Building a firewood rack is not an easy task. It requires careful planning, proper materials and tools, and patience. This article will tell you everything you need to know about building a firewood rack for your fireplace or outdoor space. We will also provide step by step instructions that are detailed enough for anyone to follow!
Prepare your materials. You will need a saw to cut wood, nails for attaching the pieces together, and some time on your hands. The first step is to measure out the size of the rack you want to build. Make sure it’s not too small or too large because this could limit how much firewood you can store in it later! Next, decide which side of your house would be best for placing the rack. Keep in mind that if you place it on concrete or asphalt, then there should be some sort of protective mat underneath so that moisture doesn’t seep into the ground below.
What is a Firewood Rack?
A firewood rack is an important tool that helps you get your wood ready for the winter season. It keeps all of your logs organized and off the ground so they can dry out properly before burning them in your fireplace or stove. Not only does it help keep things clean, but it also makes managing large quantities of wood log faster and easier than ever!
You can find a variety of different styles and designs for firewood racks. Some are basic, while others have more features to make your wood storage even easier!
Why Build a Firewood Rack?
- Firewood will dry faster and more evenly. This improves its quality.
- It makes your firewood easier to access, especially during the winter months when you need it most!
How to Build a Firewood Rack?
- First, determine how much firewood you will need. You should plan for an extra day of wood per person in your household. Also, make sure that the rack is aesthetically pleasing and fits into its surroundings well!
- Next, decide on where you want to place it. Make sure there are no electrical wires or gas lines nearby as this could be dangerous. Also keep away from any other combustible objects like dry grass or leaves which may catch fire easily due to proximity!
- Then take measurements of the space available so that you can purchase materials accordingly! It would also help if you do some research online first before heading out shopping since many of the materials are interchangeable!
- After you have purchased your supplies, it’s time to get started on building this firewood rack. You will want to make sure that all of the wood is treated with a flame retardant coating so that they don’t catch fire easily during use or storage!
- Finally, assemble and enjoy having access to your fresh dry logs for cooking fires throughout the winter months ahead! If you’re not ready for this project just yet, check out our blog posts about other things related to camping like how to choose between free standing tents vs pop up tents or even what types of tent stakes work best in different climates? We hope these tips help inspire you when it comes time for any outdoor projects around your home.
How to Build the Frame for your Firewood Rack
The first step to building a firewood rack is to start with the frame. You can use lumber or steel beams for this part of your project, but ideally you should choose wood over metal if possible because it will be easier to cut and shape into the desired form. The size of your finished product will vary depending on how much space you have available in your yard, so take measurements before buying anything from the hardware store. If you are using wood beams, measure them out by marking off lengths onto each piece with chalk lines until they are all roughly equal in length. Once you have a few pieces ready, it is time to assemble everything together.
- Using screws and nails, connect the beams into a rectangular form similar in shape to your planned finished product. This will be the base or foundation upon which all other parts of your project are built from so make sure that this part fits properly before moving on.
How to Install the Shelves on your Firewood Rack
Measure the length of your shelf, and cut a piece of wood to that size. When you are cutting the boards for shelves or other pieces, make sure they are not less than 12 inches long. If necessary, use wooden braces under each end of the board to prevent it from breaking off before inserting into place on rack. Make as many cuts as needed based on number of shelves desired.
Keep in mind that the heaviest wood should be placed on lower shelves and lighter woods can be stored on upper levels. If you want to store different types of firewood, use a shelf for each type and label it.
The pieces should be sturdy, but not too heavy to lift. A good rule of thumb is that the shelves should weigh no more than 20 pounds each.
Continue reading for detailed instructions on how to build your own wood rack which you can customize however you want!
Finishing Touches and Other Ideas for Storage
- Use two types of screws when you build your rack. One is a flat head and the other, self tapping. If you do not want to make an obtrusive hole in your wall or door then use this alternative screw for better support on thicker wood pieces like large logs.
