Best Outdoor Firewood Racks and Holders

Being someone passionate about lawn care, I recognize the significance of possessing an outdoor firewood rack or holder. Not only does it keep firewood organized and easily accessible, but it also helps to keep the wood dry and prevent it from rotting. In this article, I will be providing helpful suggestions and reasons for my top picks for the best outdoor firewood racks and holders.

Before we dive into the different types of firewood racks and holders available in the market, let’s discuss the benefits of using one for outdoor use. Firstly, having a firewood rack or holder keeps the wood off the ground and away from any moisture. This helps to keep the wood dry and prevents it from rotting. Secondly, it keeps the firewood organized and easily accessible, making it more convenient for you to use.

The Benefits of an Outdoor Firewood Rack

An outdoor firewood rack will keep my firewood neatly tucked away and protected against the elements. When I place wood directly on the ground, it can soak up moisture and attract pests. A rack will keep it high, dry and less accessible to insects and rodents.

In addition, a good outdoor firewood rack will allow air to circulate so that my wood dries out or gets ‘seasoned’. Wet wood is difficult to light, hard to keep burning, and can emit thick smoke that will clog my chimney with creosote deposits. Dry or seasoned wood burns cleaner, longer, and more easily.

Unlike indoor firewood racks, outdoor log holders are designed to hold large quantities of wood. The best outdoor firewood racks are also made with strong, durable materials that can withstand the elements including rain, snow, sunlight, and freezing temperatures, so I can leave them outdoors year-round.

The Best Outdoor Firewood Racks and Holders

These are our top picks for the best outdoor firewood racks and holders that can handle heavy loads of wood and all sorts of weather without buckling under the pressure. Plus, they have attractive design features that will look great in your yard, on a patio or a deck.

Woodhaven 8-Foot Firewood Rack

• Dimensions: 96 x 14 x 48 inches
• Weight: 46 lbs
• Warranty: Lifetime

When it comes to strength and durability, you can’t go wrong with a Woodhaven firewood rack. Proudly made in the US, each Woodhaven log holder features high quality materials like heavy-duty alloy steel and welded frames for extra stability. This 8-foot model can store up to a half cord of wood if you pile it high, and it comes with a specially designed cover that keeps the top rows of wood dry while allowing air to circulate to the rows below.

This robust firewood rack comes with everything you need to put it together including two wrenches to secure the nuts and bolts. It should take less than half an hour to put together. Once it’s assembled, the 16-gauge steel tubing and arc welding ensure that it sits solidly in place without wobbling. It also has custom designed tubing caps to prevent it from slipping.

The cover is made of reinforced vinyl that protects the top layer of your firewood from rain and snow and it automatically moves down as you take out wood. Meanwhile, air can flow freely through the bottom layers of wood. This prevents mold and mildew and helps season your wood. The steel frame is also weather-resistant with powder coating to ward off rust.

Pros:

• Made of durable 16-gauge steel
• Frame is welded for extra stability
• Reinforced vinyl cover protects top layer of wood
• Comes with wrenches for quick assembly
• Lifetime structural warranty

Cons:

• Expensive

ShelterLogic Adjustable Heavy Duty 8-Foot Firewood Rack

• Dimensions: 15.5 x 96 x 46.6 inches
• Weight: 36.7 lbs
• Warranty: 1 year

The ShelterLogic Heavy Duty 8-Foot Firewood Rack is another strong, sturdy rack that comes with an adjustable cover to keep rain and snow off the top layer of your wood. The short cover leaves the bottom layers open so that green wood can dry out and mildew and mold are less likely to set in. As an added bonus, the long rectangular rack looks attractive when loaded with rows of firewood. 

The tubular steel frame keeps wood off the ground, which is great for preventing wood rot and insects from setting up camp. It is also open on all sides for ventilation. The dual bars along the bottom and sides hold wood securely in place and disperse the weight evenly for better stability. When fully loaded, the rack can hold about a ⅖ cord of wood or roughly 2,200 pounds. 

Place the polyester cover onto the side bars of the rack and slide it smoothly, ensuring a snug fit. Adjust the cover to match the height of your wood pile, and securely attach it by fastening the velcro tabs, ensuring it stays in place. When you need to grab more wood, you can simply slide the cover up or undo the velcro fasteners for easy access. The cover can accommodate logs up to 24 inches in length.

Pros:

• Strong powder-coated steel frame
• Cover adjusts to protect top layer of wood
• Open-air design for ventilation
• Parallel bars disperse weight for stability

 Cons:

• Bars may be too wide apart for some logs

Amagabeli 8-Foot Firewood Rack with Waterproof Cover

• Dimensions: 96 x 14 x 48 inches
• Weight: 28.1 lbs
• Warranty: N/A

If you live in an area that gets wet, windy weather, you might want to consider a firewood rack that comes with a full cover so that you can protect all of the wood on the rack. This model by Amagabeli features a heavy-duty fabric cover with PVC backing that extends all the way down the bottom layer of wood. It also has multiple closure points to keep it securely in place or for easy access when you want to remove wood.

