onlyfire 28″ Heavy Duty Log Rack Review: The Compact and Sturdy Solution for Tidy Firewood Storage

There’s a certain romanticism to a crackling fire, but the reality of getting there often involves a chaotic, sprawling pile of logs. For years, my own setup was a testament to this disarray. A makeshift stack against the garage wall, covered haphazardly by a flapping tarpaulin, was my “system.” More than once, I’ve stumbled in the dark, sending logs scattering across the patio, or reached for a piece of wood only to find the bottom layer damp and teeming with insects. It’s not just an eyesore; it’s inefficient and can ruin your carefully seasoned firewood. A good fire starts with good wood, and good wood needs to be kept dry, organised, and off the ground. That chaotic pile was failing on all fronts, turning a simple pleasure into a recurring chore. The search for a simple, effective, and space-conscious solution led me to investigate smaller, more manageable storage options.

onlyfire 28" Metal Firewood Rack, Outdoor/Indoor Heavy Duty Log Stores, Log Rack for Fireplace Wood...
  • 【Dimensions】This firewood rack measures about 27.7"L× 11.8"D ×33.3"H, 4 Feet. Holds ups to 60kg firewood.
  • 【Druable Material】Made of heavy tubular steel construction with black powder-coated finish, which provides a good optimal durability, rust and weather resistance.

What to Consider Before Investing in a Firewood Rack

A firewood rack is more than just a piece of metal; it’s a key solution for preserving the quality of your fuel and maintaining the tidiness of your space. Its primary job is to elevate logs off the damp ground, promoting 360-degree airflow which is essential for proper seasoning and preventing mould, rot, and pest infestations. This simple act of elevation ensures your wood is dry and ready to burn efficiently, producing more heat and less smoke. A well-designed rack transforms a messy pile into a neat, accessible stack, enhancing safety and aesthetics whether it’s placed by an indoor hearth, on an outdoor patio, or in a garage. It’s an investment in better fires and a cleaner, more organised home environment.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the classic struggle of limited space but a genuine need for organised wood storage. This includes homeowners with a fireplace or wood-burning stove used for supplemental heat or ambiance, apartment dwellers with a balcony and a small fire pit, or anyone who enjoys occasional backyard bonfires. They value neatness, efficiency, and a product that does its job without dominating the landscape. On the other hand, a compact rack like this might not be suitable for those who rely on wood as their primary heating source and need to store a full cord of wood or more for the winter. For them, a much larger, heavy-duty 8ft or 12ft rack would be a more practical, albeit space-consuming, choice.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

  • Dimensions & Space: Measure the intended location carefully. Consider not just the footprint of the rack itself, but also the clearance needed around it for easy loading and unloading. A rack destined for a narrow porch or a small hearthside space has very different requirements than one being placed in an open yard. The beauty of a model like the onlyfire 28″ Heavy Duty Log Rack is its vertical, space-saving design.
  • Capacity & Performance: Capacity is often measured in weight (kilograms) or by the fraction of a cord it can hold. A 60kg capacity is ample for a week or two of casual fires but will need frequent refilling for daily users. Performance isn’t just about holding wood; it’s about how well it protects it. Look for designs with significant ground clearance to ensure the bottom layer of logs stays perfectly dry.
  • Materials & Durability: The vast majority of racks are made from tubular steel, but the quality can vary. Look for heavy-gauge steel for strength and a powder-coated finish for rust and weather resistance. This coating is crucial for outdoor racks, preventing corrosion from rain and humidity and ensuring the rack lasts for many seasons.
  • Ease of Use & Maintenance: Assembly should be straightforward, ideally a one-person job with minimal tools required. Once built, the rack should be stable on its own but even more so when loaded. Long-term care is minimal; a simple wipe-down at the end of the season and checking for any chips in the powder coating is usually all that’s needed to maintain it.

Understanding these factors will ensure you choose a rack that not only fits your space but also meets your specific wood storage needs effectively.

