How To Store Your Fuel
Storage is key to keeping your fuel in tiptop shape to ensure you get the best burn out of it. This may or may not be simpler then you think.
Wood
Our kiln dried firewood is ready to burn meaning the moisture content is already below 20%, they are cut down to standard size (approx 25cm in length) which will fit the majority of standard UK fireplaces.
Improper storage can lead to mould, fungus, un-burnable wood and makeshift housing for insects, animals and other pests. Whilst these steps aren’t a 100% guarantee, they are the best ways to avoid this.
The easiest way to stack wood is by using a firewood rack type of storage. This keeps the wood organised, steady and off the ground. When loading into the rack, layer the wood so that the bark is facing up, whilst avoiding straight vertical rows. Having the log all lined up vertically tends to lead to the logs toppling once a log has been removed.
The wood should be stacked loosely to allow air circulation this means that should any moisture get into the rack the logs can have air supply to dry back out again. To avoid any moisture affecting your logs it is advisable to cover the rack with a breathable waterproof material to stop rain and snow directly landing on the logs. However, it’s important not to tightly cover the logs all the time as they still need air circulation, so allow the cover to be loose if the weather is dry. If you are unable to cover the logs then having the bark facing upwards will help the moisture to roll off with the least amount being absorbed.
If you are unable to stack your logs off the floor then we would recommend stacking the logs bark side down to avoid as much moisture being absorbed from the floor should it rain or snow.
Wood stored in a bin or pile may lead to moisture retention, should it get wet being uncovered, so if this is the way you intend to store your logs then it’s advisable that you buy a cover for it. It would also be important to note that piles of logs can be an encouraging environment for animals and insects to nest in for a dry cover, particularly in the winter months. Whilst you may not be too bothered by animals and creepy crawlies the bacteria they bring in with them could cause rotting and decay to the logs.
Keep your storage area in a safe location. First of all you don’t want to store the wood anywhere near anything that could cause it to ignite. For example if you have a firepit it’s advised to store your wood far away from where the fire pit will be used. A few sparks landing on the right place in the log store could be disastrous.
Storing logs up against the side of your house may seem like a good idea as they’ll be an easy grab to bring inside, but is not the best idea. By stacking wood up against an external wall of your house, you are creating a connection between a flammable material and your home.
Make sure the wood store is away from anywhere that children or animals play, it’s not uncommon for wood to topple over when it’s been moved around a little bit or if it’s bumped.
Coal
Storing coal is fairly simple, it can be stored inside or outside. Most people choose to store coal in bulk outdoors unless they have the space inside to store it.
To store it outside there’s a few options, this can be affected by the packaging of the coal you buy. If the packing is weatherable then the coal doesn’t necessarily need to be decanted, but this is preference.
Coal bunkers can be used to store the coal in, they come in a range of sizes and are often made out of durable materials such as hard plastic or metal. The bunkers tend to have a lid making it easy for you to scoop out as much as you need and recover the remaining to keep the coal protected from the weather.
A practical DIY solution to not having a bunker would be to use a bin, again made from tough plastic with a lid means the weather won't be able to take effect on your coal easily. The only downside to this method is the cosmetic appeal, a bin might not look quite as pretty as some of the coal bunkers available on the market.
Some people choose to simply pile up their coal and cover it using a waterproof sheet which is fine and practical but just be wary as to running water and the issue with animals seen above.
Coal buckets tend to be popular in terms of storage inside the home, they are designed to allow you to store small amounts of coal close to the fireplace for convenience throughout the day. they are usually attractive looking so compliment the overall decoration of the house. Most buckets also come with a lipped edge or a small shovel making it easy for you to chuck some more coal on the fire as required.
Storage baskets again allow you to store a decent amount of coal near the fireplace for easy, convenient access. They don't typically have a lipped edge but again a small shovel can be used to scoop out coal to be put on the fire as needed.
Cellar storage tends to be popular for people who have a cellar and don't have much storage space externally, the coal is stored out of the way and is accessible.
Wood Based Briquettes
Our range of briquettes are all wood based, they therefore must be stored in dry conditions. If the briquettes get wet they will absorb the moisture, expand and become unusable.
It’s recommended for the above reason that briquettes are stored inside in either a storage bucket, net or rack. We do however appreciate some people do buy in bulk and do not have the space to store them indoors. Therefore, if you absolutely must store them outside it is important they are stored in tight covered conditions to stop any moisture getting to them.
Hopefully this guide has provided you with all the information you need to store you logs expertly. If you like to find out more information about firewood and other solid fuels, then we have a range of helpful guides and articles.