Firewood rack: how to choose one and how to store wood by the fireplace

A firewood rack seems like the simplest fireplace accessory — just a metal shelf for logs. In practice it decides whether the area around the fireplace stays tidy, or whether there’s always bark, sawdust and a poker leaning against the wall. Before you choose a model, it’s worth knowing what it’s actually for.

An indoor rack is not a woodshed

Your main wood supply should stay outside — under a roof, with airflow and off the ground. A rack by the fireplace does something else: it holds the supply for right now, usually enough for one to a few evenings.

That has two advantages. Wood brought in from outside has time to warm up to room temperature, so it lights more easily. And you don’t have to go out for every log in the middle of the evening.

Dry wood means more heat and a cleaner glass

Damp logs first have to evaporate their water, and only then give off heat. The result is a weaker fire, more smoke, blackened fireplace glass and a chimney that clogs faster. Fireplace wood should be seasoned, usually for at least one to two years depending on the species. A well-dried log is noticeably lighter than a fresh one, has cracked ends and makes a ringing rather than a dull sound when knocked against another.

A rack by the fireplace doesn’t replace this process — it stores wood that’s already dry.

What to look for in a rack

• Load capacity and stability. Hardwood logs are heavy. A rack should have a stated load capacity and stand firmly even when you take wood from one side.
• Shelves rather than a single basket. Two levels let you keep kindling separate from thick logs, and the wood doesn’t sit directly on the floor.
• Space for tools. A poker, brush, shovel and tongs on their own hooks put an end to hunting for tools and leaning them against the fireplace surround.
• Material and finish. Powder-coated steel resists scratches and moisture, so the rack also works on a patio.
• Dimensions. Measure the space next to the fireplace. A slim rack with a small footprint will fit even into a tight alcove.

Safety by the fireplace

Place the wood rack at the distance from the fire recommended by the manufacturer of your fireplace or stove. The ash brush is for cold ash — collect hot ash only once it has cooled, into a metal container. Knock bark and soil off wood from outside before putting it on the rack — there’ll be less dust indoors.

Our model

The Owell OW 6882 is a powder-coated steel rack with two shelves and a load capacity of up to 80 kg. It comes with four tools — a poker, brush, shovel and tongs — each on its own hook. At 34.5 × 30 × 76.3 cm it fits right next to the fireplace, and adjustable feet level it on an uneven floor or patio.