Stacking logs

[Steven P]

OK so I am moving my dry logs ito the garage this week (don't worry, the car has never got close to the garage, doesn't know what it's missing), and the part dried and fresh logs are to be restacked to dry where the dry logs were. I know this sounds like a lot of hassle but it frees up some drive space.

 

Just womdering if anyone has any fool proof ways that dry the logs quickest.

 

I am considering stackig them in rows against the wall, with an air gap of 5 - 10cm between the row, and using longer logs as a roof.

 

In the past I have made hollow circular houss withe the walls a couple of logs thick, plus a roof - the boys played in them in the sumer and the inside walls of the logs were always dry.

 

Sowhat are your top tips?

[Woodworks]

Stack with space for air to circulate all around. Pallets on the floor, slats at the sides and stacked off the wall as you have mentioned. Overhanging roof to keep the rain off.

[Stere]

Garage not ideal as may lack ventilation

 

I always just chuck them in pile loose apart from the front "wall"    too create plelntly of air spaces. Takes up more room though...

 

Also pallet at bottom and back.

[Woodworks]

15 minutes ago, Stere said:

Garage not ideal as may lack ventilation

 

 

Doesn't matter if they are already dry. One of my customers stockpiles loads in her garage but they keep perfectly in there.

[bilke_user]

Douglas fir, cut green in april, ready to burn now with a moisture content of sub 18%. 500mm long.  Stacked with plenty air around and through

[bilke_user]

If already dry, chuck them anywhere inside and they will stay dry

 

[Rob_the_Sparky]

I (a DIY type) do something similar.  Around this time of year I will empty the logs from my outside racks where they have been drying for a few months and transfer them to the garage.  It is not heated but is pretty well sealed plus I keep a de-humidifier running in there to keep the cars dry (fun car in storage over winter).  Single stack them against the walls with brick returns keeping the stacks in place, nothing clever needed as these are already dry (unless I have messed up!).  Approx 0.7m^3 per stack and I get about 5 stacks in there, plus the outside racks will get re-filled.  Garage smells lovely and dehumidifier is certainly not having any issues keeping the place dry enough to prevent condensation, which is my aim.

 

Outside I have made log racks from various things.  Simplest are "box" like pallets used for paving slabs turned on their side, stacked and some planks thrown on the top for a roof.  Also made one from 3 pallets, 2 planks and 4 nails + a roof from some old material.  N.B. all planks are from broken up pallets.

Then also have a posher rack made from old fence posts with rotten end cut off for main structure plus load of planks from broken up pallets for sides, back and roof (+ wood treatment to stop it rotting).

 

Nothing complex but the wife prefers the "posh" option!  Looks nicer than old pallets but doesn't dry logs any better.

[Steven P]

Ahhh, yes, the garage, I live in Scotland so fully expect it to rain for 90 days in the next 180, the logs have to get under cover somewhere

 

One thing I forgot to mention before, I make my log piles in sections - so for example tonight I movd some inside and took out a section - but because of this the logs either side didn't fall into the hole that made.

 

Got mine on a palet in the garage, but outsde I just raise them up on bricks - its a space thing that my log pile is longer andthinner rathr than square

 

[Rob_the_Sparky]

The slab "pallets/boxes" I use on their sides are not as big a standard pallet and made from hardwood, very similar to these.

 

[difflock]

Trying out new-to-me technology, fingers crossed.