Both wood-burning fires and stoves are easy to use and will save you money on heating and electricity in the long run.
Wood-burning fires are great at making the home feeling nice and toasty while wood-burning ovens give you an authentic, smoke-infused taste that’s impossible to replicate with any other way of cooking.
The only downside is that you need to make sure you have a constant supply of firewood, otherwise you may find yourself a little cold, hungry, or both.
And, that’s where the idea for a firewood shed came from. In the following article, we’ll take you through some of the benefits of using a firewood shed, as well as things to consider when buying one. Finally, you’ll get to see some of the most popular firewood sheds available and how they fare up in our review.
Benefits of using a firewood shed
There are many reasons as to why you should consider investing in a firewood shed or log store. The first and most obvious one is to have somewhere convenient to store a decent amount of wood so that you won’t run out when you most need it. If you have pets or young children, having somewhere to store the wood out of reach is essential.
Another added benefit of having a firewood shed is that it’s somewhere to season the wood. Seasoned wood burns much more safe and efficient than unseasoned wood. Burning unseasoned wood creates a lot of smoke and soot, which can become a fire hazard. You can buy wood that’s already been seasoned, but it will cost you extra each time. If you have your own firewood shed, you can simply season it yourself and save yourself a few bucks.
A good firewood store will also keep the wood protected from the elements. Wood that gets too wet won’t burn properly. It may also rot and start to mold, eventually turning it into unusable mush. So, to avoid this happening and to protect your investment, make sure you cover your wood.
Things to consider when buying a firewood shed or log store
Now that you know some of the great benefits of having a firewood shed or log store, we’ll take you through some of the things to consider when making your purchase:
Size
The first thing you should probably think about is how much firewood you intend to store. Do you want a storage area that’s adequate enough to store a few days worth of wood or a few weeks worth?
If you’re new to the world of log-burning, it can be difficult to know to determine just how much firewood you’re going to use. To avoid buying a firewood shed or log store that’s too big for your needs, first think about what it is you need the wood for. Then do a test to see how fast one log burns in each place you’ll be using it. This will give you a better idea of how much you need to store.
Location
The location of your firewood shed or log store goes hand-in-hand with the above point. While it may be super convenient to have enough wood at home to last you all winter, not everyone has the amount of space this will require. You need to find a fine balance between the space you have available to put your firewood shed or log store and the amount of wood you want to store.
Material
The two main types of material used to make firewood sheds and log stores is wood or metal, and the one that’s best for you will depend on a number of things. Wooden ones are the most durable but also require the most maintenance.
Metal log stores, on the other hand, are virtually maintenance-free and they too are very durable. But, they’re also the more expensive option.
Design
When it comes to storing wood, there are many different options to choose from. First, let’s consider the firewood shed. It should be functional yet not too difficult to assemble. Sheds are the better option when you have a lot of firewood to store and/or if you need to season your wood.
Log stores are a little more versatile than firewood sheds. This is mainly because on the whole, they’re much smaller. That being said, you can still get a 12-foot long log store quite easily, which should be more than enough for the average household.
Cost
The cost of a firewood shed or log store is largely dependent upon the material it’s made from. Those made of metals such as steel will usually be the most expensive. That being said, you do tend to get what pay for in terms of quality, so don’t compromise too much. And, as with most things, the cost of a firewood shed or log store will increase with its size.
Installation
This is another very important point to take into consideration when making your purchase. All firewood sheds will require some form of assembly, as will most log stores. If you’re a keen DIYer or have lots of people around to help, then your choice is pretty endless. However, if you don’t know one end of a screwdriver from another you may want to consider a smaller log store to begin with. Whichever option you do go for, just make sure the firewood is kept at least 12” off the ground. This will help prevent damage to your firewood from both moisture and insects.
How to stack your firewood effectively
The way you stack your wood is extremely important when seasoning it. Whether using a firewood shed or log store, always make sure you stack your firewood in an area that’s out of direct rainfall and has good drainage. The last thing you want is for all your freshly cut wood to go moldy and become unusable. Ideally, firewood should be seasoned for around 6 months minimum to ensure it loses around 80% of its moisture.
When it comes to the actual stacking itself, the first thing you should do is build a tower at one end by laying 2-4 pieces of split wood down adjacent to one another. Then, stack on another 2-4 pieces on top, and continue stacking until the tower is around 6 levels high or the same height as your log store. Next, build another tower exactly the same at the other end. These towers form the supports in which to hold the remaining firewood.
