Snowy winters can make managing your firewood a bit more challenging, but with the right strategies, you can keep your supply dry, accessible, and ready to burn. Whether you’re dealing with heavy snowfall or freezing temperatures, these tips will help you handle firewood effectively and stay warm all winter.
1. Keep Your Wood Elevated
Stacking firewood directly on the ground during snowy winters is a recipe for damp, unusable logs. Moisture from the ground and melting snow can seep into the wood, ruining your supply. Use a firewood rack, wooden pallets, or concrete blocks to keep your stack off the ground.
2. Cover Your Firewood Properly
A good cover is essential for protecting your woodpile from snow and ice. Use a tarp or a dedicated firewood cover, but don’t wrap the pile entirely—airflow is crucial to prevent mold and rot. Cover the top and let the sides breathe to ensure proper ventilation.
3. Store Wood Near Your Home
Make life easier during heavy snowfalls by keeping a small stash of wood closer to your home, like on a covered porch or in a garage. This ensures you don’t have to trek out to the main pile whenever you need more firewood. Ensure the wood near your house is seasoned and dry to prevent pests from coming indoors.
4. Clear Snow Regularly
Don’t let the snow pile up on or around your firewood. After a snowfall, brush off snow from the top of your stack and clear the area around the base. This prevents moisture from seeping into the logs and keeps your pile accessible.
5. Use Dry Kindling for Quick Starts
Snowy winters mean colder logs, which can be harder to ignite. Keep a supply of dry kindling and fire starters on hand to make starting fires easier. Birch bark, small sticks, or DIY fire starters work great for getting your fire going, even when the weather is freezing.
6. Rotate Your Wood Supply
Always burn the oldest, most seasoned wood first. Rotating your woodpile ensures you’re using the driest logs, which burn more efficiently and produce more heat. Mark sections of your woodpile to keep track of which logs were stacked first.
7. Build a Temporary Shelter
Consider building a simple shelter over your woodpile if you expect a particularly harsh winter. A lean-to or tarp-covered frame can protect your wood from the worst weather while still allowing airflow. This extra layer of protection can be a game-changer in snowy climates.
8. Keep Tools Handy
Snowy conditions mean you’ll need tools to manage your firewood. Keep a snow shovel, brush, and gloves near your woodpile for clearing snow and handling logs. Having these tools within reach makes it easier to maintain your firewood supply without extra hassle.
9. Plan for Accessibility
Think ahead when stacking your woodpile. Leave pathways clear and stack your wood in a way that’s easy to access, even if there’s snow on the ground. A well-organized woodpile saves time and effort when the weather is at its worst.
Final Thoughts
Handling firewood during snowy winters requires a bit of extra effort, but with proper preparation, you can keep your supply dry, accessible, and ready to burn. Elevate your wood, cover it adequately, and hold tools and kindling handy to make managing your firewood as easy as possible. With these tips, you’ll stay warm and cozy no matter how much snow falls.