Should Firewood Be Covered With a Tarp?

Maintaining a supply of firewood for the entire year is a great way to ensure you have fuel for your fireplace or fire pit at all times. If you have a pile of firewood, you may be wondering if it should be covered with a tarp. 

Should Firewood Be Covered With a Tarp? 

Storing and protecting your firewood is essential if you intend to keep it outdoors, especially if you live in a wet or cold climate. As the winter months approach, storing firewood is even more of a priority to prevent it from becoming dampened or rotted. If you are looking for a solution to cover and store your firewood, you may be considering the use of a tarp.

You can cover your firewood with a tarp. However, this is not always the best solution, as it is also possible to use alternatives such as metal sheets or even sturdy wooden boards. 

How Can I Cover Firewood With a Tarp?

If the only material you have to cover your firewood is a tarp, you can use it, but only when done carefully. Avoid covering all of the firewood with a tarp, and instead, opt to only cover the very top layer of your stack of wood.

If your firewood is trapped beneath numerous layers of a tarp, it will not dry properly, which may cause the rotting process to expedite. Whenever possible, only use a tarp to cover the very top layer of your firewood if you don't have an alternative.

Why is it Bad to Cover All of My Firewood With a Tarp?

While it may be tempting to cover your entire stack of firewood with a tarp to prevent rain, snow, and water from accumulating throughout the wood itself, this is not an ideal solution. By covering all of your firewood with a tarp, you can prevent the air from getting through all of your wood pieces.

Additionally, a tarp around all of your firewood can also prevent the wood from being seasoned properly, which will diminish the quality of the firewood once you place it in your firepit or campfire.

Dampened and wet wood can also lead to mold growth as well as fungus and rotten wood, which cannot and should not be burned or used in any capacity, as various bacteria and fungi can release toxins into the air. 

It is also important to remember that by covering your firewood using any material, you are removing it from the sun. The sun is the fastest drying tool in nature, especially in warmer and dry climates. If you can leave your wood exposed on a sunny day, it is best to do this instead of using any cover, including a self-contained cover.

There is no better way to speed up the wood-drying process than to expose the firewood you intend to burn and use to direct sunlight. 

Tips for Storing Wood

When storing firewood using wooden boards, tarps, containers, metal sheets, or commercial storage sheds, keep the following tips in mind:

• Expose your stored firewood to direct sunlight and warmth as much as possible, as this will help speed the drying process.
• Avoid storing your firewood indoors, as this can prevent airflow, encourage fungus growth, and slow the drying process.
• Stack your wood properly while ensuring proper airflow is available. Stack the largest logs and pieces of firewood at the bottom of the pile.
• Inspect your wood thoroughly to ensure that none of your wood is rotted or has fungus, as this can sometimes spread to the healthy surrounding wood. 

[product=blow-through-stoker-poker-33] GRAB-POKE-STOKE! Revitalize your fire with ease and efficiency! Experience the power of the Walden Blow Through Fire Stoker Poker™ - the ultimate solution for effortless fire management. Get it now from $59 + Free US Shipping [/product]

Managing Your Fires

Once you choose the best cover for your firewood, you can also prepare to manage the type of fire you intend to create using your stored wood once it is properly dried and seasoned. 

When you want to optimize your fires by slowing the burn rate and managing the efficiency of the flame, you can do so with a legacy firepit, the stoker poker, and even firestarters. Building the perfect campfire or bonfire has never been easier with our high-quality firepits and fireside accessories. 

Understanding how to manage, store, and protect your firewood is essential whether you spend time outdoors during the warmer months of the year or live off-grid full-time. With the proper tools and resources, ensure your firewood is properly vented, stored, and as protected as possible from any rain or snowstorm you may encounter. 

Luxury Firepits - Firepit Accessories - Firepit Grates

Walden Backyards Makes the Highest Quality Fire Pits and Accessories

Legacy Firepit - Blow Through Stoker Poker - Fire Pit Grates - Accessories