Types Firewood Storage You Should Know

Firewood is an important part of keeping warm in the winter. But many people don't know how to store it or handle it properly. This article tells you how to do both.

Types Firewood Storage

Firewood Rack

A firewood rack keeps your firewood off the ground and away from the weather. This makes it easier to get, to store, and to use.

Thereafter, you can stack your firewood on the rack and keep it there until you need it. When you're ready to use your firewood, simply take off the provided straps and carry the whole rack full of firewood to your fireplace or stove.

Box

You should package it in a firewood box. These boxes keep the firewood dry, protected from rodents and other pests, and they make it easy to carry large amounts of firewood from your wood pile to your fireplace or stove.

Naturally, you should only buy a box that is designed specifically for storing firewood. But many boxes marketed for other uses will work just fine. Just make sure the box you choose has tight-fitting, weatherproof lid and bottom. 

Basket

A basket makes it easy to move small amounts (1-3 cords) of firewood from your wood pile to your house. It's also useful to keep around the house because it makes an attractive addition to your outdoor décor. But don't use a metal or plastic garden or craft store type basket. These won't keep the firewood dry and will allow pests such as mice and squirrels access to it. Since you'll be handling your firewood often, you should use a sturdy, mesh type basket. 

Cart

A cart is the best way to move large amounts (6-12 cords) of firewood from your wood pile to your house. It should be made of heavy-duty material, such as steel or solid rubber. Some people use dollies but they're not ideal. They can become loose and move around under the weight of the wood. Plus, they are easy to tip over.

 A better choice is a solid rubber cart that is at least 4 feet long. Although rubber burns off when exposed to heat, it does not burn away completely. That means the rubber parts of the cart will still be there to protect your belongings. And just like the rubber parts of a tire, they will slowly decay over time. This will give you another opportunity to get a new cart. 

Material

Fabric

The Best Firewood Storage Material You can use for your firewood storage needs is fabric. Cut the material into 12-foot lengths and tie each one to the top of a 4-foot length of rope. Use more than one piece of fabric if necessary. 

That is what I would use if I were going to cart my own firewood. A variation of this idea is to use a sturdy wire basket as your base and then cover it with scrap wood or fabric. Whatever you decide to use, make sure it will not move around when there is wood on it.

Wrought Iron

When you want a perfect combination of tough and beautiful, then look for a wrought iron firewood rack. These are perfect for by the fire in your living room as they are strong enough to easily hold all of your wood and yet have enough detail in them that they will add to the beauty of your home. One of the benefits of wrought iron is that they are practically indestructible and will able to stand up to you throwing the logs into them without bending or becoming damaged.

Wood firewood storage

Wood firewood storage will last for a long time as long as it is taken care of and will look great at your home. If you have your wood storage outside, then you will want to take care to keep it covered or on a porch so that you don’t have to worry about the wood being damaged by the elements or attracting unwanted insects. These are fairly heavy and sturdy and once they are in position and filled with firewood, they will not be moving.

 One thing you should remember is that this type of firewood storage will need to be emptied every couple of years so it will not become an attractive nesting spot for rodents or other pests.

Metal firewood storage

Metal firewood storage is more or less the same as wooden but there are some differences. The first difference is that metal does not rot. This means that if you use proper care, your firewood storage will last for a very long time. The second difference is that metal is a little more difficult to work with than wood so you may find that if you are doing this project yourself, that it will take you a little longer to get it completed.

Another thing to consider is that if you decide to go with this option, you may want to paint your storage facility to help protect it against rust. You could also apply a clear coat of paint to it or, if you want something a little more dramatic, you could use a color that will really stand out like red or yellow.

Plastic firewood storage

Plastic firewood storage is probably the most popular type of firewood storage and for good reason. This type of storage is light weight and easy to install and remove. Because it is plastic, it will not rot and will last virtually forever. The only maintenance required with this type of storage is to clean it out from time to time to remove debris that may have collected inside it.

Equally important is to make sure it is completely dry before you put any more firewood in it. One thing you should remember about plastic is that it does not offer the same level of protection against rodents or other pests that a wooden or metal storage unit would. If you are located in an area that gets a lot of rain, you may want to consider applying a finish to the outside of your storage unit to help protect it against moisture. You could use a clear coat of paint or, if you want something a little more dramatic.

Features

Indoor

Indoor storage is very desirable because it will keep your wood dry and free of moisture which will prevent decay and also protect it from insects. Fire retardant is another feature you should look for when you are choosing firewood storage for your needs.

Outdoor

Unlike indoor firewood storage, which can’t be used outside.  Generally, outdoor storage is going to be more concerned with utility and function than design as you will want to be able to store as much wood in one place as is possible so that you don’t have to worry about running out of wood during the middle of the winter. One thing to consider when choosing outdoor firewood storage is where you are going to place it and how you are going to protect your wood from the elements as you do not want your seasoned wood to become ruined.

Decorative

If you want to make sure that your firewood storage is a point of pride and not an eyesore in your home, then choose storage that is decorative. This can really make the difference in how your storage looks, how well it blends into your décor, and if it improves or ruins the appearance of your room.  Decorative options are a great way to ensure that you have your firewood at hand when you need it but that you aren’t sacrificing beauty at the same time.

Cover Included

Even if your wood is going to be indoors, moisture can get in between the pieces of wood and rot them from the inside out if they are not protected. You should also look for a cover that is water tight because moisture is even more of a problem when your wood is outside.

Although this may be true, moisture will still get in between the pieces of wood and cause decay. If you have outdoor firewood storage, you should still protect your wood from the elements as much as possible. An option here would be to cover your wood with a tarp or some other waterproof material. 

Rolling

Another option for decorative storage is to stack your firewood on end with smaller pieces on top of larger ones like you would stack coins. This allows you to see all of your wood and makes it easy to grab individual pieces without having to dig through an entire bundle of wood.   As such, you should look for storage that is functional as well as decorative.

Floating

Floating storage that will attach to the wall of your home. This storage has to be very carefully anchored onto the wall to support the weight of the wood but is a great alternative to traditional storage options. If you want your firewood to be stored in a way that makes it easy for you to find when you need it but you also do not want your wood to get wet, then floating is the best option. 

FAQS:

How will the wood be protected?

Wood must be protected from insects and protected with insulation.

What Should You Look For When Choosing A Firewood Rack?

The first thing you should look for when choosing a firewood rack is the size of the rack. You should choose a rack that is large enough to hold all of the firewood you want to store. The second thing to consider is the wood being used to build the rack.

Conclusion

Firewood is one of those things that is essential for survival. It can be used to create a warm fire and keep us warm during cold nights. But, it is also very important to store it properly so that it will last for a long time. If you don't know how to properly store firewood, it can quickly become unusable. We hope that this article above will teach you a few simple things about how to properly store firewood.