While the onlyfire 28″ Heavy Duty Log Rack is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

Bestseller No. 1
Neo Large Black Firewood Log Rack Storage 150x40x25cm Holder Metal Shelf Stand Tall Steel
  • Durable black powder coated finish to help log rack withstand weather conditions
Bestseller No. 2
STLOVe® Firewood Racks, Metal Fireplace Rack, Indoor Outdoor Folding Fireplace Log Rack, Open Log...
  • 🌞FOLDABLE :Firewood racks small size and large capacity, have ample storage space. With a dimension of 19.7in(L) x 11(W)x 16.8(H)inches [50cm*28cm*42.5cm] when expanded.
Bestseller No. 3
HFHOME Log Store Indoors 2-IN-1 Firewood Log Rack, 2 Tier Wood Storage for Fireplace with Log Burner...
  • 【2-in-1 Portable Firewood Rack】HFHOME's unique design allows for stackable double-layer storage or separation into two units. Ideal for both indoor fireplaces and outdoor fire pits, it's easy to...

First Impressions: Minimalist Design, Maximum Impact

Upon arrival, the box for the onlyfire 28″ Heavy Duty Log Rack was surprisingly compact and lightweight. Inside, the components were minimal and efficiently packed: two side frames, a bottom support bracket, and a small bag containing the necessary screws. There were no superfluous parts, no confusing diagrams—just the essentials. The first thing I noticed was the feel of the material. The heavy tubular steel has a satisfying heft to it, and the black powder-coated finish is smooth and consistent, suggesting it will stand up well to the elements. Assembly was, without exaggeration, a five-minute affair. It consists of simply aligning the three main pieces and securing them with the provided screws. I didn’t even need to glance at the instructions. It’s a refreshingly simple design that prioritises function and stability. Once assembled, its 27.7-inch width and 33.3-inch height create a tidy, vertical profile that feels purpose-built for tucking into a corner or sitting neatly beside a fireplace. You can see its full specifications and dimensions online to measure for your own space.

What We Like

  • Extremely simple and fast assembly process.
  • Compact, vertical design is perfect for small spaces.
  • Substantial 6.8-inch ground clearance keeps wood dry.
  • Durable powder-coated steel construction resists rust and weather.

What We Didn’t Like

  • The 60kg capacity may be insufficient for heavy users.
  • Feels very light before being loaded, requiring a level surface for optimal stability.

A Deep Dive into the onlyfire 28″ Heavy Duty Log Rack’s Performance

A log rack seems like a simple product, but the difference between a good one and a bad one becomes apparent over time. A good one disappears into the background, reliably doing its job season after season. A bad one wobbles, rusts, and ultimately fails to protect your firewood. After putting the onlyfire 28″ Heavy Duty Log Rack through its paces, we can confidently say it falls firmly into the former category. Its thoughtful design and robust construction deliver performance that belies its simple appearance.

Build Quality and Durability: A Closer Look at the Steel Construction

The foundation of any good log rack is its material, and onlyfire has made a solid choice here. The rack is constructed from heavy tubular alloy steel. While it feels light when empty (weighing just 6.44 kg), this is deceptive. The structural integrity comes from its design and the inherent strength of the steel tubes. Once assembled, the frame is rigid and the joints are tight. We loaded it to its full 60 kg capacity with a mix of dense, heavy oak and lighter birch logs, and it didn’t show any signs of stress, bowing, or wobbling. It remained perfectly stable, a crucial factor for safety, especially if used indoors or in a high-traffic area. The true star of the show for long-term durability, however, is the finish. The black powder coating is thick and evenly applied, creating a non-porous barrier against moisture. We left the rack outdoors through several rainy days and saw no signs of rust or degradation. Water beaded up and rolled right off. This level of weather resistance is what separates a quality outdoor/indoor rack from a cheap, indoor-only model. This robust construction ensures that your investment will last for years, a fact you can verify by checking the latest price and owner feedback.

Design and Practicality: More Than Just Storage

Where the onlyfire 28″ Heavy Duty Log Rack truly excels is in its thoughtful, practical design. The dimensions—27.7″ wide by 33.3″ high—are a masterclass in space efficiency. It’s wide enough to hold standard-cut logs securely but narrow enough to fit comfortably on a small patio, in a garage corner, or elegantly beside an indoor fireplace. This compact footprint is what one user perfectly described as “neat and out the way.” It organises your wood without creating a large, imposing structure. However, the most critical design element is the ground clearance. The bottom support rod sits a full 6.8 inches off the ground. This is significantly higher than many other racks in its class and is a game-changer for wood quality. This elevation creates a massive air gap, preventing ground moisture from wicking up into your bottom layer of logs. It also allows for constant airflow underneath and through the pile, which is essential for seasoning wood properly and keeping it dry. Dry wood lights easier, burns hotter, and produces far less smoke and creosote. This single feature directly translates to a better, cleaner, and more enjoyable fire experience, a feature that really sets it apart in the compact rack category.

