20200204-firewood-face-cord-bin-test1
Firewood

Testing new firewood crating system.

Hand stacking after the splitter is still the day to day routine around here. A little while ago I thought of how to make a cost efficient crate that can hold firewood, without having to stack.

Using materials already on hand, like a 36×48″ pallet, 5 pieces of 2×4 and two 4x8ft sheets of rebar mesh, I built this crate to catch the wood coming off the firewood processor.

Crate is 5ft tall, filled with 16″ long split wood.

When doing the volumetric math, capacity of that crate is 60 cu ft. General rule of thumb in the firewood industry, that is equivalent to 1/3 a cord (also known as a face cord).

We need to confirm the accuracy of that accepted rule. First step was to remove the rebar mesh side panel. I didn’t think it would collapse and spill out and to my pleasant surprise, it all stayed together.

Jenga anyone?

Now to pull the pieces out and stack it in a crate that is measured to hold a face cord. The results speak for themselves. Only bit left was a few scraps at the bottom of the rebar crate.

1/3 cord cord stacked out.

Which method do you think will allow the wood to dry better or faster? Loose in the crate or stacked in the crate? Post your comments below.

A Newfoundland born Canadian with a life long interest in woodworking, baking and anything else that peaks my curiosity.

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