No one can deny the hypnotic charm of an ambient fire. That's one reason why so many people these days own fireplaces and fire pits. Others in rural areas and on beachfront properties often opt for the traditional bonfire setting. Both fun and functional, whatever your reasons for owning one and wherever you live, you've most probably also invested in a sturdy log rack for convenience when bringing in more firewood. What you may not have considered, though, is how log rack covers are equally important to keep the fire going. Don't let damp logs turn your cookout into a wet blanket.

Aside from the obvious purpose of keeping wood dry, log rack covers also serve a few other useful purposes. Dry firewood is important for complete combustion, and it also cuts down on the amount of smoke produced. On top of that, covers help prevent insect infestations, not to mention a number of other creepy crawlers (like snakes!) who love nothing better than to make their homes in piles of wood.

There isn't much variation when it comes to material out of which log rack covers are made. Obviously, you're going to need something which is durable, waterproof and relatively flexible. That being said, vinyl and reinforced canvas are perfect materials. Covers come in a variety of sizes that are fitted to snugly surround most standard sized log racks. For larger racks and log piles, you may just have to use a tarp to cover everything. A good idea in that case is to weight the edges of the tarp to keep it from flying off or from anything getting underneath.

As far as design goes, you tend to see a lot of log rack covers with a front flap opening. Easier than a zipper or having to take the whole cover off when you've got an armful of logs, the front flap design is convenient to work. Some models of cover do not actually cover the entire rack, but rather fit around the top of racks to cover the uppermost regions of the log pile. If you're in a more urban setting, especially with a log rack that's against a building or away from wooded area, this may be all you'll need. Remember that although the lower wood might get damp if it is both windy and raining, you'll still only be pulling wood from the top of the pile (the dry wood). So unless you're throwing a mighty sized bonfire, the top row of wood is probably all that you'll need. In addition to shape, log rack covers come in a few different color choices, but mainly stick to muted earth tones or black. Obviously, a bright yellow or pink block of color in the backyard might be considered somewhat garish.

Woodhaven is one especially popular brand of log racks and log rack covers. Their metal outdoor racks are rectangular in shape with a black powder coating, and come in a variety of sizes, able to hold between 1/8 and a full cord of wood. All of their models come with matching log rack covers which are black and fit tightly over the top portion of racks. Made from a commercial grade canvas, they're practically invincible to the normal wear and tear from outside usage.