How to rotate firewood stock without rebuilding the stack

Use bays, delivery labels and a simple first-in-first-out routine to stop old logs being buried.

Give each delivery its own bay and date. Empty the older bay before drawing from the new one. That is the whole system; it only fails when loads are mixed.

Before delivery day

Move the remaining older logs into one clearly bounded section. Sweep the empty bay, check its floor and roof, and repair problems while the structure is visible. Do not cover old damp debris with the fresh load.

Label what the date means

Record the delivery month and whether the seller supplied it as ready to burn or for further drying. The label is an inventory note, not proof of current moisture. Check representative pieces correctly before use.

One bay is still workable

Use a removable divider or leave a narrow empty break between batches. If the new delivery must go in front, move the old stock temporarily rather than accepting that it will live at the back for another year.

Resist topping up

Adding a few new logs to the old side destroys the boundary. Keep odd pieces with their delivery or create a small “use next” basket in the driest accessible part.

Sources

GOV.UK customer notice for larger-volume firewood sales — drying and fresh-face moisture guidance, checked 10 November 2026.