I was filling my Firewood rack yesterday and thought I would suggest some tips and advice on how to stack the wood. This is typically for firewood that is already cured but you can use the advice for stacking your wood in the spring.
The first stage is to stack all the first layer of wood with the points pointing upwards. Typically for this layer you want to use quarter cut logs, where possible pick pieces with the bark intact. The bark of your log is already designed to prevent moisture ingress, compared to the white center wood. By putting the bark nearest the ground it puts a natural barrier to moisture creeping up through the firewood rack.
This method also provides a very strong and sturdy base for your firewood stack, which will significantly reduce the risk of your stack falling over. Once you have laid your base layer with quarter cut logs with the points facing up your ready for the main body of the stack.
At this point there are two techniques.
The first is to keep the logs in the same direction but to stack them alternating between pointy up and pointy down. This method results in a strong stack and is my preferred way.
The second technique is to alternate the direction of the logs every 2 layers. So place the firewood point tip up, then pointy tip down. At this point some people change the direction of the logs so they go the length of the stack and repeat. It is felt by cross laying the logs it builds a stronger stack.
One of the best techniques you can use is a combination of the two. At the ends of your firewood rack stack them using the second technique, this provides a straight end. It also prevents the logs from falling down as it is vertically stacked. In between these vertical stacks I use the first method.
This technique leads to a slightly more complex wood stack but I believe it is the best way to generate a secure firewood rack. The last tip for your wood stack is how to finish the top. Similar to the bottom of the stack I like to put the logs bark up at the top of the stack. This method stops moisture getting into the wood stack.
As your building your wood stack you are likely to come across logs that are warped, these tend to be pieces of firewood that have been warped or where a branch broke off the tree. Likewise you may come across round pieces of wood. When building my stack I tend to throw these into a small pile of there own. If you have a good firewood seller there shouldn’t be that many in your order.
Due to the shape of these pieces they can make you stack very unstable so these pieces should be put on the very top of the stack. My personal use of these pieces is as kindling though. I tend to split these pieces into kindling sticks. I find that if you split the logs small enough you can get enough kindling to last the winter. By splitting the logs you also make it easier to store them.
If you have advice or suggestions on how to stack a firewood stack please let us know below. For more advice on Firewood and firewood racks please visit Firewood rack