Split wood or unsplit for an OWB?

[mtfallsmikey]

Personally, I think $300 is pretty salty....if you buy wood at all, buy rounds...I got a bit of a late start last winter, didn't cut until Jan./Feb. timeframe. Most of it has dried fairly well this summer, white oak dries slower than red/black oak IMO. I'm getting started on the remainder of this year's, and most of next year's supply.

 

[johncinco]

Personally, I split all my wood to "mother in-law" size. That way there is never any excuse why the stove has gone out.

But seriously, she likes to load the stove, goes outside to smoke a cig a couple times a day and brings in a few pieces, and can throw some in to the fire any time needed. Someone mentioned getting hurt and no one else could lift the big pieces. My 12 year old can pick up anything we have ready to go to the fire. Just for convenience sake.

 

[Jon E]

I'm learning as I go (been running OWB for a year continuously and for a year before that off and on while building the house). I have found that it's best to split as much as you're willing to physically handle. The OWB will burn green wood fine, and I tend to use it to "preheat" and dry large pieces sometimes, especially large knotty stuff that's been sitting around a while. But for efficiency, and saving your back, smaller split pieces dry better, burn better, and are easier to handle. Sometimes I'm happy just tossing two or three big chunks in there, especially on a wet cold day where I don't wanna be out there feeding the beast. Other days, I'll go out, use the time to carefully load clean split pieces, take my time, enjoy the day etc. I split what's easy to split with a maul and leave the rest.

 

[mimilkman1]

A lot of you say it is really important to have your wood dry. I am not going to have that luxury this year being the first year I am burning. I did not figure on doing this until just recently. All I have is green wood.
I wonder if I should buy a few cord of seasoned cord wood to add to my green.

It is selling for $300 a cord in my neck of the woods.

I plan to have my local tree man drop off a load of hard wood in log length and my new American splitter will be in next week. But that sure isn't't much time for wood to dry even if I give it hell right away.

A lot will depend on what kind of wood you are burning. Ash burns really well green. Silver maple burns ok while green, but just keep a close eye on the fire and you should do fine. Try to pick up some pallets or shipping crates from hardware stores to break up into small pieces to get fires going again. I have my dry wood separated from the green wood I cut this fall and I mix it in as I go. My first season I burned probably 2\3 green or unseasoned wood. I will burn quite a bit of green wood this year too, I just hope I can get further ahead for next year.

Kyle

 

[abohac]

I don't have the patience to read everyones post so if this is a repeat I'm sorry. Cut them short enough so that you don't smash a finger and leave them unsplit. Split only if you have to (isn't that why you bought that big fire box?) Your fir will stay a lot longer. Good luck.

 

[johnb]

Never split

Unsplit and Wet!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Hoosier

Hardy H4