Firewood Storage Tips for Cabin Owners and Property Managers
Bad storage turns good wood into bad wood faster than most people realize. The four rules, plus bulk buying tips for property managers who want to stop thinking about it.
If you own or manage a cabin in the Hocking Hills, you've already figured out that guests expect firewood to be available. What's less obvious is how to store it so that the wood they find is actually worth burning — dry, pest-free, and ready to light.
Bad storage turns good wood into bad wood faster than most people realize. Here's how to do it right.
The four rules of firewood storage
Off the ground
Wood sitting directly on soil absorbs moisture from the ground, promotes rot on the bottom layer, and invites insects. Stack firewood on a rack, on pallets, or on a row of landscape timbers — anything that creates at least three to four inches of clearance between the bottom of the stack and the dirt. This single step eliminates most storage problems.
Covered on top, open on the sides
Rain is the enemy of seasoned wood. A tarp, a metal roof, or a simple lean-to shelter over the top of the stack keeps rain and snow off. But the sides should stay open — airflow is what keeps the wood dry and prevents mold. A fully enclosed shed or a tarp that wraps all the way to the ground traps moisture and creates a humid environment where mold thrives.
Away from the cabin
Stack firewood at least 20 feet from any building. Wood stacks attract insects — carpenter ants, termites, spiders, and the occasional mouse. These are fine in a woodpile; they're not fine when the woodpile is against the wall of a cabin and they migrate indoors. A 20-foot buffer gives you the convenience of nearby wood without the pest risk.
Oldest wood in front
First in, first out. When you add new wood to your stack, put it in the back and pull from the front. This ensures guests are always getting the driest, most seasoned wood. It also prevents the back of the stack from sitting for years and decomposing.
How much to keep on hand
For a cabin that rents year-round, the math depends on your booking rate and the season. In fall and winter — peak fire season — a well-booked cabin can burn through a face cord every two to three weekends. A full cord lasts most owners about six to eight weeks during the busy season.
In summer, usage drops dramatically. Many guests don't have fires at all when it's hot, or they burn a few pieces for ambiance and call it a night. A face cord can last a month or more.
The sweet spot for most single-cabin owners is to keep one to two full cords on hand going into October, and restock as needed through March. This avoids the scramble of trying to find seasoned wood mid-winter when every supplier is backed up.
The moisture meter
A moisture meter is a $20–$30 handheld tool that reads the water content of a piece of wood in two seconds. You press two metal pins into a freshly split surface (not the bark side — that reads inaccurately) and it gives you a percentage.
Under 20% means the wood is ready to burn. Over 25% means it needs more time. Between 20% and 25% is borderline — it'll burn, but with more smoke and less heat than properly dry wood.
If you're buying wood from a supplier, test a few pieces from the delivery before signing off on it. Honest dealers won't mind — they know their product is dry. Dealers who get nervous when you pull out a moisture meter are telling you something.
For property managers: the firewood-as-amenity approach
Some cabin owners include firewood in the rental price. Others sell it separately at a markup. Both models work, but there's a third option worth considering: partner with a local delivery service that handles everything — stocking, delivery, quality control — so you don't have to manage it yourself.
The advantage is consistency. Every guest gets properly seasoned wood without you having to maintain a supply chain, check moisture levels, or haul wood yourself. It also removes the liability of storing large amounts of wood on-site, which some insurance policies care about.
For bulk buyers: We deliver to cabins and rental properties across Rockbridge, Logan, and Sugar Grove. Recurring delivery schedules are available — we'll keep your firewood stocked so you never have to think about it. Text us to set up a standing order.
Wood that's been dried right
Under 20% moisture, locally cut, stacked and covered for months before it reaches you. Free delivery across the Hocking Hills.
Text us to order