The Ultimate Guide to Firewood: Types, Storage, and How to Burn Safely

Why Hardwood Firewood is Best for Winter

When the temperature drops, the type of firewood you burn makes a big difference. Hardwood is the top choice for winter because it produces hotter, longer-lasting, and cleaner fires compared to softwood.

Hardwoods like oak, maple, hickory, and ash are dense, meaning they burn slowly and steadily - perfect for keeping your home warm without adding more logs. They also produce a stronger heat source, making it ideal for fireplaces, wood stoves, and long winter nights. Because hardwoods generate less smoke, fewer sparks, and reduced creosote buildup, they're a safer and more comfortable choice for indoor burning. Their longer burn time also means they hold embers and maintain warmth far better than fast-burning softwoods.

How YPGA Sources and Prepares Firewood

At YPGA, we take pride in offering high-quality hardwood firewood that's ready to burn the moment it reaches your home. All of our firewood is locally sourced, then cut to length, split, and seasoned right at our yard.

After splitting, the wood is placed in our large concrete seasoning bays, where it dries naturally for about a year. We keep multiple bays in rotation - one with fully seasoned hardwood ready to use, and another with freshly split wood beginning the drying process. This year-round system ensures we always have quality firewood available.

Once seasoned, the wood is stacked for easy pickup at our 24/7 self-serve roadside stand or can be delivered directly to your home. No matter how you purchase it, you can count on YPGA firewood being well-prepared and ready for a great burn.

Storing Tips

To keep your seasoned hardwood burning its best, store it off the ground on pallets or a firewood rack to prevent moisture and pests from creeping in. Choose a dry, well-ventilated area - such as an open shed, under an overhang, or along a breezy side of your yard - so the wood can continue to breathe.

Cover only the top of the stack with a tarp or firewood cover to shield it form rain or snow while keeping the sides open for airflow. Stack the wood loosely rather than tightly packed to help it stay dry and ready to use. For safety and pest control, keep the pile a short distance from your home, and only bring inside what you'll burn within a day or two.

Safety Reminders

When burning firewood inside your home, always use properly seasoned hardwood to reduce creosote buildup and ensure a cleaner burn. Have your chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned annually, and be sure the damper is fully open before lighting a fire. Keep a spark screen or glass doors closed while the fire is burning, and never leave it unattended - especially with children or pets nearby.

Make sure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are working, and keep furniture and other flammable items at least three feet from the fireplace. After the fire is out, place cooled ashes in a metal container with a tight lid and store it outdoors, away from your home, to prevent accidental ignition.

When To Restock

Knowing when to restock your firewood helps you avoid running low during the colder months. A good rule of thumb is to check your supply regularly and restock when you're down to about one to two weeks' worth of wood. If you burn daily or rely on wood as a primary heat source, you may want a larger buffer - especially before long cold spells, or heavy snow.

It's also smart to restock in early fall or even late summer, when seasoned hardwood is readily available and easier to stack before winter weather sets in. Keeping a steady rotation of seasoned wood ensures you always have dry, ready-to-burn firewood on hand throughout the season.