Looking for opinions on the best stacking solutions, easiest and most sturdy methods, thanks guys, Andy
Most sturdy would be in a three sided shed with a solid floor. Somewhere on this forum I have learned to run limbs through both rows as I stack. It helps with stability but nothing like a shed would do for you.
Read this: Primer on Woodburning by Backwoods Savage Here is how I do it: Crib the ends. I like to use old galvanized metal for covering and usually cover them in late fall or early winter. Be sure to keep the wood off the ground and remember that air circulation will dry the wood best even if it does not get sun (unless you stack it in a swamp).
bogydave for sure uses this method. If you stack really high it is great to do this. I stack to 54" normally and do not need to do this.
Andy, welcome to the forum. You’re going to have to tell us a little about where you are stacking, what resources you have, your goals, etc, etc. what works for one person won’t work for another. Some things I try to do: 1 stack on a level surface. 2 keep the wood off the ground 3 top cover to keep water out 4 no more than 2 rows wide to ensure exposure to wind and sun 5 cut to a uniform length and the ideal/longest size your stove will take 6 split your wood with stacking in mind. If you’re going to crib the ends, make rectangular splits. 7. Reinforce the stacks. I tie both sides together with saplings about 1/3 of the way up the stack and tie the ends in with plastic packing bands and staples. The limbs (saplings) are just 1” diameter that are 40” long for me and are laid across the stacks to tie them together. There’s plenty more you can do. I’d love a wood shed, but it’s not in the cards yet.
Its raining and getting dark, otherwise I would run outside and take some pics for you. I marked up this photo with green so you can see where I put the limbs. I space them out 10 or 15 feet. FYI: read up and learn from Backwoods Savage, he knows what he’s talking about.
My property is not very level so I’ll have to level the stacking with some landscaping timbers or railroad ties
My land is sloped. I use concrete blocks, granite cobble stones and bricks. Each pallet is leveled. The stack follows the natural slope of the land and metal roofing on top drains in the same direction. When I get a chance, I’ll get a pic of what my stacks look like.
Pallets and a few boards (from pallets). The banding is just to keep it together while moving with skidsteer. If you stack in place you don't need that.
Hi Andy and welcome to the forum Pics of some of my stacks. 4'x4'x16'/ two cord each. Racks are made from 2x4/2x6/4x4 cull lumber bought from Lowes. The framed end saves me the trouble of criss crossing (cribbing) logs. These were just done from November to March. I will top cover with plastic soon. I size them to know how much wood i have, but they can be any size to fit ones needs. I only wish i propped them up higher for better air flow, but the wood is off the ground.
this is another way i do it Andy8850 with 40"x48" pallets leveled in all directions, attached to ends and braced diagonally. Wood a few inches off siding to prevent rot. Stack done last weekend. This is another way with the same sized pallets. I centered one against a tree to triple tier the stack. Notice pallets propped up on 4x4's to level from front to back as it was on a slight hill. The other end (unfinished) will hit against another tree with a pallet.
Welcome to the club. Plenty of great folks here with knowledge and humor. What do you have access to? Pallets, metal roof, boards...??? I can show you a couple ways we have stacked... Made with 4 - 50x50 pallets, 2 4x4 on blocks under pallets, 2x4 frame and metal roof. This one holds over a cord. This is our big shed. Approx 8 x 6 1/2 x 14. Holds about 5 cords. Under construction 2 cords full
Handy to the house I built these lean-to's 6 years ago. Used spruce lumber from a local sawmill. Each one holds a cord. 5ft high in the front, 3 ft in the rear. 8ft long. Metal roof was left overs when they built the house in 2005. I built 8 of them. For the summer we leave the wood uncovered. In the fall and winter, we use recycled lumber tarps from the local lumber store. Tarps are the covers the lumber skids are covered in. Durable and last for several years if you can keep the wind from flapping it around. When the cold weather comes and the morning sun hits the tarps, you can watch the steam out from the gap between the tarps and the roof. We usually burn through 4-5 a year. All the bases and uprights needs replacing now. So they are empty and we've stacked out supply out in the field.
Guess most would say I am lazy because I like to burn the wood to heat my house but I am not into all the handleing to stack it. Just pile it and when the season of white stuff come throw a tarp over the pile. I stack about 2 1/2 weeks worth behind the furnace during rhe season of the white stuff. That is plenty enough extra handling for me. Al
Welcome Andy8850 .. the easiest and best way I've ever had for stacking. I didn't, one of the neighbors left old hay wagon up here. And I just put all the chunks and the hay wagon and threw a tarp over it. Worked great. Since you're from New Jersey the question is do you have a problem with termites? I really think you're going to need to get it off the ground to dry in your climate!!
