Storing logs?

[luckyeight]

What is the best way of storing a delivery of logs that are to be used as fuel for an open fire? Is it better to store them in a garden shed, keeping them dry (I heard somewhere it was not a good idea to keep them in a garden shed as they go mouldy without air flow) or is it ok to keep them outside covered in tarpaulin? Obviously they are brought inside in manageable batches before they are burned to dry them out. The tarp method is the one employed at the moment, but the logs are not burning well and seem not to dry out properly. Surely the shed would be the best place for them? TIA for advice.

[raysparx1]

They are better being stored outside so the air can dry them,try raising the tarpaulin slightly,so the air can get to them.

[Catso]

If they are reasonably dry already, they will keep OK in your shed. If they're still 'green', without a reasonable airflow round them, they could well start to go mouldy/fungusy or rot. So outside would be better.

The drier you can get them (getting the 'sap' out) the more heat you'll get when you burn them. If still 'green', a lot of the heat produced is used up in driving out the water, as steam.

[Thunderbird+]

I store the logs outside on pallets to ensure good air circulation and to stop rising damp from the ground.
Cover with a tarp or sheet of plywood, this can be removed in the summer when its hot and dry and will help the wood sear and crack in the heat.
After I've chopped them, I then store them loosely in a shed and use them as required. As long as the sheds dry you should'nt have any problems.
Ash, you can burn green but anything else is best stored for several months or a year is ideal Good Luck Tbird+

[luckyeight]

Many thanks for these replies - much appreciated :)