Buying guide for Best firewood log carriers
It’s hard to beat the warmth and comfort that radiates from a wood stove or fireplace on a cold winter’s day. However, there is a fair amount of work that goes into maintaining an indoor winter fire, and one of the biggest chores is hauling wood from your woodpile to your hearth.
A firewood log carrier can help ease this burden. With a log carrier, you can carry wood in bulk while sparing your arms, shoulders, and back some of the strain. You won’t have to visit the woodpile as many times, either, which can be a real plus.
Firewood log carriers are simple in design, but there are still a few key decisions you will need to make when choosing one.
Key considerations
Size
The size of a firewood log carrier determines not only the length of the logs you can carry but also the number of logs you can carry. These products range in length from under 24 inches to over 44 inches and are usually a foot to a foot-and-a-half high.
Durability
You may be hauling up to 50 pounds of logs at a time, over and over. Therefore, your carrier must be durable. The canvas should not be flimsy, nor should the support webbing that typically lines the canvas. The majority of canvas bags are water-resistant; the best are also resistant to scratches and wear. Weak points may exist where the handles attach to the canvas bag. The best bags address this with double-stitching and even rivets for added strength.
Carrier weight
Because logs are already heavy enough, you don’t want the carrier adding to your burden. Therefore, a firewood log carrier should be lightweight — but not so light that it detracts from durability. Without logs, these carriers typically weigh between 16 and 20 ounces. Give careful consideration before buying a carrier much heavier or lighter than this.
Carrier storage
For ease of storage, find a log carrier that quickly folds up. Open-ended firewood log carriers typically fold easily. Some carriers with raised ends may be a bit more difficult to fold down into smaller form.
Expert tip
To add more waterproofing durability to your firewood tote, consider coating it with
NeverWet, a water-repellent spray for fabric.
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Features
Material
Firewood log carriers were once made largely from leather. These days, you would be hard-pressed to find one not made from canvas. And not just any canvas: firewood log carriers are typically made from waxed canvas that provides some degree of water-resistance.
Bag style
Open-ended: As you might expect, open-ended carriers do not have panels on the ends. While this might encourage bark bits and other wood debris to fall out, it also enables you to carry wood longer than the carrier length.
Basket-style: Basket-style carriers have raised panels, either short or tall, on each end. While this limits the length of log you can carry (they need to physically fit within the basket), a basket-style carrier can leave less of a debris trail from your woodpile to your wood stove or fireplace.
Webbing
The majority of firewood log carriers feature supportive webbing attached to the bag. The webbing can add considerable strength to a firewood log carrier, particularly if it is made from a cotton/polyester blend.
Straps and handles
Handles for a firewood log carrier are usually in strap form and made from canvas or a cotton/polyester blend. Much like webbing, a cotton/polyester blend offers more strength. The straps usually fold together to create one handle, although sometimes they fold to create two handles. The best handles are padded for comfort, positioned for stability, and securely attached. Some straps incorporate Velcro, which makes it easy to fasten two straps into one secure handle.
Closures and pockets
Firewood log carriers don’t usually ship with a lot of extra features, but two are worth mentioning. The first feature is a closure strap, which often uses a hook-and-loop fastener to secure the wood within the bag. This can be handy if you need to set the carrier down and don’t want the wood to spill out as soon as you do. The second feature is rare: pockets. You will find them from time to time, but they are not common. A pocket sewn into a firewood log carrier is handy for carrying gloves, rope, or other firewood accessories.
Color
As the majority of firewood log carriers are made from easy-to-dye canvas, you will find them in a variety of colors. These colors tend to be darker — browns, blacks, greens — for the simple reason that they will keep up their appearance long after a lighter color has given way to every smudge and stain. If you have a particular favorite color or wish your firewood log carrier to match your décor, add this to your list of “must-have” considerations.
DID YOU KNOW?
Look for rounded leather handles rather than strap-style handles, as leather handles are easier on your hands.
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Firewood log carrier prices
Firewood log carriers range in price from under $20 to over $30. You will typically find these in the $20 to $30 range.
Inexpensive
Firewood log carriers under $20 are simple in design with a lightweight and less-durable build. They tend to be open-ended and on the compact side. Firewood log carriers in this range are best for those who occasionally enjoy an indoor fire.
Mid-range
In the $20 to $30 range, you will find a wide variety of carriers, some with end panels and some without. Carriers in this range tend to be fairly durable and can withstand steady use.
Top-end
If you go through a ton of wood, a top-end firewood log carrier (usually over $30) is for you. These carriers are more durable and larger than other carriers, allowing you to carry a lot of wood at once. At higher price points, you will also find added features, such as multi-use straps.
FOR YOUR SAFETY
Be sure to pick up a sturdy pair of work gloves to protect your hands while carrying wood and stoking the fire.
STAFF
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Tips
- Firewood log carriers can carry other items, too. While designed for wood, you can use yours to haul anything that’s too heavy or awkward to carry by hand.
- Log carriers ease your burden, but they still require a bit of physical work. For some people, the work is still too strenuous. If this sounds like you, give some thought to a wheeled firewood cart instead.
- The larger the carrier, the more wood you can carry. Note, however, that more wood also means more weight.
- Before you choose a log carrier, measure your wood. Fireplaces and wood stoves can hold different lengths of wood, so it’s best to know the precise length of your logs and shop accordingly.
- Canvas material is not fireproof. Take care when using a firewood log carrier near a fireplace or woodstove. Be sure to store it well away from open flames, sparks, and high heat.
- Some log carriers are better for snowy conditions than others. If your woodpile is located in a setting where you might need to set it down on the snow to fill it, verify that any product you’re considering uses waxed canvas to shield it from moisture.
FAQ
Q. If I don’t like it, can I return it?
A. You might find your firewood log carrier uncomfortable to use, or you might discover upon its arrival that it does not fit your firewood length. While some sellers allow for easy returns for any reason, others limit returns to products with manufacturing defects. Be sure you know a seller’s return policy before submitting your order.
Expert tip
Totes with enclosed sides also double as a carrier for tools, rocks, toys, and even small pets.
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Q. How easy are firewood log carriers to clean?
A. It can be a dirty business, hauling logs. Log carriers accumulate bark and wood debris and may also be exposed to dirt, mud, and other materials. As such, it may be necessary to periodically clean your firewood log carrier. Fortunately, the canvas used in the majority of these carriers is fairly easy to clean. Start with a soft cloth and warm water, moving up to a mild soap or even a soft brush for tougher stains. Completely rinse your carrier to remove soap residue, and hang it to dry after washing.
Q. Are firewood log carriers difficult to use?
A. Due to their simple design, loading up a log carrier and toting wood is generally pretty simple. Carriers with sides are actually rigid enough to stand on their own when you fill them. Carriers without sides are typically laid out flat. Wood is stacked within the middle of the carrier, the two handles are brought together, and the carrier is lifted.
