Log Holders
What is a Log Holder?
For many people living in cold climates, the fireplace is an important aspect of their homes for both functional and aesthetic purposes.
Many people use their fireplaces for relief from high winter utility bills. Homeowners often use them for the atmosphere they create, and they often serve as a centerpiece for family gatherings or as a focal point for holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Fireplaces are so traditional and beautiful that we often find them built into homes in warm climates as well as cold. In many cases, those fireplaces are simply there for artistic purposes and do not actually allow for burning wood. For those with working wood-burning fireplaces, there are many accessories available both for function and for atmosphere.
One such accessory is the log holder. Along with pokers and tongs, log holders and log carriers are the most critical accessories that the fireplace owner can possess. During the cold winter months, it’s not practical to fetch wood from outdoors each time you need a log. Log holders allow us to stockpile wood with easy access to the fireplace.
We could always stockpile wood without a log holder, but log holders allow us a convenient and mess-free means. Some log holders are small and beautifully designed. These are perfect not only for their function but for the enhancement that they provide to the fireplace area.
Another type of log holder is larger and more suited to stockpiling large amounts of wood outdoors. These log holders are generally covered to keep the wood dry and have open bottoms that allow it to drain when it does get wet. Some log holders are lightweight and have handles so that it’s easy to carry wood into the home from the stockpile outdoors.
Log holders and log carriers are available in a wide array of sizes, shapes and designs. Some people have large fireplaces that burn a lot of wood while others have small fireplaces that burn one log at time. This diversity meets any need while also allowing the homeowner to find the perfect accent to match one’s home.
Log holders are both handcrafted and mass-produced in a wide array of materials. These materials include, but are not limited to, copper, iron, leather, wood, and wrought iron. Prices range from several dollars to several hundred dollars in styles such as racks, bags, loops, u-frames, covered, uncovered, so on and so forth.
Keep in mind that the log holder’s usefulness is not limited to holding wood. Many people incorporate them into their summer style by adorning them with flowers. One’s imagination is the only limitation.
Log Holder
Where can I buy a log holder?
If you're doing some online shopping you'll probably want to purchase items in addition to a log holder. If you're going to be picking up multiple items shop at Amazon.com. They're a great online retailer with a massive selection of log holders and other firewood accessories. In addition they're extremely reputable and often offer free shipping! Don't forget that Amazon.com is known for their bottom dollar prices so you can purchase a log holder their with confidence.
What to Look for When Purchasing a Log Holder
Log holders come in all materials, shapes and sizes. Craftsmen make some to withstand weathering, while others possess the interior flare to accent any hearth. There’s an endless variety to choose from, so finding that perfect log holder is not always a simple task. Here are seven considerations that will help you find the right log holder for your home.
1. Open or Closed Bottom
There are many log holders designed to serve multiple tasks, but they all serve one purpose best. Indoor log holders have full bottoms to trap dirt, wood and other debris. Keep wood dry at all times, but if a stockpile does become wet, then an open bottom allows it to drain.
2. Covered
If you keep your log holder outdoors, then it requires a cover. The open bottom will help, but it’s not enough if rain and moisture are constantly saturating the wood. Tarps make perfect covers, but if you’re buying a decorative log holder for your deck, then target one with an attractive, built-in cover.
3. Handled
Log holders with secured handles are easier to reposition or carry, but many log holders have decorative handles that don’t hold up well to abuse. Decide how often you’ll move the holder, and then target a strong handle, if necessary.
4. Theme
Some log holders are purely functional, such as racks for large stockpiles. In most cases, we want a log holder that is just as beautiful as it is functional. Bring a large, clear photo of the area where you’ll situate the holder, and use it to consider how the holder will accent the room or outdoor area.
5. Material
As mentioned at the introduction, a log holder can come in many different materials. Choose a material that suits your purposes well. Copper holds up indoors and out. Cast iron is gorgeous, but it’s not well suited to the outdoors. Wrought iron stands up to outdoor rigors. Brass is beautiful, but it also requires regular cleaning.
6. Year Round
For many, the log holder is an aspect of the fireplace year round. It is easy to blend a holder into a spring and summer décor with a little creativity. However, consider your year round style needs when making the purchase.
7. Capacity
That perfect, charming holder will lose its appeal once it forces you into the icy wind to fetch additional wood. Carefully consider your wood burning needs. If you burn a lot of wood during the winter months, then purchase a log holder with a capacity large enough to get you through a night.
With a little patience and these seven points, homeowners will have little trouble selecting that perfect log holder to adorn their fireplace or outdoor deck.