How to Stack Split Firewood

There are many benefits to stacking your firewood. Among them, it prevents the wood from rotting and getting wet which would decrease its burn time. It also makes it easier to find what you need when you’re looking for a certain type of wood or bundle size.

Stacking firewood can be done in one of two ways: horizontally or vertically.

When stacking horizontally, layering the bundles on top of each other with the bark facing outwards is recommended as this protects both ends of the split log from splitting further once stacked and also helps keep bugs away longer.

Alternatively, stacking vertically is an excellent option if there isn’t enough room for horizontal storage but still offers similar protection to horizontal stacks by keeping water off the ends.

Chainsaws are actually pretty good at cutting firewood and can do so quickly. If you want to stack your split logs in such a way as to make them easy for next winter’s fires, these tips may come in handy.

Benefits of Stacking Firewood

You see, in order for firewood to burn properly ー and it’s the most important thing when using a campfire or fireplace – you must season it. Seasoning simply means that the wood has been dried out enough so there is a low amount of moisture content left.

Properly seasoning your firewood is a crucial step if you want to have an enjoyable and efficient burn. A properly seasoned piece of wood contains about 20% moisture content, which makes it more flammable than unseasoned woods that are closer to 45%.

The best firewood is dry enough to light but not too dry that it will be extinguished in seconds.

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I’m sure you’ve had the experience of using some firewood and being disappointed when they go up in flames way before your other logs are done burning! That’s why it’s important to stack your wood the right way so that you can ensure an even seasoning process.

It must be left outside and exposed to the sun and air for it to season properly, which is why stacking your wood in an orderly manner can make all the difference when drying out this vital fuel source. It also ensures that damp pieces do not impede on drier ones by absorbing moisture from them like some kind of surreptitious sponge.

What is the best way to stack firewood?

It is important to stack firewood in an efficient manner so as not to use up too much space and time while also preserving maximum warmth.

There are two ways of stacking firewood: The Log Cabin method and the Zig-Zag method.

The Log Cabin Method stacks firewood logs vertically into a pile while the Zig Zag Method stacks firewood logs horizontally into piles.

Method 1 – Log Cabin Method

Properly stacking your firewood can create an efficient, cost-saving way of using this natural fuel source as well!

How to Stack Split Firewood

Follow these steps in order to stack the wood using the log cabin method:

  1. Choose a site with plenty of sun exposure and no long periods of shade during the day.
  2. It’s best to stack it so that cut ends are facing east or west. Doing this will allow more sunlight access while also providing protection from windy days by allowing airflow on all sides.

Place 4 – 5 pieces of firewood down side-by-side to each other. Then place 4 more on top in the perpendicular direction for a 12-row stack at least 2 feet tall or taller if possible so that you can store your long items up high and out of reach from curious hands.

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It will also keep them off the ground away from pests like mice, rats, snakes hiding beneath it.

Method 2 – Zig-Zag Method

A zig-zag firewood stack is a unique, aesthetically pleasing way to store your firewood. It’s also the perfect solution for those with limited space or who need to protect their wood against wildlife.

First, you want to find the best location for your firewood pile. Choose a spot outside of any doorways or areas that are frequented by people. You also don’t want the pile too close to any trees or structures as it may catch on fire if there is an ember from a chimney or sparks from your fireplace coming out.

Next, you need to measure out an area that is at least 4 feet wide and 6 feet long with some kind of markers like paint lines, bricks or blocks so that you know where each cut should be made.

firewood stack

This method of firewood stacking is the best way to protect your wood from water damage. It also prevents dirt and grime buildup in between logs, which can make for a less than ideal burning experience after just one winter’s worth of use.

You start with a base layer of pressure-treated wood and then build pillars (three or four parallel rows) on top. This will prevent moisture from seeping up into your woodpile. Every time an additional piece is added, the firewood stack will get taller in an alternating pattern until all your wood is stacked up nice and tall.

Then you need to take another set – you’ll need at least six pieces – and stack them vertically atop each other, repeating these steps until all levels are complete!

You’ll want a few inches of space in between each so air can flow through them individually.

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Method 3 – Holz Hausen Wood Pile

The best way to stack firewood using the Holz Hausen Firewood Stacking method is to find an area that has enough space and exposure to the sun. You want your firewood stacked in a pyramid shape so it’s easier for you, or someone else, to pull out logs from the bottom layer.

Holz Hausen Firewood Stacking

For the Holz Hausen wood stack, the firewood should be cut into lengths of 3 – 4 feet long because this will make it more manageable when stacking and less likely to fall over. It’s crucial to build the Holz Hausen stack in a sunny location so that, when it is covered by summer heat, warm air moves through the base and blows through to the top.

In three stages, the first thing to do is build a ring of split pieces facing the bark side outward. Then stack the firewood on this with each piece sloping downward and inside this cone-shaped pile place another one going upward.

No one enjoys having to deal with the aftermath of a rainy day. The worst part is when you’re left cleaning up soaked and waterlogged firewood that’s been ruined by all the rainwater it collected on its dry surface before becoming saturated through contact with other pieces stacked atop it.

This stacking technique was designed in such a way as to prevent any unwanted moisture from penetrating into your pile, which means not only less work for us but also better-quality wood after just one drying cycle!

Final Thoughts

Firewood is a great way to heat your home. However, there are many ways to stack firewood and not all of them work well. The best way depends on how you use the wood for fuel and what type of wood it is.

The article outlines three different methods for stacking wood and provides an in-depth analysis of which one might be most effective depending on what kind of space you have available or how much time it’s worth investing into a project like that.