The frame is made of thick tubular steel that can handle up to 650 pounds without bending or breaking. The parallel bars distribute weight evenly and they connect at the base with a series of long screws and reinforcement bars. The bars are spaced 14 inches apart, which is perfect for holding standard split logs up to 24 inches long. The high sides allow the rack to hold up to half a cord of wood.

Comfortable handles on the cover make it easy to slip it over the firewood. It’s made of rugged 600D Oxford fabric that won’t tear when it comes into contact with wood. The PVC layer helps keep moisture out and the air vents allow air to circulate within. You can use the buckles, hook and loop closures, or drawstring cords to batten down your wood or open up various areas without taking the whole cover off.

Pros:

• Thick tubular steel frame 
• Can hold a half cord of wood
• Strong 600D Oxford fabric cover with PVC backing
• Air vents allow ventilation even when cover is on

Cons:

• Frame could be sturdier

Panacea 15206 Adjustable Length Firewood Rack

• Dimensions: 11 x 3 x 44 inches
• Weight: 11.4 lbs
• Warranty: N/A

Customize the length of your firewood rack according to the amount of wood or space you have with the Panacea 15206 firewood rack. Simple, straightforward, and very affordable, it includes two solid steel brackets that slide onto wood rails. You have to purchase the 2 x 4 lumber yourself, but you can choose rails in any length you like. 

To assemble the firewood rack, position the brackets so that the bars are upright, then slide the brackets over the 2 x 4’s on either end. You can secure them firmly to the lumber using the pre-drilled holes in the brackets and deck screws. The great thing about this system is you can swap out the lumber if you decide you need the rack to be longer or shorter or if it starts to deteriorate.

When the rack is fully assembled, the bars reach about 40 inches, which gives you quite a bit of space to stack upwards. The open-air design keeps the wood ventilated on all sides, including the bottom of the rack. The brackets space the boards 12 inches apart, which is ideal for most standard split logs. In addition, the upright position of the boards raises the rack about four inches off the ground.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Can adjust the length of firewood rack
• Strong powder-coated steel brackets
• Open-air design encourages air flow

Cons:

• You have to buy your own lumber and screws

Amagabeli Firewood Log Rack with Tools

• Dimensions: 36 x 10 x 10 inches
• Weight: 26.6 lbs
• Warranty: N/A

This heavy-duty log rack by Amagabeli has everything you need to start fires, keep them roaring, and even clean up around your fire pit. The wide rack can hold up to a ¼ cord of wood plus kindling in the racks on top. It also comes with four tools that hang from conveniently placed hooks on one side. The tools include a fire poker, shovel, tongs and a brush. 

The main log holder space has racks that sit four inches above the ground and it’s open on all sides, which allows air to flow freely through and underneath your logs. The two kindling racks at the top of the firewood holder are moveable so that you can adjust them to the size of your kindling. On the other side of the rack there are four hooks to hang the tools, which keeps the tools off the ground and close by when you need them.

At 26.6. pounds, the firewood rack is heavy enough that it won’t topple over, and the strong steel tubes can withstand 450 pounds of logs without bending or breaking. The steel is double powder coated to withstand rust and chipping, and that even includes the tools. This means you can leave the whole log holder outdoors on a patio, deck, or in the backyard without having to worry about wet weather causing damage.

Pros: 

• Can hold ¼ cord of wood
• Comes with four firewood tools
• Kindling racks are moveable
• Heavy-duty steel is double powder coated

 Cons:

• No cover available from the manufacturer

Artibear 8-foot Firewood Rack

Artibear introduces the 8ft Outdoor Firewood Rack, an essential companion for your fireplace, meticulously designed to keep your firewood organized, dry, and easily accessible. This heavy-duty log stand stacks your firewood neatly off the ground, enhancing air circulation, preventing moisture build-up, and minimizing wood decay.

Constructed with upgraded high-strength tubular steel, coated with a black powder finish, this firewood rack promises exceptional durability and longevity, resisting rust, chipping, and the most severe weather conditions. Its versatile 8-foot length provides ample storage space, effortlessly accommodating a substantial quantity of logs, while its compact design ensures minimal footprint in your outdoor or indoor space.

