A log basket by the fire is one of the small pleasures of a wood burning winter. It saves trips outside on cold evenings and keeps the fuel ready to hand. As a supplier of fencing and timber supplies in Clitheroe and Ready to Burn certified firewood, we get asked how much wood to keep indoors. This guide sets out a sensible routine.
Bringing In the Right Amount
The short answer is a day or two’s supply at most. Anything more than a log basket by the fire can hold fills the room and invites problems. Your main stock belongs outside in a ventilated store.
How much that is depends on your stove and how long you burn it. An evening fire might use a basket a night. A stove running from mid-afternoon may need a refill before bedtime.
Sizing a Log Basket by the Fire
Choose a log basket by the fire that holds roughly one evening’s burning. That way, you refill it once a day and never overstock the room. A small basket also stops you piling in logs you do not need.
Our logs are cut on average to 8 inches long, with a maximum diameter of 6 inches. As a result, they sit neatly in most standard baskets. Longer logs from other sources often stick out and tip the basket over.
Why a Warm Room Keeps Kiln Dried Logs Dry
Our firewood is kiln dried to under 20% moisture content before delivery. A warm living room keeps it at that level. In fact, logs brought in from a slightly damp store will dry a little overnight.
That said, a basket is not a substitute for a dry store. Logs that are wet through will not dry properly in a day. Our post on why kiln-dried logs are better for your chimney and stove explains why dryness matters so much.
Insects and Why Logs Should Not Live Indoors
Kiln drying kills most insects in the wood. Even so, logs stored outdoors can pick up beetles, spiders and woodlice. A warm room wakes them up quickly.
So bring in only what you will burn soon. Logs that sit indoors for weeks give insects time to wander out. Our article on insects in firewood covers this in more detail.
Baskets Versus Log Racks
Baskets suit cottages and smaller living rooms. They are easy to carry out to the store and back. However, loose bark and dust drop through woven sides.
Indoor racks hold more wood in a neat stack. They suit larger rooms and long burning days. On the other hand, they encourage people to bring in more than they need. Either works, provided you stick to a day or two’s supply.
Keeping Kindling Alongside
Keep a small supply of kindling next to your log basket by the fire. A separate tub or bag stops it getting buried under logs. One net of our kiln dried softwood kindling lights roughly 10 to 12 fires.
Our 5 nets of kindling are a handy size for a few weeks of lighting. Keep the nets in the store and bring one in at a time. Also keep firelighters in a closed tin away from the stove.
Keeping a Log Basket by the Fire Clear of Stove Heat
Never place the log basket by the fire so close that it touches the stove. Wicker, timber and dry bark can all scorch. Check the manufacturer’s guidance on clearance to combustibles.
Most stoves give out fierce radiant heat from the sides and front. Therefore, keep the basket to one side, well clear of the glass. A hearth rug also needs space around it.
Refilling From a 3×5 or 5×5 Log Store
A log basket by the fire only works if the outdoor supply is dry and close by. Our log stores have a sloping feather edge roof and slatted back and sides for airflow. They are rough-sawn pressure-treated softwood and arrive fully assembled.
The log store 3×5 is 3ft wide and 5ft high, which suits small yards and terraced back gardens. The log store 5×5 is 5ft wide and 5ft high for heavier users. Place either near the back door so refilling the basket takes a minute.
Firewood Deliveries Along the Rossendale Valley
Homes in Rawtenstall and Waterfoot often sit on steep, narrow terraced streets. Access can be tight for any delivery. Our drivers use a pickup or small open-back transit to help.
We deliver regularly to customers searching for logs for sale Rawtenstall and logs for sale Waterfoot. Loose loads are tipped as close as safely possible. However, our drivers cannot stack logs in your store or carry them into the house.
A Simple Daily Routine
Most regular burners settle into a routine. In the morning, empty the ash pan if needed and refill the basket. Then bring in kindling for the evening fire.
Doing this in daylight saves fumbling in the dark and rain. It also means the logs have a few hours in the warm before you light up. As a result, the fire catches faster.
Sweep up any bark and dust around the basket at the same time. Loose bark near the hearth is untidy and can be a fire risk. A small dustpan kept by the stove makes this easy.
Watch how quickly the basket empties over a week. If it lasts two nights, you can refill every other day. If it runs out early, choose a slightly larger basket rather than piling logs on the floor.
Keep your log basket by the fire topped up with dry, Ready to Burn logs by calling us on 01200 449930. We offer free delivery on orders over £150 across all BB postcode areas and aim to deliver within 5 working days.
