in the pile of wood you have stored there.  Now they are one step closer to entering your home.  

Just like I said before, if you really must bring wood into your house or garage, limit the amount to what you can burn in a 24-48 hour period.  

What if you have a detached garage?  Honestly, the same rules apply.  Storing any firewood indoors invites pests to take up residence and wreck havoc on the structure of your building.  Sure, insects won’t have a direct route into your home from a detached garage.  However, there is still plenty of expensive damage that can be done in a separate garage.  

Whether it’s ants making a home in the walls or rodents chewing up other items stored there, a wood pile in a garage is still a potential source of headaches for any home owner.

Do yourself a favor and keep the wood outside, away from your house and garage.

What about storing wood next to the house

Now that we dispelled any notion of storing a large amount of wood inside your home or garage, let’s tackle the issue of storing wood next to your house.

Done incorrectly, storing wood next to your house can prove just as disastrous.  Certainly, pest infested wood against the outside of your house might not result in crawling things invading your living room.  But a wood pile against your house is still very likely to cause major damage in the long run to your home’s structure.

This is especially true if the wood next to your house is damp and/or in direct contact with the ground.  Both carpenter ants and termites love burrowing into wet, spongy firewood to build their nests, reproduce and feed.  By placing a suitable termite or ant habitat in close proximity to your own abode, you essentially give these pesky fellows free license to feast among your siding, foundations and walls.  

Damp wood placed directly against your siding also prevents adequate air flow which can lead to mildew and molding.  And if not caught in a timely manner, can lead to major structural damage. 

Any firewood you are storing next to your house needs to be a minimum of 5 feet away.  Some pest control experts even recommend 20 feet of clearance between your firewood pile and any structures to avoid infestations. 

In addition, you can greatly reduce the number of insects by stacking wood off the ground and protect it from rain.  Try using 2×4 lumber as a wood stacking platform and use quality tarps or heavy visqueen sheeting to cover the top of your wood pile.  Just don’t completely cover your wood stack all the way to the ground.  Some air flow is essential to let the wood breathe and properly dry.

Is it okay to store firewood in a shed

No firewood in the house, in the garage or within 5 feet of the outside of the house…  so where is a good place to store and cure firewood?  

One of the best places to store firewood is in a woodshed.  As long as it has an open design for optimal breathability, a shed is a great spot to keep your bounty of wood.  

Keep in mind that storing unseasoned wood in a fully enclosed shed will hinder the curing process and probably increase the likelihood that insects and rodents will move in.  Let firewood season for at least 6 months in a covered and well ventilated area until completely dry.  

Fully dried wood that is elevated off the ground can be stored completely covered or in an enclosed shed.  

How to store firewood to avoid termites

Among the most bothersome pests for collectors of firewood are termites.  They are mostly harmless unless you store your firewood in such a way that makes your home vulnerable to them.  

Termites feed on wood but their main nesting colonies, along with the queen, are actually buried beneath the soil.  It’s the worker termites that make their way into your firewood.  With that said, bringing in a few hitchhikers on your firewood probably won’t start an infestation in your home since the queen was left behind.  All the same, I’m sure you would rather not have any uninvited guests inside.

The best defense against termites is prevention.  Wet firewood laying on the ground creates a homey balance of food, shelter and water.  By storing firewood properly, you’ll discourage termite colonies from taking up residence in the first place.  

Start by keeping your firewood elevated off the ground and out of contact with soil.  Either use a rack designed for stacking firewood, concrete pavers or as a last resort, wood planking.  The goal is to not have your firewood in contact with any dirt.

The next step is to keep your wood dry.  Cover it with a tarp or store it in a woodshed.  Wet wood is edible wood for hungry termites.

If some of your firewood is already infested, dispose of it and properly stack the remaining wood as described above.  Resist the urge to chemically treat termite infested wood.  Especially, if you plan to burn it indoors.  

Parting words

There is something cozy about a stack of wood piled next to the fire.  Yet as you now know, you aren’t the only one getting cozy next to the fire.  Insects can be a major problem once inside your house.  Don’t give them an invitation by storing firewood indoors.  

Hopefully, you have found this guide helpful and are now more likely to find a better place to store your firewood. 

The post Everything You Need To Know About Storing Firewood Indoors appeared first on Cut Stack Burn.