How To Store Firewood
There are so many things I love about living out in the (sort of) country. There are big yards, kind neighbors, privacy, quiet evenings, and cozying around a real fire right in the living room watching movies. On those cold rainy days when the chill cuts me down to the bones, a nice fire always pulls me out of the funk I find myself in. But having a big fire means using a lot of firewood and preparing a lot during the year for the colder months, and using a lot of wood means needing to cut and store a lot of it. Luckily for us, nature provides.
We are surrounded by so many trees, and so many of them are already dead, just waiting to be cut down. And cut down they were, but not before we figured out a way to store the firewood first.
If wood lays on the ground for too long it’ll start rotting, so it’s best to have your storage plans ready ahead of time so you don’t lose out on that precious commodity. And since we had SO MUCH to store and almost no budget, we had to get creative with how we did things. And now I can pass that knowledge on to you!
The easiest way to store firewood, that I’ve found so far, is just with some cinder blocks and 2×4’s. All you will need are those 2 things and something for cutting the 2x4s to size. Lay the cinder blocks down, parallel to each other, as far apart as you want the base of your firewood rack to be. Run 2 2x4s across, laying down flat. It doesn’t have to extend past the edges of the blocks, but close to it is best. Then, prop the end of a 2×4 inside the cinder block hole, and lean it out, one in each hole, in both blocks. This should kind of look like a bowl from the side. There you go! The weight of the wood will keep the blocks from falling over, and the 2x4s are strong enough to not bend.
If you want to go even further, you can then lay 2x4s on top of the side wall 2x4s long way, attach them, then put some plywood or OSB running along the top to act as a roof. This will protect it from rain and snow. If you want something a little smaller, you can just use one cinder block with 2 2x4s going up on either side.
Using a fireplace is something most people don’t think about, and understandably too, given modern heating. However, even in Texas, it’s something that shouldn’t be slept on. In 2021 Texas had a winter so bad it knocked out a lot of people’s power for a few days, even causing some deaths. Much of the problem was an old power grid, but at this point, almost all power grids are old and outdated. It’s something fairly easy to prepare for and, fires are just cozy and nice anyway.
And if you want to keep your home warm and your woodpile organized but are not in a DIY mood, you can check out these handy products to store your firewood efficiently!
1. Outdoor Firewood Rack with Mesh Base $35 – 70. This firewood rack can either be 4, 8, or 12 feet long. You can put it inside for easy use, or outside to hold a bunch of firewood. This thing is sturdy too. It also has a mesh platform on the bottom so things don’t slip in between the bars.
2. Indoor Firewood Rack with Wheels $40. This log rack is both a compact-size log storage holder and a convenient carrier for firewood. The wheels on the bottom make it easy to roll this thing around after it’s got some weight.
3. Indoor Firewood Rack with Kindling Hooks. This holds a night’s worth of firewood while keeping the room looking neat and organized. Perfect for placing the firewood log rack near the fire pit or fireplace.
4. Lumber Storage Rack with 6 Levels $60. This wall-mounted storage rack will make full use of wall space to increase your storage space, keeping your space well-organized so everything is handy.
5. Adjustable Heavy Duty Firewood Holder $35. This is constructed with heavy-duty tubular steel with a two-layer black powder coat finish that is colorfast, rust-resistant, and weatherproof. You can place the firewood rack in any hot, cold, warm, or dry climate to provide enough firewood for a year-round fireplace.
6. Indoor Firewood Rack with Log Carrier $60 – 127. This firewood rack is simple and nice, but still strong. It’s less than 3 feet tall but can hold a lot of weight. It’ll be good for those tighter spaces.
7. Adjustable Metal Firewood Rack $33 – 37. This 4ft tall firewood storage holder is made of heavy tubular steel construction with a double black powder-coated finish, giving it good weather durability.
8. Black/Gray Lumber Storage Rack $50. These sleek black and gray shelves hold up to 110 lbs. each, which means a total capacity of 600 lbs. A great solution for storing heavy boards and other materials while keeping them organized and easy to access.
9. 4 Pack Wall Mount Lumber Storage $50. These high-impact steel racks are designed to store long objects such as lumber and can hold up to 330 pounds. These are very good at freeing up space.
To sum up, keeping your wood storage neat and efficient is key to staying cozy and warm. Using practical tools like firewood racks and log carriers ensures you always have dry, ready-to-burn wood on hand. Don’t forget to equip yourself with quality fireplace tools for easy maintenance. With these simple tips and recommended products, you’ll be all set for cozy fires!
