Hi all. Been a while. Note: I had back surgery in the spring so I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. Quick question, does anyone have a preference on the 2x4 type log racks between the Seymour powder coated steel type or the Shelterlogic ABS plastic? I picked up the Seymour already, like the way the SL takes care of the crossmember there but...plastic. TIA. Outdoor Firewood Racks | WoodlandDirect.com: Firewood Racks & Carriers, Firewood Rack, Firewood Log Rack
I used plastic for awhile, but they crack apart on me after a couple years. I switched to the Ironton steel log brackets available from NorthernTool.com 19.99/pair right now.
I have one of these 8' long set up outside about 8 or 9 years old , setting on cement, still holds the wood like it did when I set it up . ShelterLogic LumberRack Firewood Adjustable Brackets I have another one I set up 2' long to stack some wood in the house
I do a similar set up with the bottom rack and then put t post on the outside just behind the block. Others were fully wood racks but I don't mind that they are temporary. Still serve a purpose and strong. I was at mcClendons hardware today, saw the racks you build with simple 2x4's and the brackets were simple metal for about $20. Hard to beat that when its made for something simple and replacement is easy. Metal all over can be good or bad, if it rusts or bends you're SOL but its easy when you just need to replace a wooden support and likely to last you a few years if not more when kept under cover.
Just gravity holding the 2x4s down in the blocks. If you "shim" the 2x4s in the blocks so that they are straight up as HDRock has them, then it will probably put less stress on the blocks themselves...but either way works just fine.
OK, so, as I type this, I think I know what the answer is going to be but I want opinions anyway. Let me preface this by repeating that I had back surgery this Spring. My fireplace is toward the front of the house. So, what I did last year that worked out really well was taking the patio furniture off the front porch and replacing it with the 8' Woodhaven firewood rack I bought last year. I love that thing and would like to buy more of them but they are $200 a piece. Anyway, I'm going to do that again but I also want a more permanent solution to my firewood storage dilemma. As an FYI, I live in a twin in the "downtown" area of my town. My street is busy and another side of my property buts up against an alley that me and most of my neighbors use. In addition to the front porch, I was planning to use the racks we were talking about before on the side of my house, close to the front, so that I didn't have to move the stuff so far. This is an older photo and I've already gotten the vegetation out or there. As you can see, the ground eventually slopes so, if I was lucky I'd be able to get two to four 8' long racks on there after I level the ground a bit. However, this past weekend I rented a friend's Kubota and dug up an area of my property that I cut some bushes down on last year to get rid of the stumps and vegetation that kept growing up. I was thinking about planting a couple trees there but then I thought, maybe I kill 2 birds with 1 stone. I would need to have someone drive over that area to tamp it down, get some weed barrier and stone and that would be my new firewood area: If it matters, that side of the house faces south. If I used that piece of ground, I could face the logs to take advantage of prevailing westerlies. I'm not crazy about having them right near the alley but it might be the best solution. Thanks in advance and please don't make fun of my horrible ground.
I like the new proposed area (the pic with a Kubota) for stacks - it looks more open breezy and sunny than your present stack. I like the idea of weed barrier under the stacks, else stuff grows between & into them. I have no better ideas than has already been listed about your wet wood. If your area has been invaded by the cursed EAB already, harvesting the top 2/3 of the standing killed ash trees would get you mostly dry wood for this winter - but you'll need to check if your county is quarantined from moving EAB ash wood.
I've been thinking of putting a few racks like that on my porches. One is the uncovered back deck that in was planning to use for shoulder season, then I was planning to put two more on the enclosed 3 season porch. Do you.have any cover suggestions? I was thinking of asking my mom to see up a canvas cover with some zippers for the outside one.
I quickly scrolled through this thread, so forgive me if I repeat. You got good advice about burning dry wood, but clearly this is not an option for you this year, other than kiln-dried scraps and/or pallet wood. As a fellow PA resident, tulip poplar is absolutely your best friend ( Which "trash tree" is your guilty pleasure for firewood? ) when you are getting started. It dries very well in just a few months. Of course, it burns like paper, but it does burn hotly and cleanly. The best part of your situation is that you have natural gas back up. Natural gas is SUPER cheap, efficient and environmentally friendly right now, so don't hesitate to use it while you get your firewood hoard established. Honestly, if we had access to natural gas, I would never have put in a wood stove. I would have harvested my trees for lumber and sold off the tops for firewood. In the end, you are in a very good position. Just work on a long-term plan for firewood and don't be afraid to burn some natural gas until you get your wood in order. You will be surprised how fast a year or two goes by, and bingo! you are all set up with a stash of <20% MC firewood.
like this? ShelterLogic 8 ft. Universal Full Length Firewood Storage Rack Cover-90478 - The Home Depot
Worth $27.76 so poor old mom doesn't have to make it. You could barely buy the material for that price.
So, lesson learned. Dude you are so screwed for this winter that you have a "flat" head instead of a "phillip's" head. . Good luck for next year.
