June 4, 2011. Bill Szydlowski
credit: LarryHBMost people like to keep their firewood inside the house, right beside the fireplace so they can build or replenish a fire whenever they want. but if you really think about it, it’s actually better to keep your firewood out of doors, for you won’t have to deal with cleaning up after wood splinters and chips as well as the insects and mice that can roost inside the logs and crawl over your floor.
Once you find the right tool for outdoor firewood storage, you can rest assured that your firewood will stay dry and safe from the dangers of rain, snow and bug infestation.
The one thing you need for safely storing your firewood out of doors is a good outdoor firewood rack. It is important that your firewood rack has a cover, for it will shelter your logs from wetness. Your firewood rack should also be no less than a foot off the ground, for any contact with wet earth can damage your logs; and centipedes, millipedes, ants and termites like nothing more than to burrow inside damp wood.
Some firewood racks can be adjusted to a width that can accommodate your firewood, but you should get one that can safely hold the maximum number of firewood you plan to keep. Firewood racks come in a wide array of designs and finishes, and whichever style you choose, never compromise quality and durability for price or appearance. A golden firewood rack may sound like a good idea, but it’s better to get a cheaper one in steel or iron instead, for gold is soft and can bend easily. Safe firewood storage outdoors is more about function than form, and if you want, you can always get a nice fireplace rack for indoor use that can also complement the other decorations in your home.
Published June 4, 2011. Bill Szydlowski
