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- Prepare Your Home
- Loss of Power
- Firewood
Firewood Storage for Emergency Warmth and Cooking
The most common type of firewood for home use is hardwood which includes oak, ash, and birch. It is used in nearly all indoor and outdoor fireplaces and for wood heating use. Hardwood is used because it is dense, burns hotter and longer, and emits far less smoke than softwood, which is not ideal for indoor fires. Remember, wood can also be painted, stained, or finished with substances that, when burned, release hazardous fumes and gases. Use only bare, unfinished, or unprocessed hardwood in your fires.
Use Seasoned wood
If you purchase wood from a supplier, then it already has been seasoned, a process of drying out the wood which can take approximately 6 months to 2 years, though actual times may vary depending on the type of wood, climate, and storage conditions. If you are cutting your own, then you will need to season the wood yourself.
Firewood for emergency use
Firewood is an excellent fuel source that can be used for cooking and keeping your family warm. While many people use their fireplace during the winter, using it as a form of emergency heat and cooking require forethought and planning if you want to get the most from this alternative fuel source.
Warming your home
You can use firewood in your fireplace if your installation meets current safety codes (for example, a properly rated chimney flue system, sometimes referred to as a “Class A” flue in certain guidelines). See other safety regulations listed below.
A typical home will need about 5 to 8 cords of wood to adequately be heated during the winter months (1 cord = 128 cubic feet that is four feet high, four feet wide, and eight feet long); however, this estimate can vary based on factors such as home size, insulation, the heating appliance used (fireplace or wood stove), and wood quality. The better seasoned the wood is, the more heat it will produce.
Cooking for your family
This includes indoor wood-burning stoves, and outdoor open pits, and the many available types of wood burning portable camping stoves. These camping stoves are a good option for those who don't have an indoor wood-burning fireplace or an outdoor open pit.
Using a camping stove
Some of the more popular wood-burning portable camping stoves are the Solo Stove and Rocket Stove. They come in different sizes, are extremely efficient, and take only a small amount of firewood or other approved biomass fuels (ensure you use fuels recommended by the manufacturer) to operate effectively.
Using an indoor fireplace
Cooking in a well-maintained wood-burning fireplace is perfectly safe as long as you follow the safety and usage requirements (see below).
Skewer method - Using a skewer, simply pierce your food and hold it over the fire below, rotating until your food is cooked to your liking. Two bonus tips for this method: avoid high-fat foods, which can cause flare-ups and produce excessive smoke, and always use a drip tray to catch any drippings.
Dutch oven method - Cast iron Dutch ovens can easily cook great recipes like soups and stews in your fireplace. Before the pot goes in, the embers need to be extremely hot; once they are, place the pot directly on top of them and rotate it occasionally to distribute heat more evenly.
It’s recommended to use heat‑proof gloves and, if needed, a small shovel to safely manage hot embers, and to keep a fire‑resistant trivet or metal stand nearby so you have a safe place to set the pot when checking your food.
Clean Up
After cooking, allow the embers to cool completely before disposing of ash, and avoid dousing hot coals with water inside the fireplace since rapid cooling can damage the firebox.
Fireplace Tools, Equipment & Safety
If you plan to rely on firewood as a primary fuel source during an emergency, it’s wise to maintain a well‑rounded set of tools and accessories. Keeping these items stored together and ready to use ensures you’re not scrambling to locate what you'll need when the power goes out or conditions become stressful. A well‑prepared setup not only makes heating and cooking more efficient, it also reduces risk by allowing you to manage the fire, fuel, and ash safely and confidently should an emergency happen.
Taking the time now to assemble the following tools and accessories before the need arises will make it easier to deal with any prolonged power outage emergency.
Firewood processing & handling
- Wood‑splitting maul
- Splitting wedge(s)
- Wood saw (hand saw or bow saw)
- Chainsaw (plus bar oil, spare chain, and safety gear)
- Firewood carrier or sling
- Outdoor wood rack with cover
- Indoor hearth wood rack
Fireplace operation & safety
- Fireplace tool set (shovel, poker, tongs, brush)
- Fireplace bellows
- Heat‑resistant gloves
- Ash bucket with tight‑fitting metal lid
- Metal scoop or ash shovel
- Fire screen or spark guard
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Smoke detector with fresh batteries
- Flashlight or headlamp for low‑light tending
Cooking & heat optimization
- Metal trivet or cooking stand for Dutch oven use
- Long‑handled cooking utensils
- Cast iron cookware (Dutch oven, skillet, skewers, etc.)
- Fireplace‑safe grate or andirons
- Accessories designed to improve heat recovery or airflow (verify current product names and recommendations)
PROS
- Firewood is the most basic and inexpensive of all fuel sources.
