Noslo65
ArboristSite Lurker
Just wondering what size of splits people use?
How BIG O Splits
- Thread starter Noslo65
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Noslo65
ArboristSite Lurker
I was wondering about the diameter of the splits everyone uses. This winter was was first year splitting wood. Just ordered my first stove. So next winter I will find out how I did. Thought I would see what others shoot for. What diameters work best?
avalancher
Arboristsite Raconteur
I think that you will find that no "one size fits all" applies here. Folks that use a OWB have a tendency to split large, while folks like me who have an indoor wood stove split smaller. Some folks like big wood, some like it smaller.
I also depends on the species of wood, it is pointless to split small pieces of popular unless you plan on sitting next to the fire and feed away unless you are doing it just for kindling.
I myself split both large and small pieces. When bringing wood to the house, I make sure I have a selection of large "overnight" logs, some medium size that my wife can handle, and some small stuff to get that fire going quick in the morning.
split size is mostly your preference, as well as the size that you can fit into your woodstove, OWB, or fireplace. Nothing worse than trying to cram a log into the stove, have it catch fire, then realize that you are unable to get the whole thing into the firebox.:censored: :censored: :censored:
You would be amazed how fast you can travel to the back door with a flaming log
Just my two cents worth.
I also depends on the species of wood, it is pointless to split small pieces of popular unless you plan on sitting next to the fire and feed away unless you are doing it just for kindling.
I myself split both large and small pieces. When bringing wood to the house, I make sure I have a selection of large "overnight" logs, some medium size that my wife can handle, and some small stuff to get that fire going quick in the morning.
split size is mostly your preference, as well as the size that you can fit into your woodstove, OWB, or fireplace. Nothing worse than trying to cram a log into the stove, have it catch fire, then realize that you are unable to get the whole thing into the firebox.:censored: :censored: :censored:
You would be amazed how fast you can travel to the back door with a flaming log
Just my two cents worth.
Someone suggested this method and it's what I started to use. If I can palm the end and lift it with one hand I'm done splitting. If I can't... split it once more.
Ian
Ian
aandabooks
Addicted to ArboristSite
The door on my indoor wood furnace is 13"x13". Some of the 10-11" stuff I don't even bother to split. Others in that size I'll just split in half. Some stuff I split down to 3-4". I try to mix it up and bring in a bit of everything. The larger you can go for overnight burns the better. Small stuff to fill in and whole rounds in first.
wdchuck
Addicted to ArboristSite
just took a measurement, my fireplace insert door opening is 24.5in x18in. 12cubic ft inside or can take a bigger log than I'd care to handle.
I'll split fairly big.. but there's a limit to what is comfortable to carry.
I'll split fairly big.. but there's a limit to what is comfortable to carry.
I split as follows:
1. define the ideal size
2. start splitting a little bit smaller
3. continue
4. continue
5.continue (now you start to get bored or exhausted)
6. continue a little bit more
6.b and now again a little bit more
7. last pile, some more, common dont give in...
8. finish
If you now compare size of pt8 with size of pt2 you see it is considerable:jawdrop: bigger.
So you end up with a split pile with sizes a bit smaller and a bit bigger than your ideal size and thats just .... ideal.
1. define the ideal size
2. start splitting a little bit smaller
3. continue
4. continue
5.continue (now you start to get bored or exhausted)
6. continue a little bit more
6.b and now again a little bit more
7. last pile, some more, common dont give in...
8. finish
If you now compare size of pt8 with size of pt2 you see it is considerable:jawdrop: bigger.
So you end up with a split pile with sizes a bit smaller and a bit bigger than your ideal size and thats just .... ideal.
BlueRidgeMark
Addicted to ArboristSite
Yep. I like to have some big stuff for the sides, and smaller stuff in the middle. I build the first layer with a big one on each side, smaller stuff in between, then the second layer goes across that (90 angle) with big stuff. On a real cold night, I'll add a third layer parallel with the first using whatever fits.
As the smaller stuff burns up, the stuff above caves in to that hot area, and sort of creates a self-feeding fire in the center.
Works for me. I wouldn't want all my wood the same size.
Noslo65
ArboristSite Lurker
Well I have 4-5 full cords split. So I will see how I did and what works for my new stove next season.
Little off topic, but when trying to put in a big overnighter and can't seem to get it in stove all the way, I have a piece of hardwood flooring bout 28" long that I put the log on and the slide it in then pull out the board. Slides easier than bark/knot on door.
EastwoodGang4
ArboristSite Operative
splitting
Split you wood on the "big side" you can always split it again if it's too big, but you can't un-split it if it's too small for your liking. Hey sometimes it's nice to go out and split some bigger stuff down a little....gets you out of the house on a boring winter's day!
Split you wood on the "big side" you can always split it again if it's too big, but you can't un-split it if it's too small for your liking. Hey sometimes it's nice to go out and split some bigger stuff down a little....gets you out of the house on a boring winter's day!
ropensaddle
Feel Lucky
I want a bigger furnace the one I have will heat 4400 square feet
it is big enough really but I want one about 12' by 12' foot door
so I can just drop a grapple load or two and forget splitting!
I am thinking an old incinerator might do:monkey: I would heat house
shop and even have a blower at the furnace to stay warm loading
it is big enough really but I want one about 12' by 12' foot door
so I can just drop a grapple load or two and forget splitting!
I am thinking an old incinerator might do:monkey: I would heat house
shop and even have a blower at the furnace to stay warm loading
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