With the supports now in place, you can start stacking your firewood between the two towers. Try to stack the pieces loosely enough so that air can move freely between them. Just remember that wood will shrink as it dries which may cause shifting. For that reason always make sure the pieces are well secured. Continue stacking until you’ve reached the same height as the two end towers.
Top Firewood Shed and Log Storage Products
ShelterLogic Firewood Seasoning Shed
Available in 3 different sizes, the ShelterLogic Firewood Seasoning Shed is the ideal solution for anyone with a little free space looking to season their own firewood. The way this tent’s been designed means you’ll get burnable firewood in around half the time it would take to dry in the open air. It may be one of the higher-priced firewood sheds out there, but you do get a lot for your money.
It’s made using a heavy-duty steel frame that’s been powder coated to prevent any peeling, chipping, or rusting and a triple-layer polyethylene cover which is both waterproof and UV resistant and helps to retain the heat. There’s a floor vapor barrier included which keeps out excess ground moisture, while the screened air vents ensure there’s adequate ventilation within the shed. Just be aware that the assembly of this shed is a little challenging and will take at least two people a good few hours to erect.
Pros
- Dries wood fast.
- Durable frame.
- Waterproof and UV resistant cover.
Cons
- Quite pricey.
- Difficult to assemble.
The Woodhaven 12 Foot Firewood Log Rack
Constructed of 16-gauge, powder-coated steel, this Woodhaven Firewood Log Rack is one solid rack and is great for storing all your cut wood. It also has stainless steel nuts and bolts and arc welded end sections. It also comes equipped with a reinforced vinyl cover in which to protect the top of the stack from getting wet, yet still allow enough air to circulate around.
At 12 foot long, this rack is more than sufficient to meet most people’s firewood storing needs. It looks great, it’s not too hard to put together, and it’s super solid when in place. It even comes with a lifetime structural warranty for both the rack and cover!
Pros
- Both rack and cover super sturdy.
- Large capacity.
- Lifetime warranty.
Cons
- A little expensive.
- Only a half-length cover provided.
ShelterIt Straight Firewood Log Rack with Kindling Wood Holder
You get 2 great products for the price of one with this fabulous looking log store on offer from ShelterIt. This is by far one of the prettiest designs we’ve seen. And, not only do you get a beautiful, safe place in which to dry your firewood, but you also get a neat little compartment in which to store your kindling too.
With a square frame that’s made from solid steel, this rack is strong, functional, and looks great. It also comes with a waterproof cover to help keep your firewood dry and protected from the elements. Assembly is a little tricky due to the poor instructions, but with two people and a little patience, can be done within an hour or so.
Pros
- Great design.
- Solid steel frame.
- Comes with a waterproof cover.
Cons
- Poor instructions.
Landmann 82433 8-foot Firewood Log Rack
You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a decent place to store your firewood, and the Landmann 82433 Log Rack is proof of that. Made using tubular steel posts that have been powder coated for extra protection, this rack is pretty solid as long as it’s placed on a flat surface.
At 8-foot long, it’s not overly big, but big enough room to store a good amount of firewood. Assembly is easy and everything you need to put it together comes included in the package. The only thing that lets it down slightly is there’s no cover in which to keep your firewood protected from the elements.
Pros
- Great price.
- Easy to assemble.
Cons
- A little unstable if placed on an uneven surface.
- No cover included.
ShelterLogic 90403 Heavy Duty Firewood Rack with Cover
At first glance, the ShelterLogic 90403 Heavy Duty Firewood Rack looks pretty decent. It’s available in a 4-ft, 8-ft, and 12-ft size and is pretty effective at keeping firewood off the ground. Assembly is easy and it comes with a half-cover to stop your firewood from getting waterlogged in the rain.
However, where this log store falls short is the quality. It may have a frame that’s made from steel, but it’s certainly not high-quality. If you try and load it to its full capacity, the chances are its legs will buckle. Even the cover is pretty poor. The material is cheap, flimsy, and doesn’t fit well at all. Beware at all costs!
Pros
- Looks tidy.
- Raised legs keeps wood off the floor.
Cons
- Unstable.
- Overall quality shockingly poor.
Hopefully, you should now have a much better idea as to what to bear in mind when buying a firewood shed or log store as well as the kind of model you’d like to get.
In our opinion, the ShelterLogic Firewood Seasoning Shed is by far, the best option when it comes to storing your firewood. It’s very effective at drying out wood fast; it’s super durable, and it’s pretty easy to assemble.
There are various sizes to choose from to cater for everyone’s needs, and it looks pretty good too. Sure it may be a little more expensive than some of your other options, but considering all you’re getting for your money, it’s a steal!