Assembly and Setup: From Box to Fully Loaded in Minutes

We’ve all experienced the frustration of “some assembly required”—vague instructions, misaligned holes, and a bewildering array of tiny parts. The onlyfire 28″ Heavy Duty Log Rack is the complete antithesis of that experience. The entire assembly process is so intuitive it barely requires instructions. You take the two “U” shaped side pieces and connect them with the single bottom crossbar. Eight screws are used to secure the three pieces together, and that’s it. The whole process, from opening the box to having a fully assembled rack, took less than five minutes and required only a single screwdriver. The pieces fit together perfectly with no forcing or wiggling needed. This simplicity is a massive benefit. It means anyone can put it together quickly and correctly, ensuring the final structure is as stable and secure as the designers intended. It’s a prime example of effective, minimalist engineering where no part is wasted and the user experience is paramount. This ease of setup makes it an excellent choice for those who aren’t DIY-inclined or simply want a storage solution that works right out of the box with minimal fuss.

Capacity and Real-World Use: Who is the 60kg Limit For?

With a stated weight capacity of 60 kilograms (approximately 132 pounds), it’s important to understand who this rack is best suited for. This isn’t designed for the off-grid homesteader heating their entire house with wood. Instead, it’s perfectly calibrated for the modern user. We found that 60kg of mixed hardwood translates to enough fuel for several long, cozy evenings by the fireplace or a full weekend of backyard fire pit gatherings. It strikes an ideal balance, holding a substantial amount of wood so you aren’t constantly running outside for more, yet remaining compact enough to not be intrusive. When we loaded it, we stacked the logs two deep, and the 11.8-inch depth proved perfect for standard 10-12 inch logs, keeping them stable within the frame. The tiered shelf design is simple but effective, creating a sturdy cradle for the woodpile. For the person who uses their fire feature for ambiance, relaxation, and social gatherings, this capacity is the sweet spot. It provides convenience and organisation without demanding a large, dedicated space for bulk storage. You can see how other users have loaded it up in customer photos to get a better sense of its real-world scale.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our positive experience with this rack is echoed by other customers. The most common thread in user feedback is an appreciation for its elegant simplicity and space-saving nature. The sentiment captured in the comment, “Great little set up, neat and out the way,” perfectly summarises the core appeal of the onlyfire 28″ Heavy Duty Log Rack. Users consistently praise how easily it tucks into small spaces on patios, balconies, or beside a hearth, instantly tidying up what was once a messy pile of logs. The straightforward assembly is another point of frequent praise, with many expressing relief at how quickly and easily it comes together. While overwhelmingly positive, some feedback points to its specific niche. A few users with high-volume wood-burning needs noted that the 60kg capacity, while accurately stated, meant they had to refill it more frequently than larger racks they had used previously. This isn’t a flaw in the product itself, but rather a confirmation that it is designed for moderate, not bulk, storage needs.

How Does the onlyfire 28″ Heavy Duty Log Rack Compare to the Competition?

The onlyfire 28″ Heavy Duty Log Rack fills a specific niche, but it’s important to see how it stacks up against other popular options that cater to different needs. From massive storage solutions to all-in-one packages, here’s a look at the alternatives.

1. AMAGABELI GARDEN & HOME 8ft Heavy Duty Outdoor Firewood Log Rack

Amagabeli Firewood Log Rack - Heavy Duty Log Stores Outdoor and Indoor, Large Capacity (244 x 122 x...
  • Firewood organized: Fireplace log rack measures 244 x 122 x 36 cm, 17cm off ground. Heavy Duty firewood storage rack can hold up to 1 face cord log. Perfect size to fit outdoor porch, backyard deck,...
  • No Rust: Heavy tubular steel construction of fire place log rack, black power-coated finish wood holder, rust resistant for optimal durability and wood log support.Can withstand 650lb of firewood.

