Choosing the best firewood log rack will help you to store your firewood, in a visually appealing container and preserve them from mold, excessive moisture and decay. With the ever increasing number of firewood racks in the market, you need some guidance to pick one that will meet your needs without breaking your budget. Here are some of the most important factors to consider when you want to buy a firewood rack.
Storage Capacity
It is wise to choose a rack that can accommodate the quantity of logs you plan to store. Logs are usually sold in cords. One cord is a stack of logs that has a a width of 4ft, a length of 4ft and a height of 8ft. Most manufacturers produce racks that can contain 1/2, 1/4, or 1/8 cord of firewood. If you plan to store additional logs, you may purchase two racks and place them side by side.
Material and Durability
A firewood rack is expected to last for a long time. But the lifespan of your firewood rack depends on the quality of the material used to make it. The materials used to make these racks include wood, plastic and metal. Wood is the least durable and it does not permit air to pass under the wood stack to keep the logs dry. This can cause the entire pile of wood to become damp and difficult to burn. Plastic is a slightly better and cost effective alternative to wood but it may not be strong enough to hold heavy logs of wood. It also gets weak quickly when you live in a very cold climate.
This means that you should opt for a good metal rack, preferably one made of powder coated stainless steel. Steel racks are rugged and they can withstand rust for a very long time. They are also coupled with precision drilled holes that will retain their structural integrity and shape for a very long time. If you want to invest in a log rack that will last a lifetime, you should opt for stainless steel hardware.
Beauty and Aesthetics
If you plan to use your firewood rack indoors, the beauty of the design will be important to you. Choose a rack that has an attractive design with nicely curved edges and a well built stand. Since this rack will become part of your interior décor, you should select a color that will match the design theme of the room where your fireplace is located. Make sure that the rack design will blend well or complement the fireplace, which usually serves as a focal point for the entire room.
Rack Cover
Although some cheap firewood racks come without covers, it is better to pay a little more and purchase one with a good cover. The rack cover will protect your logs from weather elements because they will cover the the rack and the topmost half of the stack of wood. Thus, snow or rain will not fall on the wood and the rack cover will prevent water from infiltrating into the logs. Your wood will remain dry and it will be easy to kindle during winter. In addition, a high quality cover will increase air flow through the firewood. It will also allow the wood to cure properly. Consequently, the moisture in the wood will move gradually from the center of each log to the outer part and ensure that the wood is well preserved. So you should choose a rack cover made of vinyl with sufficient water-resistance.
Airflow/Ventilation
Excellent airflow is one of the major benefits of choosing a top quality firewood log rack. With adequate ventilation, your wood can cure faster during the summer months and during the fall the moisture content would be about 25% or less. When your logs have the right amount of moisture, they will burn and produce adequate heat to keep you warm. You will also need fewer logs to produce the desired amount of heat. That is why you should invest in a high quality rack that has been designed to provide sufficient ventilation for effective curing and preservation of wood.
Conclusion
Choosing the best firewood rack for your logs w ill help you to preserve them and keep them in top condition so they can provide the optimum amount of heat for you during winter. The most suitable rack will be well built with durable metal material, a waterproof rack cover, adequate airflow, and a visually appealing design.