Had to try it. My First (and Last) Holz Hausen!

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pen

pen

There are some who call me...mod.
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Hearth Supporter
Aug 2, 2007
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N.E. Penna
It certainly isn't as pretty as many you'll find in a google search but I think it is solid. A lot of work is involved with one of these.

Here she is:

holzhausen.jpg


The dimensions are 8.5 feet across, 5 feet till it pitches, 7.5 feet total. My calc puts that at a total volume of what should be 2.5 cord. In reality, I can't believe it is any more than 2 cord flat.

The whole time I built it I kept imagining my grandfather saying "Why the hell are you trying to fit a square peg into a round hole."

I decided to build this because I had moved rock into this area and was going to traditional stack here by building permanent ends. However, I thought I'd try something different. I can't believe I actually used a step ladder for stacking wood. Nothing like adding more work to an already labor intensive job.

I am happy with it overall and feel that it is sturdy enough that I don't have to worry about it falling on my 3 year old. He knows to stay away from the wood but kids are kids so I make sure it is as safe as possible. It's also received some comments by neighbors that were positive which is always nice. People around here in general have never heard of such a thing. After building one, I'd say that their lack of knowledge is in their best interest!

Put another check box next to things on the to-do list as a result of reading / being a part of this site!

pen
 
Pen, it looks great. I do not have the patience for that .




Zap
 
I'm with you Zap. No patience but........nah, I need to master normal before I go trying something different.


fv
 
I sooooo want to try one of those. Hopefully this year.
 
I like that stack and think it looks great.
 
That looks good Pen. I'm working on my second and third HH right now. Definitely more work but it looks better IMO, and when you amortize that extra work over the 3 years it will be seasoning (live oak in my case) it's worth it. In my case I could pull my truck right op to the HH and just stand on the bed rail and stack from there.
 
It looks like wood does dry faster in a HH.
 
SolarAndWood said:
It looks like wood does dry faster in a HH.
Click to expand...

Looking at literature online you'll find folks claiming that these will dry wood in a few months. After stacking one and seeing how much empty space there is in there as square pieces are being forced into a round shape, I'd buy it. However, many folks who have posted here claim it slows drying down based no their experience.

I used wood that has been stacked for a year and a half already. The pile fell over so I figured if I was going to rebuild that I might as well do it this way since dry time isn't an issue w/ this wood.

pen
 
Great job Pen. Been meaning to try but my wife will laugh at me too much!
 
Nice one Pen i'm going to try one someday when I get farther ahead.
 
NIce work Pen, 1st one is always a bit of a learning curve. You will find the future HH"S are a breeze.
 
adrpga498 said:
NIce work Pen, 1st one is always a bit of a learning curve. You will find the future HH"S are a breeze.
Click to expand...

Do you have an average size that you build yours? Mine would have been a lot easier if I hadn't gone 8.5 feet wide.

pen
 
pen said:
It certainly isn't as pretty as many you'll find in a google search but I think it is solid. pen
Click to expand...
My ass it isnt. Thats a top notch HH IMO. More than most of us here can claim fame to aint it?
 
Loco Gringo said:
pen said:
It certainly isn't as pretty as many you'll find in a google search but I think it is solid. pen
Click to expand...
My ass it isnt. Thats a top notch HH IMO. More than most of us here can claim fame to aint it?
Click to expand...

I agree, no way I could make one that nice.
 
Thank you. W/ a 3 year old running rampant, I tried to make something that is functional / safe.

pen
 
pen said:
SolarAndWood said:
It looks like wood does dry faster in a HH.
Click to expand...

Looking at literature online you'll find folks claiming that these will dry wood in a few months. After stacking one and seeing how much empty space there is in there as square pieces are being forced into a round shape, I'd buy it. However, many folks who have posted here claim it slows drying down based no their experience.

I used wood that has been stacked for a year and a half already. The pile fell over so I figured if I was going to rebuild that I might as well do it this way since dry time isn't an issue w/ this wood.

pen
Click to expand...

I was going to say that the wood looked seasoned already. Looks nice.
 
Looks great Pen! That must have taken you a week to do..

Ray
 
raybonz said:
Looks great Pen! That must have taken you a week to do..

Ray
Click to expand...

I'd say it took me right about a 12 pack to complete. If it were straight stacking I'd only have needed 8 beers or so.

pen
 
Ya gotta appreciate a man whos measurements are in beer consumption. Kudos my man.
 
pen said:
adrpga498 said:
NIce work Pen, 1st one is always a bit of a learning curve. You will find the future HH"S are a breeze.
Click to expand...

Do you have an average size that you build yours? Mine would have been a lot easier if I hadn't gone 8.5 feet wide.

pen
Click to expand...

Yes Pen, I will only build mine with a 4 pallet base. GIves me plenty of room for the 1st layer of verticles on the inside. My 1st HH was a 6" diameter base, Worked ok ,but 8 foot base is the way to go from now on. A bigger base makes things easier and stays very stable. No buluges etc. You can always find a foot hold, no need for a ladder if you only go 7' high. Cheers
 
I've built two . . . and honestly don't think there is much more work involved in building the holz miete (or HM as they should properly be called) . . . in fact in some ways I find them easier to stack if you have odd-ball wood, wood with branch nubs, etc. as you can use them odd-shaped pieces as you are stacking . . . or just toss them into the middle. I think the key is to have a stable base and start curving your wood in earlier than you think you should so you don't end up needing a step ladder to reach the top.

That said . . . I also don't think there is any real advantage to the holz miete either . . . other than it looks cool and is self supporting. It may hold more wood in a smaller footprint . . . but even that I'm not sure is entirely accurate -- probably depends on how tall you stack.
 
You can see my first one in my icon. It was a 10 foot diameter, 8 foot high (almost 5 cords) and that is way more wood than an 8 footer (you are right, maybe 2 2.5 cords). I found an 8 footer to be a breeze to build, just one outside layer and throw the rest in the middle. You will find they are much more of a conversation piece. Drying faster, not really, but they are cool. Nice job.
 
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