- In many locations, you can often find firewood for free.
- If kept dry, it can store for years.
CONS
- In some areas, firewood may be less plentiful, which can affect your long-term fuel storage planning.
- It can easily become wet and unusable.
- Special care must be taken, especially if this is one of your chosen main emergency fuel sources.
Safety Requirements
Before using your fireplace for cooking, make sure to do the following. Schedule a CSIA-Certified inspection to identify any damage or safety concerns. Maintain the fireplace and chimney with regular inspections to prevent creosote buildup and other hazards. Cooking in a fireplace or chimney that has not been properly cleaned can increase the risk of fire and harmful smoke exposure. Always ensure the flue is open during use to avoid a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide and move all flammable materials away from the fireplace before beginning your cooking.
Use Requirements
Proper ventilation must be available when burning firewood inside.
Use Limitations
Wood that is painted, stained, or finished with substances can, when burned, release hazardous fumes and gases. Use only bare, unfinished, or unprocessed wood in your fires.
Storage Requirements
Firewood should be:
- Seasoned (dried and cured) for at least 6-12 months before use; however, seasoning time will depend on the type of wood, initial moisture content, climate, and storage conditions.
- Stored at a safe distance from your house (for example, following local guidelines, which may recommend around 30 feet, or using a dedicated, fire-resistant storage shed).
- Placed on a rack to keep it off the ground.
- Covered and kept dry.
Tip
See if you can buy scraps of unused wood from cabinets or other woodworking shops. Then cut them into smaller, more uniform pieces and store them in a well-ventilated area or on open racks. These smaller pieces of wood will light easier and burn faster than a full log.
Firewood Storage for Emergency Warmth and Cooking
The most common type of firewood for home use is hardwood which includes oak, ash, and birch. It is used in nearly all indoor and outdoor fireplaces and for wood heating use. Hardwood is used because it is dense, burns hotter and longer, and emits far less smoke than softwood, which is not ideal for indoor fires. Remember, wood can also be painted, stained, or finished with substances that, when burned, release hazardous fumes and gases. Use only bare, unfinished, or unprocessed hardwood in your fires.
Seasoned wood
If you purchase wood from a supplier, then it already has been seasoned, a process of drying out the wood which can take approximately 6 months to 2 years, though actual times may vary depending on the type of wood, climate, and storage conditions. If you are cutting your own, then you will need to season the wood yourself.
Firewood for emergency use
Firewood is an excellent fuel source that can be used for cooking and keeping your family warm. While many people use their fireplace during the winter, using it as a form of emergency heat and cooking require forethought and planning if you want to get the most from this alternative fuel source.
Warming your home
You can use firewood in your fireplace if your installation meets current safety codes (for example, a properly rated chimney flue system, sometimes referred to as a “Class A” flue in certain guidelines). See other safety regulations listed below.
A typical home will need about 5 to 8 cords of wood to adequately be heated during the winter months (1 cord = 128 cubic feet that is four feet high, four feet wide, and eight feet long); however, this estimate can vary based on factors such as home size, insulation, the heating appliance used (fireplace or wood stove), and wood quality. The better seasoned the wood is, the more heat it will produce.
Cooking for your family
This includes indoor wood-burning stoves, and outdoor open pits, and the many available types of wood burning portable camping stoves. These camping stoves are a good option for those who don't have an indoor wood-burning fireplace or an outdoor open pit.
Using a camping stove
Some of the more popular wood-burning portable camping stoves are the Solo Stove and Rocket Stove. They come in different sizes, are extremely efficient, and take only a small amount of firewood or other approved biomass fuels (ensure you use fuels recommended by the manufacturer) to operate effectively.
Using an indoor fireplace
Cooking in a well-maintained wood-burning fireplace is perfectly safe as long as you follow the safety and usage requirements (see below).
Skewer method - Using a skewer, simply pierce your food and hold it over the fire below, rotating until your food is cooked to your liking. Two bonus tips for this method: avoid high-fat foods, which can cause flare-ups and produce excessive smoke, and always use a drip tray to catch any drippings.
Dutch oven method - Cast iron Dutch ovens can easily cook great recipes like soups and stews in your fireplace. Before the pot goes in, the embers need to be extremely hot; once they are, place the pot directly on top of them and rotate it occasionally to distribute heat more evenly.
It’s recommended to use heat‑proof gloves and, if needed, a small shovel to safely manage hot embers, and to keep a fire‑resistant trivet or metal stand nearby so you have a safe place to set the pot when checking your food.
Clean Up
After cooking, allow the embers to cool completely before disposing of ash, and avoid dousing hot coals with water inside the fireplace since rapid cooling can damage the firebox.
