I realized a short time ago that I was uselessly throwing away good BTUs by not keeping my uglies. I was just chucking 'em over the fence when I got them, thinking that I can't stack them and that they're too weird looking to burn. In fact, it was when reading another thread here that made me realize I gotta do something about it. So, even with an immense lack of carpentry skills, I managed to fashion an Uglies Box... something that I realize many of you all might have, but nevertheless new to me. So, here it is... one pic of the box freshly completed, one pic with my kiddo during the "First Ugly Ceremony," and one pic with my uglies now stored (more to come, though)! Just thought I'd share!
Heck yeah! If the pile on the other side of the fence is large enough, go get those back too! No need to throw away heat; the stove doesn't care what the pieces look like!! Will you be lining the ugly box with some sort of netting or hardware cloth to prevent spillover?
All the seed and fertilizer companies around here have good sized metal crates they carry supplies in. I have two metal crates for uglies. One to weather outside and one to use in the garage.
Well done, I just put one together myself. I used a pallet so i can drive to the uglies with the tractor or park it near the pile. Might as well save the BTu's right. Enjoy
Nice work! When I get those short "cookie" cutoffs, I like to split them in 1/2 or 1/3rds, down to "normal" firewood sized chunks. They stack pretty well that way. The ugliest ones get saved for the top of the stacks.
I used to have an uglies box, just fashioned from 5 skids. Now I just use the top of the stacks as shelves.
No top. Just open. I might put a tarp over it. It's under my back deck, so I'm not sure how much water will get to it.
Been debating that... don't know right now. I think for the moment I will try to strategically place larger pieces on the outside along the rails. If I start getting spillover, I'll reconsider adding some form of liner.
Update... box now a quarter full. About a quarter cord. This will be next fall's early burning season supply. Might get it to three quarters full by the end of the fall. Will likely tarp it for now, but I really like the idea from above putting a hinged lid on it. We'll see!
The only comment I have on the stacking of the wood is the way you have it might make it a bit harder to get out. Usually stacking it the usual way lets you get it out easier. But it can work both ways but be sure to consider this.
Thought of that, but in the end, I think that most of the pieces will be small enough that I can slide them through the slats. They're about 10 inches apart, and most of the Uglies are smaller than that, especially in the middle of the box. The bigger ones are lined around the outside so they can lean against the slats and prevent the small ones from sliding out. We'll see how it goes... I don't really know how it will work out... I just know that I'm keeping these around for the BTUs!
Just built a couple of these. Made a big dolly on casters so I can roll it into,my shop next to the wood burner.