- Screwing right into metal studs can be quite tricky especially if it’s hidden behind drywall (you will need a drill with variable speed). You might even end up turning one screw too many leaving little marks on its surface which cannot easily be wiped off so it’ll be best to leave these areas unscrewed unless you have access from outside such as at the back of doors and walls where there are no obstructions.
- Hang your rack on the wall using eye hooks and picture hangers. Make sure to use sturdy hooks instead of just screwing them into thin drywall, this way you can hang several racks at once for more storage space if necessary.
Hanging a wood fire place tools holder is essential because it keeps other items from being piled up in front of the fireplace or carpentry work area which would be inconvenient as well as dangerous given that heat could potentially damage these objects over time even without an actual open flame present. It also makes it easier to grab whatever tool you need when trying to lay hands on one specific item rather than having little piles all over each other with no apparent order or organization whatsoever which would make things quite hectic and exhausting to deal with.
Even if you do not have a fireplace or work on carpentry, this is still useful for holding other items such as brooms and mops (for those of us who like keeping things clean) which can be hung up over the included hanger rod so they are kept away from dusting which will lessen how often it has to be done. You also won’t need much space in your closet since these tools would take up less room compared to having them just laying around all haphazardly.
You can even use an old bread basket that fits into the rack by simply hanging it inside without needing to drill holes into its lid or sides because then there wouldn’t really be a lid anymore. This way you can simply put a large cloth over the top to keep it covered and dust free as well as prevent any other objects from falling inside of it which would be quite bothersome especially if there are some small items that could easily get lost or misplaced among the bread crumbs.
You might even use this opportunity to begin storing your shoes by hanging them up so they do not have to take up space on your floor, just make sure these hooks can support their weight first before using one for each shoe because otherwise things will fall apart very quickly given how heavy footwear tends to be compared with lighter clothing such as coats and jackets.
This is also great for holding mugs but instead of metal hangers try using plastic ones so the handles don’t scratch and damage your other dishes. These can also be used for cups as well so you won’t need to worry about accidentally breaking them should someone decide to walk through or past your rack without paying attention since these are not only fragile but expensive especially if they come from a popular brand such as those made by Starbucks who has become famous all over the world for its delicious coffee drinks that could easily cost up into the triple digits depending on what type of drink is ordered (and how many extras, too).
This way there will be no more stacks of mugs taking up space in cabinets which makes it hard to reach anything at their back when cooking food in bigger pots using an electric stove top because often times these cannot be hung up on a rack because of the risk that they may fall off and burn someone nearby.
Additionally, you will need to make sure everything is as dry as possible before putting it away since humidity can cause mildew growth which could lead to deterioration or even rusting over time which would not only damage your wood but any tools stored inside such as screwdrivers and hammers (for those who like having carpentry work done). Otherwise, this should keep them in good condition for many years especially if properly maintained by wiping off anything that seems dusty or dirty after use with a slightly damp cloth instead of using harsh chemicals all over these items every few days just so they look clean enough for guests coming over. Not everyone has access to industrial sized bottles of cleaning supplies that can be potentially harmful to the health if overused.
If you are into fire safety then this is a great way for storing your wood instead of just leaving it in piles all outside which would create an easy target for any arsonists who may want to destroy everything you have worked so hard on with nothing but their bare hands and whatever they happen to find nearby (such as gasoline or another flammable liquid), especially since these tools only cost around fifty dollars each without any additional fees added onto them besides taxes when purchased through online retailers such as Amazon where users get free shipping with most orders placed that amount up past forty nine US dollars depending on how much weight there is inside that.
Tips for Storing Wood Outside Your Home
Store your wood off the ground on a rack or pallets. This will keep it dry and prevent bugs from getting to it. If you simply stack your firewood in a pile, moisture may build up between the layers while they’re outside and cause them to rot. Pallets also elevate the wood so that any rain runs right through without saturating all of it.
- Avoid storing too long by splitting regularly: Firewood needs room for air circulation throughout each piece, which means giving yourself regular opportunities to split what you have into smaller pieces. That way, even if you can only get out there once every two months or less often than that, at least some new logs are being exposed to oxygen and drying out. If you wait too long between splitting, the wood may rot.
