In many places around the world, winter falls during the festive season; hence, it comes with lots of merriment. However, the freezing temperatures can make it impossible to enjoy the sparky holidays that fall during this time. In light of this, many solutions have been contrived but the one that has proven to withstand the test of time is keeping warm using fire. For this, you’d need to use some type of fuel. Firewood is a good choice since it’s the most efficient and least dangerous one. In addition to that, having a fireplace, especially one that is in the outdoors, adds flair to a home.
The only setback that comes with this is the fact that you can’t use freshly cut wood due to its high moisture content. Ideal firewood that releases low emissions has to have around 15 to 20 percent moisture. To achieve this, you’ll have to season the wood which involves sun-drying it for a few months. This is where firewood racks come in. You can find the outdoor firewood racks in a number of leading brick and mortar stores as well as online shops.
Given the sheer amount of available choices, it might be difficult to choose a suitable outdoor firewood rack to keep your wood dry. Here are some tips that’ll aid you in selecting the best one.
1. Design is key
A good outdoor firewood rack serves a multitude of purposes, one of which is keeping your wood safe from moisture and vermin. In order to do this, the rack needs to store your wood at an elevated level. Firewood racks that aren’t well elevated can allow insects to access the wood and destroy it. If the stack is close to your house, some of these critters can gain access, and end up being a nuisance.
2. Durability and longevity
This is one of the most important factors to check when looking to buy an outdoor firewood rack. Given that the unit will be exposed to the harsh conditions of mother nature, the materials used in making it must be of high quality and toughness. This also ensures that the rack will be useful for a long period of time.
3. Protection from moisture
The firewood rack you choose has to be able to protect your wood from moisture. Some racks come with accessories such as tarps that can be used to cover the wood. Others even have specialized half covers that allow optimum air circulation on top of keeping the wood dry.
4. Affordability
It’s important to always stay within the bounds of your budget, even when looking for the best products. There are lots of decent firewood racks in the market that can be purchased without breaking the bank. Still, it’s important to note that racks that are high-quality and have more capacity are likely to cost more.
5. The capacity of the rack
This is another important factor to consider when looking for a firewood rack. Although the ideal capacity for you depends on the amount of wood you have, it would be wise to go for racks that carry more wood. This will ensure you dry as much firewood as possible while still providing considerable space for airflow when not fully occupied.
6. Built to last
It’s important to check on the construction of a firewood rack before making your purchase. Racks with solid construction will serve you for a long period of time. Moreover, you can rest easy knowing that the platform won’t crumble when you use it to keep large amounts of firewood. You can check on the rack’s sturdiness by paying attention to parts that have been welded together.
7. Accessibility
Inasmuch as firewood racks are meant to keep wood dry, when correctly used, they can also make it easy to access your stored wood. When purchasing one, ensure that they can be placed in an area where you can easily access it.
8. Aesthetic matters
Given that your firewood rack will be kept outside on your patio or yard, it’s important to take into consideration how it would look against your house. Thus, getting a rack that is aesthetically pleasing will ensure the beauty of the building isn’t lost. A great example is the Panacea 15209 40-inch Long Hoop which looks superb on the porch or lawn of any house.
9. Is some assembly required?
Some firewood racks do come while disassembled, requiring you to manually put it together by hand. When choosing one, make sure it doesn’t require the knowledge of a brain surgeon in order to build. On top of that, some racks that require assembly come with manuals that are written in foreign languages, making it even harder to build them.
10. Stability
Make sure your prospective firewood rack is stable enough to withstand strong winds before making a purchase. You wouldn’t want your seasoned wood to fall into a puddle and soak up, would you? A good way to go about this is going for racks made with sturdy material such as steel.
11. Size
Before committing to any firewood rack, make sure you have enough space to accommodate it. This ensures that the wood gets enough air whilst seasoning. On the other hand, you don’t have to compromise if you have the luxury of space.
12. Warranty
Lastly, it wouldn’t be wise if you don’t consider the warranty of your prospective equipment. Always go the extra mile to confirm if the firewood rack you are about to purchase has a valid warranty.