How to store your braaiwood and firewood: the Let’s Braai Guide

Whether you want to cozy up in front of the fire, fire up for a quick mid-week braai or create the Ultimate Let’s Braai experience, properly storing your hardwood is key to ensure great flames, clean burn for that flavour and ambience we all love. We’ve put together a handy guide with recommendations and good practices. Here is how to store your braaiwood and firewood plus a few extra tips from the team at www.letsbraai.co.uk

Properly storing your braaiwood & firewood and knowing how to store your logs effectively will ensure that your wood remains dry and is ready to use! Maintaining the quality of your fuel is crucial for an optimal wood-burning experience.

First, consider the location of where your logs are stored – we recommend storing your logs outdoors.

If stored indoors, your logs should be stored safely away from all sources of heat as this could lead to combustion. We advise to only bring wood into your home that will be burned over the next couple of days and store then safely if in the same room as your log burner.

🔥  Store your braaiwood and firewood outdoors

Protect your wood from the elements – Keep it Dry

The primary aim is to keep your logs dry. You will need to protect your firewood from harsh weather conditions. Ideally it should remain uncovered but this not always possible especially during the winter months (the great British weather lol!).

Make sure there is nothing that could drip rainwater directly on onto your logs, such as gutters or trees situated above. It is also wise to store your logs in an area where, ideally, they are frequently in direct sunlight and aren’t exposed to high winds. This prevents too much rain from being blown onto your wood.

We recommend you to invest in a good firewood cover and place it over the top of your woodpile that will protect it from the rain, etc. when needed. A quality tarp or waterproof sheet is a good solution but leave the sides open for good airflow.

Avoid wrapping your wood in plastic or sealing it in airtight containers/storage ‘box’ – yes, it needs to be protected against the elements but most importantly it needs to breathe!

If you’re planning on stacking wood next to a structure, you should always make sure that it is a few inches away from the structure, again to optimise airflow.

Keep your wood off the ground, elevated and well-ventilated

Braaiwood and firewood should always be stored off the ground to allow for proper ventilation. A great option is to store your wood on a wooden pallet, a wood rack or a raised log store. The wood should be piled on top of the pallets (with plenty of airflow between the logs), which will keep each piece raised off the ground.

Storing your wood off the ground will also prevent pests or ground moisture from entering/seeping in.

Don’t tightly stack your logs together, allowing airflow throughout. Stack your wood loosely but in an organised pile. You want gaps between the logs to keep air moving through the pile.

Even if you have purchased Ready to Burn wood, your logs could have reabsorbed some moisture whilst being stored. Elevating your wood, providing ventilation, allowing air to circulate, dries your wood and keeps it ready to burn.

Also make sure you stack your wood in an organised pile, allowing proper airflow.

Rotate your wood like a braai master 😊

Keep your newest firewood at the bottom of the pile and your oldest wood at the top. And make sure to use older logs first and keep newer deliveries to the back or bottom so everything gets its turn.

Moisture content of 20% or less 

Ensure the hardwood you use for your braai, barbecue, firepit, fireplace, log burner, wood burning stove, etc…has a moisture content of 20% or less for a clean and efficient burn, and you buy from a wood supplier who is Ready to Bern accredited. High moisture levels (over 20%) causing it not to burn as efficiently as desired. You can use a moisture meter to check the moisture level of your logs.

Can you find more information on the Ready to Burn scheme here.

At Let’s Braai, all our wood is Ready to Burn Certified. We stock Kameeldoring, Sekelbos, Rooikrans, Mopane braaiwood and Bluegum firewood perfect for fireplaces, wood burning stoves, log burners and open fires.

🔥 Store your braaiwood and firewood: To sum up

• Hardwood is best stored outside in a dry, elevated and well-ventilation area
• Cover the top to protect from the elements but let the logs breathe
• Stack your logs loosely for good airflow
• Rotate your stock

Store your wood properly, and you will enjoy those high-heat burns that bring back the feeling of being back home – whether it’s a South African braai or an Argentinian asado.

If you are looking to up your stash with high quality Namibian, South African hardwood, check our full range of premium braaiwood and firewood at www.letsbraai.co.uk.

Now it’s time to get the fire started and keep those flames burning strong 😉!