If the onlyfire rack is a compact sedan, the AMAGABELI 8ft rack is a freight train. This is a pure bulk storage solution designed for those who burn a lot of wood and need to store it for the entire season. Its massive 8-foot length can hold a significant amount of a cord of wood, dwarfing the onlyfire’s 60kg capacity. This is the choice for someone with a large property who uses a wood stove as a primary heat source. However, its size is also its main drawback; it requires a substantial, dedicated outdoor space and is not suitable for small patios, balconies, or indoor use. It serves a completely different purpose, prioritising maximum capacity over a compact footprint.

2. NALONE 4FT Outdoor Firewood Rack with Cover

Sale
NALONE 4FT Outdoor Firewood Rack with Cover&Carry Bag Heavy Duty Square Strong Stand Rack with...
  • VALUE PACK WITH DURABLE MATERIAL - This firewood rack is made from 1.2mm thickened SQUARE steel tubes with a double powder-coated finish, which provides overall weather protection.While, the firewood...
  • MEASUREMENTS - Firewood rack: 4ft x 46 inch x 13.8 inch, firewood cover: 4.2 ft x 44.8 inch x 16.5 inch; Ideal for storing, drying, or heaping firewood; Fits outdoors and indoor, like on porches, in...

The NALONE 4FT rack represents a fantastic middle ground and a compelling alternative. It offers a larger capacity than the onlyfire model, making it suitable for more frequent users, but it isn’t as overwhelmingly large as the 8ft Amagabeli. Its key selling point is the inclusion of a waterproof cover and a log carrier bag. This all-in-one package provides immediate, all-weather protection for your firewood without needing a separate purchase. If your primary concern is keeping a medium-sized woodpile perfectly dry outdoors, and you value the convenience of an included cover, the NALONE rack is an excellent choice. It trades the ultra-compact nature of the onlyfire for more capacity and added weather protection.

3. AMAGABELI GARDEN & HOME Steel Indoor Outdoor Firewood Log Rack

Sale
Amagabeli Fireplace Log Rack 35 * 32 * 32cm Firewood Rack Indoor Outdoor Fireplace Log Holder Handle...
  • Sturdy & Heavy Duty: Durable firewood basket holder with dimensions of 35*32*32cm (L x W x H). Thick steel material and heavy duty construction design makes this firewood rack sturdy and durable for...
  • Tidy & Portable: Premium thick bottom base tray design with 2 open 12.4inch high side boards make this indoor log holder perfect to have the wood stacked neatly, especially the base tray which is...

This AMAGABELI model is less of a storage rack and more of a decorative, functional hearthside holder. With its cradle design and integrated handles, it’s designed to hold a small, curated amount of wood right next to the fireplace for immediate use. Its purpose is aesthetic and convenient, meant to prevent you from having to go outside every time you want to add a log to the fire. It’s a companion piece, not a primary storage unit. You would typically fill this small cradle from a larger rack like the onlyfire. Therefore, it’s not a direct competitor but rather a complementary product for someone who values indoor style and convenience.

Our Final Verdict: Is the onlyfire 28″ Heavy Duty Log Rack Worth It?

After extensive testing, our conclusion is clear: the onlyfire 28″ Heavy Duty Log Rack is a superb product that executes its mission flawlessly. It’s not trying to be the biggest or hold the most wood; it’s designed to be a neat, durable, and incredibly practical solution for organising a moderate amount of firewood in a limited space. Its genius lies in its simplicity—from the five-minute assembly to the robust steel construction and the all-important ground clearance that keeps wood perfectly seasoned. It solves the messy woodpile problem with an elegant and efficient design.

We wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone with a fireplace, a backyard fire pit, or a wood stove who values organisation and doesn’t need to store a forest’s worth of wood. It’s the perfect fit for urban and suburban homes, patios, and garages where space is at a premium. If you’re looking for an affordable, long-lasting, and effective way to turn your log chaos into tidy order, this is the rack for you. To get your firewood organised and ready for your next perfect fire, check the latest price and order yours today.

Last update on 2025-11-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API