• Dimensions: 96 x 13.2 x 44.4 inches
• Weight: ‎19.29 pounds
• Warranty: 30-Day Return Guarantee

Pros:

• High Capacity
• Robust Construction
• Effective Design

Cons:

• Assembly Required
• Size

Hanover Galvanized Steel Woodshed Storage Rack

• Dimensions: 35 x 64.1 x 60.6 inches
• Weight: 49 lbs
• Warranty: 1 year

Another way to store your wood and protect it from the elements at the same time is with a woodshed. This simple and straightforward model by Hanover is made of strong galvanized steel and can hold up to 55 cubic feet of wood. The sides and roof prevent water from soaking your wood, and the open front and back make it easy to load and unload wood.

It may look like the wood sits directly on the ground in this woodshed storage rack, but the base actually has four metal racks that lift the wood and allow it to breathe. The racks also act as anchors for stability. In addition, there is a stabilizing bar across the back of the woodshed to keep your firewood in place. 

The galvanized steel frame, sides and roof are powder coated to make the rack resistant to rust. It is also resistant to UV rays, so it won’t crack or fade under strong sunlight. The sloped roof has gutters to direct rainwater away from your wood, and it’s strong enough to handle heavy loads of snow. This makes the Hanover Woodshed a great year-round wood storage space for all types of climates.

Pros:

• Can hold up to 55 cubic feet of firewood
• Raised metal base keeps wood off the ground
• Open front and back for easy access and airflow
• Sloped roof has gutters for water runoff

Cons:

• Assembly can be challenging

What to Look for in an Outdoor Firewood Rack or Holder

Ideally, I want a log holder that will look good, hold a decent amount of wood, and can take a beating and last for years to come. I also want to make sure that the rack I choose meets my specific needs. These are a few things I should look for when deciding on an outdoor firewood rack for my home.

When choosing the size of my firewood rack, I need to ask myself two questions. First, how much firewood will I be going through? Second, how much space do I have in my backyard or on the deck? If I only plan on having a few fires a year at my firepit, then I can get away with a smaller rack like the Panacea Hoop Rack. However, if I want to use my fireplace to heat my home during the winter months or plan on having multiple fires outdoors, I’ll need a larger log holder.

Before buying a rack, I should also measure the area where I plan to store my wood. This way I can ensure that my firewood rack will actually fit in my space. It should be noted that many of the firewood racks in this guide come in larger and smaller sizes, so I can choose the size that makes the most sense for me.

Durability

Materials matter when it comes to firewood racks. I need to be sure that my rack can withstand the weight of my logs without bending or breaking. After all, the last thing I want is for my neatly packed firewood to come tumbling down, especially if there is anyone in the vicinity.

I should look for strong, sturdy materials like galvanized steel, alloy steel or carbon steel. I can also look at how the rack is assembled to get an idea of how sturdy it will be. If it has screws or bolts to connect various pieces together, reinforcement bars, or welded corners, then I know it’s probably not going to come apart easily.

Air Flow

Air flow is important because the dryer my wood is, the better it will burn. A good firewood storage rack should be open on at least two sides to allow air to circulate. It should also keep my wood off the ground so that moisture doesn’t seep in or linger. If I live in an area that experiences damp, humid weather, I may want to buy a firewood rack that is open on all sides to improve the air flow.

Covers

If I’m planning on storing my wood in an open-air space, a cover is essential. A cover will prevent rain from dousing my wood and snow from piling up and then melting. I should look for firewood rack covers that are made with waterproof materials like polyester or vinyl. A good cover will also have features like fasteners and cords that allow me to adjust the cover to fit my wood pile, secure it firmly in place, and give me easy access to my wood.

Tips on How to Stack Your Firewood

Stacking firewood isn’t exactly brain surgery, but there is an art to doing it well. Wood that is well-stacked will stay securely in place, dry out quicker, and look more attractive. Here are a few tips on how I stack my firewood:

• First, I choose a place to stack my firewood that is dry and protected from rain and snow if possible. The area should also get good sunlight and air flow.
• Then, I start with a single layer of similar sized logs laid out side by side. I use my largest logs on the bottom for more stability and repeat with multiple layers.
• I can also stack my wood in alternating directions for each layer. This gives a crosshatch effect that allows for more air flow. However, it will also take up more room.
• I stack my wood bark side up. This gives it extra protection against water seeping down.
• Lastly, I place oddly shaped logs on the outer edges of the pile or the top of the pile so that they don’t cause instability in the stack.

Final Thoughts

I’ve found that a good outdoor firewood rack or holder can help me organize and protect my wood for years to come. I highly recommend the firewood racks in this guide, especially the  ShelterLogic Adjustable Heavy Duty 8-Foot Firewood Rack, because they’re made of strong, durable materials that can withstand heavy loads as well as rough wood and the elements. What’s more, they all have features in place to help season my wood so that I get better fires whether I’m burning my wood in a fireplace, wood stove, or fire pit.

If you’re not sure how or where to get firewood, you may find this article useful: Firewood Delivery Near Me.