Holz Haufen (hauzen) or straight rows of wood?

[woodzilla]

Good morning everyone. I've got about a full cord worth of ash to split and stack today. I've decided on a spot in the yard for stacking that is 10' wide and 26' long. It is about the only level spot available. I have been looking at the Holz Hausen postings and can't seem to determine if its the best way to go. I'm looking for the best method of storage in that space. I am willing to take extra time if it is worth it. I guess my biggest question is if I were to go with straight rows...how much space should be left between each row. Can anyone here with experience in the HH structures give some feedback?

 

[moondoggy]

sounds like a big day no matter what.

i really want to make an HH but i know it'll
A) fall down
B) look crappy, then fall down
c) look crappy, then i'll knock it down and be frustrated that i waisted all the time and just build it straight.

however, confidence and desire will prevail one day and i'll try it.


you feeling confident? you said you read up....
you just gotta be more then 50% sure you can do it and have the time right?

pictures if you attempt please.

 

[woodzilla]

I will be happy to post. Just put the bibs and boots on to head out. Don'tthink I'll have enough wood for completion today.

 

[savageactor7]

I'm done with all the labor wasted stacking wood, the cave in's the continued tarp wrestling. Last couple of years we just heap up it up in a huge pile...put the Kubota in 4wd and I drive up there at a 35* angle and just keep dumping it on. Course we live out in the boondocks...don't think you could get away with that in trendy long island.

 

[woodzilla]

Game delay...too much ice still on top of grass to make a level base. Got wood split though. Gnarliest ash I've ever seen! Don't know if half of it would even be usuable as a holz stackable wood. Maybe stack tomorrow am.

 

[archer292]

Not an easy task ! Finished one after two days of stacking. Fell an hour later with a little push. I'm going back at it today. Keep the sides straight or angling in ( like a pyramid). Take care when stacking the wood in the middle. It seems to push everything outwards as you start to get some height. Mine looked like a big light bulb just before it came down. If I had the land I would stack it in rows. Good Luck!!

 

[ericjeeper]

Holz hausen They are a beautiful form of art. They will hold more wood than you can imagine.. Pain in the arse to build. The secret is to start out with your bottom perimeter of wood already leaning in.. So make sure you lay wedges all the way around the circle first.Then have some small say 1-2 inch wide splits to add in occasionally to add to the outer edge to keep the lean.
You need to have a post in the center so you can fill in the middle with the wood standing on end leaning against the post instead of leaning against the outside wall.

 

[adrpga498]

Eric gave a great explaination.
I working on my 5th Holz this week. I only had a partial collaps on the 1st Holz I built 2 years ago. I enjoy the look, space saved and no need to cover. And as mentioned before these things hold alot of wood in a small area . By the way I have had single rows collaps in the past too. Maybe the avatar gives away my favorite way to stack since trying it the first time. Best of luck which ever way you choose to stack.

 

[woodzilla]

Well, I ended up going with rows for now. I have 3rows started with 14" between each. I think they will aerate properly. Yesterday's splits will make good center material for a HH. Maybe try when I get a larger back log(ha ha) of wood available.

 

[begreen]

I say do both, be creative. By clever placement of the rows (dashes) and holzes (dots) you can send morse code to pilots flying over. Or if you have Eric's stash of wood, maybe by astronauts on the ISS .

... - - .. .-.. .

 

[woodzilla]

maybe a wall with watchtowers around the property

 

[Molson]

I have an old satellite dish in the yard, the huge ones. I'm going to rig it so it points straight up, and use the pole as the centre for my HH, the top of the dish will make a great roof that I can line with splits, the black will attract heat, and the whole thing will look better than just an old black dish in the middle of the yard.

 

[moondoggy]

great idea.. now i have to shop craigslist for dishes..

PICS PLEASE

 

[Molson]

I'll definatly post pics of it. Right now there is still 4' of snow in the yard.

 

[backpack09]

Has anyone tried wrapping there holz in chicken wire? I would think that the fencing might help prevent the slumping and eventual failures of these monsters. I will build one some day too... but I will need to do some leveling in the side yard to attempt it.

 

[archer292]

Hope this works this time. I'm axious to see if one seasons faster than the other. I still have to cover the top of the stack.

 

[moondoggy]

shizzam!!
that rocks man, i'd be affraid to stand near it..looks high..is it sturdy?
but damn man, nice job.

 

[gpcollen1]

Hope this works this time. I'm axious to see if one seasons faster than the other. I still have to cover the top of the stack.

What is the diameter on that puppy?

 

[archer292]

Very sturdy this time. The stacking of the splits on the inside is what I think can cause problems. The ends need to contact each other. On the first attempt I was wedging the pieces in. The weight of the next level would force the wedge down and expand the whole thing. I thought the weight of the spoke splits would be enough to hold the inside pieces in but it wasn't. Even if it was to fall, it doesn't topple as you would think . It kind of crumbles. I think the stacks are actually more apt to be dangerous. The diameter is 7 feet.

 

[woodzilla]

that is awesome workmanship. How much wood would you estimate?

 

[archer292]

I really don't know. I read somewhere that at 7ft wide and 7ft high comes out to around 2 1/2 cords. With the rate my insert burns I'll need three of them for a season.

 

[savageactor7]

Very nice pile of wood you have there archer...you must have the patience of a saint.

 

[archer292]

Actually not all that much for patience but the thought of dealing with the wife after covering half the yard if I stacked it in rows was enough for me to get it done. When I finally get a grip on this insert and then heat the house for a season with free wood, well that should help the situation. I have been struggling so far but after reading more and more I'm convinced I can't make a complete judgment of my insert without truly dry wood Then there's the guys who say that the HH won't season any faster than conventional rows or that red oak needs 2 yrs to season. I sure hope not. The thought of dealing with the wood man again...... Makes my stomach turn.

 

[savageactor7]

Hey nothing cures wood better than being out in the weather like you have it there. I have never burned oak so I'm no expert but feel fresh wood spit and stacked like that now will be ready to burn in Oct...but like I said I've never done Oak...

...and yes, absolutely you'll be much happier with your stove burning seasoned wood. You can take that to the bank.

 

[iceman]

Actually not all that much for patience but the thought of dealing with the wife after covering half the yard if I stacked it in rows was enough for me to get it done. When I finally get a grip on this insert and then heat the house for a season with free wood, well that should help the situation. I have been struggling so far but after reading more and more I'm convinced I can't make a complete judgment of my insert without truly dry wood Then there's the guys who say that the HH won't season any faster than conventional rows or that red oak needs 2 yrs to season. I sure hope not. The thought of dealing with the wood man again...... Makes my stomach turn.

i got wood that was "seasoned" in the last week of nov
now most of it has cracks and so forth in the end of it.. while it is not seasoned it is oak and was covered most of this winter..completely covered
it burns much better than before and i can not wait till next year (this coming winter) because i know it will be much better...point is your wood will burn .. if we/you have a hot summer you'll really be all set