How to Properly Stack & Store Firewood for the Best Burn (Nashville Firewood Guide)
Properly stacking and storing your firewood is one of the most important steps to getting a hotter, cleaner, and longer burn. Whether you buy seasoned firewood in Mount Juliet, Lebanon, or the Nashville area, the way you store it determines how well it performs all season long. At Music City Firewood, we provide premium seasoned hardwood, but correct storage ensures your wood stays dry, clean, and ready to burn whenever you need it.
Why Proper Firewood Stacking Matters
Good stacking improves airflow, prevents mold, and speeds up seasoning. Even fully seasoned firewood can re-absorb moisture if stored incorrectly, leading to smokier fires and harder-to-light logs. A well-stacked pile keeps your firewood clean, dry, and burning at its full potential.
Choose a Dry, Elevated Area
The best place to store firewood is:
Off the ground
In a sunny location
With plenty of airflow
Covered on top but open on the sides
Placing your firewood directly on soil traps moisture and attracts insects. Instead, use pallets, racks, or cross-rails to raise the wood at least 4–6 inches off the ground.
Stack for Maximum Airflow
The classic method is the “crisscross end stack” or “log cabin” style. This keeps the pile stable while allowing air to move through the stack. Keep the bark side facing outward to help shed rain. For long-term storage, leave a bit of space between rows so the wood can breathe and continue to dry naturally.
Only Cover the Top—Not the Sides
Many homeowners mistakenly tarp the entire stack. This traps moisture and creates the perfect environment for mold and rot. Instead, cover only the top using a:
Tarp
Metal roofing panel
Plastic cover designed for firewood
Leave the sides open so wind can pass through and keep your seasoned firewood dry.
Keep Firewood Away From Your Home
Store your firewood at least 10–20 feet away from your house. This prevents insects from migrating indoors and gives your wood space to breathe. Bring only what you need inside for the day.
Rotate Your Wood for the Best Burn
Use a simple “first in, first out” system. Burn the oldest wood first and keep newly delivered wood stacked separately. This ensures you always have fully seasoned, ready-to-burn firewood on hand.
Quality Firewood Starts With Proper Seasoning
At Music City Firewood, all of our mixed hardwood, oak, hickory, and ash are split and seasoned for a minimum of 9 months before delivery or pickup. Proper storage after delivery ensures your wood stays as premium as the day it arrived.
Firewood Delivered to Mount Juliet, Lebanon & Nashville
If you're looking for premium firewood delivered to Mount Juliet, Lebanon, or the greater Nashville area, we offer clean, consistent, well-seasoned hardwood ready for stacking, storing, and burning. With proper storage techniques, your firewood will stay dry, efficient, and fire-ready all season long.
