Whether you are looking for a way to clean up those wood piles in your yard or looking for a way to neatly stack your wood fuel near your hearth, a firewood rack is the perfect solution for all of your wood organizing and seasoning needs. Firewood racks come in a variety of styles, shapes, and sizes and they are an easy way to add convenience to heating with wood.
Outdoor and indoor firewood racks serve different purposes and come with specific features. Outdoor firewood racks are generally larger, designed to withstand the elements and often come with covers for protection against rain and snow. They are ideal for storing large quantities of firewood. Some popular options include the WoodEze 1 Face Cord Firewood Rack or the HY-C 60-inch Black Crescent Log Rack
On the other hand, indoor racks are smaller and often come with a more decorative design to blend with your home decor. They are used to keep a few logs handy for your fireplace. A few of our more popular indoor firewood holder options include the Enclume Large Rectangle Rack or the HY - C Firewood Cart
Regardless of where you plan to use your rack, it is important to choose one that fits your space and will hold the right amount of firewood to meet your storage needs.
The best log racks are designed to keep your wood up and off of the ground. The log racks are also easy to assemble.
For Outdoor log racks, they offer a heavy-duty finish that can withstand the harsh rainy and snowy winter weather conditions. Whether you are looking for enough wood for a backyard fire pit or a firewood rack big enough to get you through the heating season, there are options for your project.
Proper seasoning of firewood is crucial for optimal burning, and this is where high-quality wood racks come into their own. The best racks ensure that your firewood is stacked in a way that allows air to circulate around it, accelerating the drying process.
They provide the necessary small air spaces between logs, crucial for allowing air to flow and moisture to evaporate. This helps prevent the growth of mold and fungus that can render your firewood useless.
Notably, outdoor racks are particularly good for this purpose, given the added advantage of natural wind and sunlight. They're more than just a holder; they're a key part of the process of preparing your firewood for use.
Indoor log racks contribute to the overall aesthetic of your home while serving a practical purpose. They come in a variety of styles to match any interior, from minimalist and modern to intricate and ornate. For those seeking mobility, portable indoor log racks can be easily moved around the home. These are often lightweight and compact, ideal for smaller spaces or for those who like to rearrange their furniture regularly.
Alternatively, you can opt for a stationary rack design that allows for stacking firewood in close proximity to the hearth. This type of rack is often larger and more robust, providing a convenient and organized firewood storage solution. Some designs even incorporate additional features such as built-in tools or kindling holders.
When choosing a firewood rack, it's essential to consider size, design, material, and location. The size of the rack should match your storage needs. Consider how much wood you'll need to store and choose a rack that can accommodate that amount comfortably. Keep in mind that a larger rack doesn't necessarily mean better, as it could take up too much space. Log racks are usually measured by how many cords of firewood they can hold.
A full cord of firewood is equal to about 128 cubic feet of firewood or a rack that measures 8 feet long by 4 feet tall and 4 feet deep. Most firewood racks will hold a face cord of wood instead of an actual full cord of wood because a face cord of wood usually measures 8 feet long by 4 feet tall and only 16 inches deep. You will notice that most firewood log racks will only be 12-14 inches deep, this is to accommodate the face cord sizing, Firewood racks will come in different lengths as well. A half-cord size rack will usually only be 4 feet long.
The design of the firewood storage rack should be both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Select a design that complements your space and meets your storage needs. For example, some racks come with a built-in area or compartment for kindling storage. Also, some racks will also include covers for outdoor protection.
The material of the rack should be durable and suitable for its intended location. For outdoor use, choose a rack made from weather-resistant material like steel. For indoor use, a rack made from iron or wood could add a nice and decorative touch.
The location where the rack will be placed is also important. If it's outdoors, ensure it's in a spot that's easily accessible but also safe from excessive moisture. For indoor racks, consider a location near your fireplace for convenience.
If a wood rack is 8 feet long by 4 feet high and the wood is cut to be about 16 inches in depth then this means that the wood rack will hold a face cord of wood. It is important to measure the inside dimensions of your firewood box or fire pit burn area when cutting your wood to length. It is also a good idea to reference your appliance manual to see what size logs are recommended in your unit.
Firewood racks come in a variety of types to suit different needs and preferences. They are usually classified by either Outdoor Firewood Racks or Inside firewood racks, but they can also be broken down into more specific categories. Some popular types include:
Outdoor racks are perfectly acceptable to use indoors as long as you have the space for them. Outdoor racks are usually just made of stronger, heavy-duty materials and are usually painted and finished to be able to withstand prolonged exposure to rain, snow, and other weather conditions.
Indoor racks are usually designed and constructed to be more decorative, and in most cases, they will not be able to withstand prolonged exposure to the elements and may break down quicker if used outdoors.
This will actually depend on whether you want to hold a 1/2 cord of firewood or a 1/2 face cord of firewood. For a 1/2 cord of firewood, which is approximately 64 cubic feet, the rack size should be around 8 feet long, 4 feet high, and 2 feet deep.
If you are looking to find a rack that can accommodate a 1/2 face cord of firewood then you will need a rack that is 4 feet long by 4 feet tall and 12 to 14 inches deep.
The overall width and height of your firewood rack will depend on a couple of factors. First of all, it will depend on how much space you have available to place the wood rack. The second factor is how much wood you have to stack up. Most outdoor firewood racks are going to be 4 feet tall. They will also be between 12 and 14 inches deep to accommodate up to 16-inch sections of firewood. The length of outdoor racks usually starts at 3 to 4 feet wide and goes up from there. Some manufacturers actually offer extension kits that allow you to make the log rack as long as you need it.
The Northline Express Resource Center has helpful articles on a wide variety of projects, including several articles about log racks and firewood.
You can also check out the Northline Express YouTube Page which features a variety of product videos and how-to videos on firewood racks.