Fireplace Tools, Equipment & Safety
If you plan to rely on firewood as a primary fuel source during an emergency, it’s wise to maintain a well‑rounded set of tools and accessories. Keeping these items stored together and ready to use ensures you’re not scrambling to locate what you'll need when the power goes out or conditions become stressful. A well‑prepared setup not only makes heating and cooking more efficient, it also reduces risk by allowing you to manage the fire, fuel, and ash safely and confidently should an emergency happen.
Taking the time now to assemble the following tools and accessories before the need arises will make it easier to deal with any prolonged power outage emergency.
Firewood processing & handling
- Wood‑splitting maul
- Splitting wedge(s)
- Wood saw (hand saw or bow saw)
- Chainsaw (plus bar oil, spare chain, and safety gear)
- Firewood carrier or sling
- Outdoor wood rack with cover
- Indoor hearth wood rack
Fireplace operation & safety
- Fireplace tool set (shovel, poker, tongs, brush)
- Fireplace bellows
- Heat‑resistant gloves
- Ash bucket with tight‑fitting metal lid
- Metal scoop or ash shovel
- Fire screen or spark guard
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Smoke detector with fresh batteries
- Flashlight or headlamp for low‑light tending
Cooking & heat optimization
- Metal trivet or cooking stand for Dutch oven use
- Long‑handled cooking utensils
- Cast iron cookware (Dutch oven, skillet, skewers, etc.)
- Fireplace‑safe grate or andirons
- Accessories designed to improve heat recovery or airflow (verify current product names and recommendations)
Safety Requirements
Before using your fireplace for cooking, make sure to do the following. Schedule a CSIA-Certified inspection to identify any damage or safety concerns. Maintain the fireplace and chimney with regular inspections to prevent creosote buildup and other hazards. Cooking in a fireplace or chimney that has not been properly cleaned can increase the risk of fire and harmful smoke exposure. Always ensure the flue is open during use to avoid a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide and move all flammable materials away from the fireplace before beginning your cooking.
PROS
- Firewood is the most basic and inexpensive of all fuel sources.
- In many locations, you can often find firewood for free.
- If kept dry, it can store for years.
CONS
- In some areas, firewood may be less plentiful, which can affect your long-term fuel storage planning.
- It can easily become wet and unusable.
- Special care must be taken, especially if this is one of your chosen main emergency fuel sources.
Use Requirements
Proper ventilation must be available when burning firewood inside.
Use Limitations
Wood that is painted, stained, or finished with substances can, when burned, release hazardous fumes and gases. Use only bare, unfinished, or unprocessed wood in your fires.
Storage Requirements
Firewood should be:
- Seasoned (dried and cured) for at least 6-12 months before use; however, seasoning time will depend on the type of wood, initial moisture content, climate, and storage conditions.
- Stored at a safe distance from your house (for example, following local guidelines, which may recommend around 30 feet, or using a dedicated, fire-resistant storage shed).
- Placed on a rack to keep it off the ground.
- Covered and kept dry.
Tip
See if you can buy scraps of unused wood from cabinets or other woodworking shops. Then cut them into smaller, more uniform pieces and store them in a well-ventilated area or on open racks. These smaller pieces of wood will light easier and burn faster than a full log.
Equipment That Uses Firewood
Would you like to use firewood as backup fuel? Learn more about firewood-compatible equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about using Firewood as emergency fuel.
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What kind of firewood is best for home use?
Hardwood—such as oak, ash, and birch—is preferred for indoor and outdoor fireplaces because it is dense, burns hotter and longer, and produces less smoke than softwood.
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How much firewood do I need to heat a home for the winter?
Most homes require about 5 – 8 cords of seasoned hardwood per winter, but the exact amount depends on house size, insulation, appliance efficiency, and wood quality.
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How long should firewood be seasoned before burning?
Firewood should be seasoned—air-dried—to reduce moisture for at least 6 – 12 months. Some species or wetter climates may need up to two years.
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Can I cook with my wood-burning fireplace?
Yes. With a clean, safely inspected fireplace you can cook using skewers over the flame or a cast-iron Dutch oven set on hot embers—just keep the flue open and follow fire-safety guidelines.
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How should seasoned firewood be stored?
Stack wood on a rack off the ground, keep it covered, dry, and well-ventilated, and store it a safe distance—about 30 ft—from the house or in a dedicated fire-resistant shed.
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What are the main pros and cons of using firewood as emergency fuel?
Pros: inexpensive, widely available, and stores for years if kept dry. Cons: can be scarce in some regions, spoiled by moisture, and requires ventilation, seasoning, safe storage, and extra tools for reliable use.