Can Firewood Go Bad? How to Store Logs So They Last for Years

You stacked a neat pile, pictured winter evenings, struck a match… and the fire just sulks.
But here’s the twist: the wood isn’t “bad” – your storage is.
Most logs don’t suddenly expire; in British weather, they slowly absorb trouble — moisture, mould and pests — unless you set them up right.

Introduction

So, can firewood go bad? Yes — but not like milk. In the UK, well-seasoned logs can stay excellent for years if you keep them genuinely dry, off the ground and ventilated. In this guide, we’ll cut through hearsay with practical steps you can use today. We’ll explain what “bad” really means, how long logs last, how to spot problems, and how to store wood so it burns hotter, cleaner and with less smoke. We’ll also clarify the Ready to Burn rules (≤20% moisture) that apply when buying or selling firewood in England.

What “bad” firewood actually is

“Bad” wood is compromised wood. Typical issues:

• Too wet (above ~20% moisture): sluggish lights, steamy hissing, heavy smoke, creosote build-up.
• Rotten/punky: soft, crumbly, low heat output.
• Mouldy: visible growth, musty smell; unpleasant to handle or burn.
• Pest-ridden: burrow holes, fine sawdust; unpleasant to bring indoors.

None of these happens overnight. They’re almost always a storage story, not an age story.

How long does firewood last?

You’ll see two truths online:

• Stored correctly, logs can remain usable for several years — often quoted as 3–4 years.
• In practice, with excellent airflow, cover and elevation, quality can hold indefinitely without degrading — because you’re preventing the causes of decay.

The UK reality: our damp, windy winters demand belt-and-braces storage. Aim to burn within 2–3 years of seasoning to keep BTU output high and avoid surface re-wetting.

The UK rule that matters: ≤20% moisture

In England, wood sold in volumes under 2m³ must be Ready to Burn certified (≤20% moisture). Even if you cut your own, the ≤20% benchmark is the sweet spot for clean, efficient heat and a clearer flue. Keep a moisture meter handy and test on a freshly split face of the log.

How firewood goes bad (and how to stop it)

Think of three silent culprits: water, ground contact, stale air.

Water

Rain and splashback re-wet seasoned logs. Trapped condensation under full tarps drives mould. Fix it with a roof, not a wrap: cover the top, keep sides open, and face the stack to prevailing wind.

Ground contact

Soil and paving wick moisture. Lift stacks at least a pallet high (90–120 mm). Keep a drip edge so water sheds forward.

Stale air

Tight cubes and full tarps lock in humidity. Stack one or two logs deep, bark-side down on split pieces, and leave gap channels every metre for crossflow.

Spotting trouble: a quick field checklist

• Weight test: seasoned hardwood feels deceptively light; waterlogged or rotten pieces feel heavy or oddly spongy.
• Sound test: two seasoned logs “clack” with a crisp ring; wet ones thud.
• Face test: split a suspect log and probe with a moisture meter; you’re after ≤20%.
• Look & smell: grey/black patches, white/green mould or musty odour indicate re-wetting and potential decay.

If it’s rotten/punky, expect poor heat — save that for shoulder-season fires or compost it. If it’s simply wet, dry it properly before burning.

Hardwood vs softwood in British weather

Hardwood (oak, ash, beech): denser, longer burn, ideal for logs for wood burners on cold evenings. Needs longer seasoning and meticulous storage to avoid surface mould.

Softwood (larch, pine, spruce): quick to light, great for kindling and daytime burns; more resin, faster to season, but easier to re-wet.

Whichever you use, the same rule holds: store well and test for ≤20% moisture.

The Ready to Burn advantage (and why Stubbs Copse matters)

Buying Ready to Burn certified fuel means the logs are ≤20% moisture at sale, but your storage decides what they’re like in February. Keep them dry, and they’ll stay “ready”. Stubbs Copse supplies properly seasoned logs, with firewood delivery in West Sussex, cut to consistent lengths, and kiln-dried options available in season — so you start with the right moisture level and the right species mix for British stoves.

Storage blueprint for UK homes (copy this)

• Site & base: choose a sunny, breezy side of the garden. Lay bearers or a rack so the lowest log is at least 10 cm off the ground.
• Stack: rows one–two logs deep, ends cross-braced; leave a 2–3 cm gap between rows.
• Cover: rigid roof or sheet over the top only; leave the sides open. Weigh covers down; avoid full wraps.
• Clearance: keep stacks at least 5–7 m from the house to discourage pests; only bring a week’s worth inside.
• Rotation: first-in, first-out. Mark the year on each stack and burn the oldest sound wood first.
• Measure: keep a basic moisture meter in the log basket; test a fresh split face.

Action plan if your wood seems “bad”

• Wet but solid? Re-stack with airflow and a proper top cover; give it a breezy fortnight, then re-test.
• Surface mould only? Brush off outdoors, dry thoroughly; don’t bring mouldy pieces into damp sheds.
• Rotten/punky? Retire it; supplement with seasoned logs for sale from a local, certified supplier.
• Mixed pile and winter looming? Blend: use softwood/kindling to start, then add Stubbs Copse seasoned hardwood to carry the heat.

Conclusion

Firewood doesn’t “go off” on a date — it goes wrong when moisture, ground contact and stale air creep in. Nail storage, measure moisture, and buy locally from a Ready to Burn–aware supplier. Do that, and your logs will burn longer, cleaner and cheaper, year after year. For reliable firewood delivery in West Sussex, seasoned logs for sale, and no-nonsense storage advice, Stubbs Copse has you covered.

FAQs

Can firewood expire?

No fixed expiry, but it degrades if re-wetted, mouldy, punky or infested. Correct storage keeps it usable for years.

How long will seasoned logs last in the UK?

Typically 2–3+ years in good storage; some guidance cites 3–4 years. Damp climates demand better airflow and top-only covers.

What moisture level should I aim for?

≤20%. It’s the UK Ready to Burn standard and the sweet spot for clean, efficient burns. Test a fresh split face.

Is it safe to burn mouldy or rotten wood?

Avoid. Expect extra smoke, poor heat and unpleasant spores; use clean, dry logs instead.

What’s the best way to store logs outdoors?

Off the ground, under a roof/top cover, sides open to wind, single/double-row stacks, and rotate oldest first.