Choosing a Wood Rack
There’s nothing like the feeling of a warm, crackling fire. Gathering the family around for some relaxation, good conversation, and hot beverages makes every homeowner feel like a champ…until you realize all your firewood is still soaked from the last storm!
The most crucial factor to making a perfect fire is dry wood. But wood doesn’t just become (or stay) dry on its own. Firewood racks are essential to creating and maintaining seasoned wood for burning. They keep logs off the ground, protected against pests, and ventilated after rain or snow.
Why firewood racks are important
Firewood racks give the needed combination of coverage and airflow to protect seasoned wood and dry out fresh logs. Airflow is the backbone of firewood seasoning, as it pulls out any water in the wood and prevents mold. Storing firewood in a rack instead of on the ground limits moisture from below and helps air circulate through the entire pile.
Wood racks also help prevent animals from grazing on your firewood. Insects like termites and carpenter ants love fresh wood, as do larger animals like rats, beavers, and rabbits. Keep unwelcome visitors away by elevating your pile.
Most importantly, storing firewood properly protects you. Recently cut wood can retain a lot of water, which causes creosote to build up in your chimney and is the biggest reason for chimney fires. Even when burning outside, fresh wood will cause a huge amount of smoke and harm people with respiratory conditions. Never burn fresh or wet wood!
Firewood should always be stored outside and away from structures because bugs and rodents are attracted to sitting wood. Keeping a few logs near your fireplace or pit isn’t too risky, but all other logs should be stored on a wood rack.
Factors to consider before buying a wood rack
Size and weight capacity: The first step to picking a wood rack is ensuring your firewood will fit. If you’re stacking a full cord every year, investing in a large wood rack is best. Keep in mind how heavy wood is and make sure the rack can support this weight.
Height and ventilation: Air needs to always flow between the logs, so you’ll want a rack that the logs can comfortably sit in. If your property gets feet of snow every winter, ensure the rack is high enough that the bottom won’t get buried!
Durability: Wood racks need to hold up against all the elements. While plastic racks are mostly weatherproof, they don’t combat super cold climates very well. They can also crack if you’re tossing wood on. Metal or steel racks that are treated against rust are usually the most durable options.
Design and location: If your wood rack is going behind the shed, you probably don’t care much about how it looks. But if you’re planning to put it on the patio, you’ll want to pick a wood rack design that looks good near your house. Always be mindful of proximity to structures and keep the rack at least 3-5 feet away.
Key firewood rack accessories
A wood rack cover is necessary to prevent water from seeping in. When you leave wood in the open, it can easily become damp from snow and rain. Moisture slows down wood seasoning and wet logs shouldn’t be burned.
Most firewood racks use half covers so there’s room for air circulation. But if you get heavy snow and need more coverage in the winter, invest in a full-length firewood cover made of UV-treated fabric to keep mold from growing.
Firewood carriers are helpful for transporting logs from your wood rack to the fireplace. These can be either handheld totes or wheeled carrier carts. If you make fires on a regular basis, a rolling log carrier is especially helpful for taking all that weight off your back.
Add a durable wood rack today!
Country Home Products is proud to offer a full array of wood racks and accessories to keep your firewood dry and ready for your next wood-burning season.