Why Is a Log Rack Better?

A log rack is a simple wooden or metal frame that keeps firewood neatly stacked and seasoned. 

You’ve probably spotted them around the neighborhood: tidy rows of logs resting in their metal cradles, waiting to be tossed into a fire pit, fireplace, or wood stove.

But are log racks really necessary?

Some handy wood-burning enthusiasts use stacked pallets, upcycled plumbing pipes, DIY cinder-block-and-lumber structures, or even repurposed cabinets or appliances like refrigerators to store their firewood. Others stack wood in a “log-cabin” pattern, framing the pile with posts, or build a simple elevated base from lumber.

Yes, these are all relatively simple, inexpensive solutions. Hacks, if you will. 

But no, they can’t provide all the benefits that a log rack might — especially considering that log racks are attractive, practical, and tried and true!

At HY-C, we’ve been in the log rack business since 1988, and we’re confident our decades of expertise will help you get exactly what you need.

They organize your space

This one goes without saying, but we’re going to say it anyway.

Instead of firewood strewn around your yard or piled haphazardly, a log rack keeps them in one elevated, convenient location. This promotes yard cleanliness and order, in addition to making your firewood more accessible in the cold, winter months.

When the temperature drops, I don’t know about you, but I like to spend as little time outside as possible. One quick there-and-back trip for firewood sounds most ideal to me.

They protect against pests

Lawn tidiness aside, a log rack also offers some pest protection.

Insects like termites, carpenter ants, and wood borers may be snacking on or seeking refuge in your firewood. Bees, wasps, centipedes, millipedes, beetles, stink bugs, scorpions, spiders, snakes, and even furry freeloaders like mice, rats, possums, and raccoons enjoy the same perks.

Because log racks elevate firewood off the ground, they also elevate it away from the primary pathways used by pests and rodents.

It’s recommended to keep your firewood approximately 20-30 feet from your home. That distance, combined with the rack’s elevation, significantly reduces your chances of encountering wood-loving wildlife.

They prevent moisture damage

The elevation of log racks protects firewood from mold and rot, too.

Firewood is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs and releases water like a sponge because of its porous nature. When wood sits on the ground, moisture absorption encourages decay. 

Log racks allow air to circulate fully around your firewood, promoting proper drying and reducing the risk of rot. This helps your firewood stay in good condition for longer storage periods without worrying about moisture-related degradation.

That means less splitting, fewer trips to your firewood dealer, and more money saved in the long run.

They improve wood quality and burn efficiency

According to the University of Missouri, one pound of freshly cut wood is about 57% dry wood and 43% water.

That feels like a lot of water, right?

Because heat is required to evaporate moisture in your firewood, wetter wood leaves less usable heat for warming your home. Burning wood that isn’t properly dried also leads to incomplete, inefficient combustion, increasing creosote buildup and potentially damaging your wood-burning appliances. Yikes.

Thankfully, a log rack keeps your firewood dry and burn-ready.

The air circulation spurred by log racks allows for your firewood to dry out naturally, burning hotter and cleaner. 

Do you need a log rack?

At HY-C, we get a lot of questions about log racks. When choosing one, we suggest paying attention to a few key factors:

• Size
• Material
• Quality

Our Shelter^® brand log racks are built with those factors in mind, and within that lineup we offer five models distinguished by what we call the three C’s: 

• Capacity
• Cost
• Convenience

Taking these into account, you’ll be well on your way to finding the log rack that best fits your needs. How much wood you plan to burn each season, your budget, and where you want to place the rack on your property are all important considerations (yet another C — sorry!).

Whether you read the whole article or skipped to the bottom for an answer, here it is: log racks are better than DIY alternatives because they offer proven organizational, protective, and efficiency benefits.