I stacked my first firewood pile on the ground, against the house, and covered it with a tarp. It looked fine in October. By January, the bottom logs were rotten and the top ones were soaked. My dad took one look and said I had done basically everything backwards.

Dry firewood is the difference between a roaring fire and a smoky mess. Here is how to store it right.

Off the Ground, Always

Wood on the ground sucks up moisture from the soil and rots from the bottom up. Stack firewood on pallets, boards, or a firewood rack so air can flow underneath.

I used two cheap pallets and it made a huge difference. The bottom row stays dry now, even after rain.

Airflow Beats a Tarp

The biggest mistake people make is wrapping the whole pile in a tarp. The tarp traps moisture and the wood sweats. Cover only the top of the pile, leaving the sides open so air can move through.

Use a tarp weighted down with bricks or logs, angled so rain runs off. Leave the sides bare and the wood will dry out instead of steaming in its own jacket.

Stack It Loose, Not Tight

When you stack, do not jam the logs together. Leave small gaps between them. Loose stacking allows airflow, which is what actually dries the wood.

And a personal tip: stack the ugliest, biggest pieces at the bottom and the nice straight pieces on top. You will reach for the top ones first, and the pile stays stable.