- Keep your firewood stack off of the ground: Ground contact can cause moisture levels to increase and lead to decay or bugs getting into it. Elevating your logs is also a good idea because any water that runs underneath won’t be able to saturate them as much as if they were on flat surfaces. That way, even if you do get some mold growth in there over time, at least it will remain dry enough so that nothing becomes infested with insects or worms.
To prevent excess humidity from building up inside your home during damp weather conditions (which could otherwise promote rusting), keep most of the ventilation shut for around four hours after you’ve lit a fire. The wood will still release moisture as it burns, but the majority of that humidity should remain outside with your logs and be replaced by dry air from inside your home instead.
Put a few drops of cooking oil on a cloth or paper towel and wipe down each log before putting it in the fireplace for optimal burning performance: Cooking oils provide extra lubrication to help any sap or resin flow more easily once they have been ignited so that there is less risk of smoke being generated during use. They also create an easier atmosphere for flames to spread across pieces without getting snuffed out too quickly due to lack of oxygen contact.
The last sentence was supposed to say “They create an easier atmosphere for flames to spread across pieces without getting snuffed out too quickly due to lack of oxygen contact.”
Environmental Protection
Wood is a renewable, recyclable resource. It’s also easy to work with and can be found almost anywhere. Firewood racks can be made from a variety of materials and take up very little space.
Firewood rack plans typically include:
- Material lists with the quantity required for each piece; this includes hardware such as screws, nails or bolts where specified.
- Step by step instructions that run through the construction process in order to reduce any potential confusion and help ensure successful completion. The list may also indicate if there is an option available should certain information not be readily available on site (such as specific measurements). If so, it will often provide templates for those who want to make their own firewood rack rather than buy one premade.
Safety Tips
- Make sure your workspace is clean and clear of clutter.
- Keep a fire extinguisher close by in case something goes wrong.
- When working with any tools, wear safety glasses to protect against flying debris or other objects that may be kicked up from the saw or hammering action.
- Make sure you have adequate ventilation when working with any power tools.
FAQs
Is there a specific size I should make my firewood rack?
The length and width of the rack depends on how much room you have to build it in. You can always add an extra foot or two if needed, but once built it is harder to take away from what you already created. The height shouldn’t be more than about 48 inches since heat rises so keeping the stack towards the bottom will help protect your flooring and any wood stored closer up top may dry out too quickly.
Do I want logs stacked flat or diagonally (offset)?
Logs that lay flat provide better air circulation which results in a faster drying time for the firewood. Stacking them diagonally doesn’t really help or hinder this process but they may take up more room in your shed since logs need to be able to fit together like puzzle pieces without too much space left between each one.
How do I know how many rows of logs my rack needs?
Measuring out where you want it is important, so make sure that there isn’t any overhang into walkways and other areas that people might bump into. You can always cut off excess wood later if needed (like around the edges), but remember that extra foot of length will give you an extra row of storage which equals an additional log stack per layer (and possibly multiple layers if built tall enough).
What materials will I need to build a firewood rack?
To create your own you’ll want some basic supplies like: screws, square tubing (like metal or PVC), and wood. You may also want hinges for the door and latches to hold it closed as well as casters if desired so that you can roll it around easier depending on where storage is needed. If building from scratch C-clamps and a saw are helpful too.
What are some good firewood storage tips?
Keeping your wood stacked high will keep it dryer for longer, but make sure you aren’t stacking over the exhaust vents of any type. It is also important to check on it regularly since accumulated moisture may cause mold or mildew which can create a bad smell and attract bugs that eat away at leaves causing them to fall off more quickly. Make sure they have enough room so that air flows between layers too. If possible stack under an eave where rain water won’t collect as easily (like near the perimeter) and try not to place anything too close by like trees or other plants because their roots will suck up much needed nutrients from soil making growth difficult for surrounding plants.
Conclusion
As you can see, building a firewood rack is fairly easy. You will need to follow the instructions closely and take your time when assembling it. Keep in mind that even if some of the steps might seem difficult at first, they are actually pretty simple once you get them right.