Big 1 ton bag for wood storage?

[sgfarm]

What do you think about using the big one ton bags from fertilizer for firewood storage? I can get 4 or 5 a week from work and use my tractor to pick them up and move them easily enough.

Not much air movement through them. White so no solar gain to act as a kiln.

I saw the thread about the totes and while I love that idea, I cannot get totes cheap enough to justify it, but the bags are free.

I have been using the bags for trash and hauling old bricks and shingles to the dump.

Thanks

Mike

 

[paul bunion]

Not much air movement through them.

I'm not familiar with 1 ton bags, but if they are similar to 50# grain sacks I think that sums it up right there. Your wood will never dry stored in one. Although if you had a shed it might be real easy to put a weeks supply in a bag, haul it over to your house and drop it right outside your door. Keeping it nice and dry and neat.

 

[bogydave]

If I'm thinking about the same thing, we called them "super sacks ".
I think the "No air circulation" would be the killer to the bags.
Air circulation is the biggest part of drying firewood.

Some laid under the pallets will prevent grass & weeds.

 

[sgfarm]

Do you think if I cut slits or holes in the sides?
Could I use it for standing dead elm that does not need to dry much?

Just trying to minimize the handling and number of times I pick up a piece of wood.

Thanks

Mike

 

[StuckInTheMuck]

These people have a pretty good operation. http://jnfirewood.com/ I don't imagine the racks cost too much to build and they only stack once and deliver it to customers' houses in the wood rack. If you could rig up some forks with your tractor, you could do the same thing. Some people just build racks using a pallet for the base, two pallets for sides and diagonal pallet slats for structural stability.

 

[BobUrban]

I would think that if you had your wood stored outside and exposed until it was at an optimal MC prior to loading the bags it would work just fine and not unlike a storage shed for the winters supply. Just load the bags after a stretch of nice weather in the fall with the wood you plan to burn that winter.

I would not load them with any green or even less than optimal or moist wood though - My guess it would never dry properly and likely would mold and rot.

Do a test run and load a bag with a few dozen dry splits and leave it sealed for a few weeks before checking it out??

 

[Paulywalnut]

I think storing wood during the winter that is 3 years seasoned in those bags would be good.
That would give you a way to use them benefically.

 

[Jacktheknife]

My worry would be that outside moisture would get into the bag and cause issues even with already dried wood.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Do you think if I cut slits or holes in the sides?
Could I use it for standing dead elm that does not need to dry much?

Just trying to minimize the handling and number of times I pick up a piece of wood.

Thanks

Mike

Sorry Mike, I think that is a terrible idea. Even with holes or slits in the bags, have you ever looked at plastic at various time during all seasons of the year? Pretty common to see moisture on the inside. Not sure about you but we still have not figured out a good way to burn water.

 

[JOHN BOY]

Air dries wood the fastest and a good hot day in summer , Your not speed up the drying time unless you have a large wood microwave.

 

[sgfarm]

OK thanks for all of the input; back to the drawing board.

Maybe some pallet boxes.

thanks

Mike

 

[ballibeg]

Here we can buy vented bags of that size. Lots of firewood processors use them and rate them.

I've not cine across wood seasoned in them so no direct experience.

Dave

 

[Gary_602z]

How about 16 bushel wood apple crates? Saw some on Craigslist from a orchard for 12.00.

Gary

 

[Backwoods Savage]

OK thanks for all of the input; back to the drawing board.

Maybe some pallet boxes.

thanks

Mike

Still best to dry the wood in the open air. Then put it into a shed or box or whatever but the initial drying is best done by Mother Nature's wind.