Does split firewood burn better?

Split your logs: Split wood dries quicker and burns better than round logs. Depending on the size of the log, split the wood into halves or quarters. It should be easy to hold with one hand and be no more than 6 to 8 inches in width, with the ideal size being 3 to 6 inches for most modern fireplaces inside the home.

Why does wood burn better when split?

Split Firewood Produces More Heat

The density of wood refers to its physical mass. With a greater density, split firewood has more “stuff” to burn than whole logs. Using only whole logs consisting mostly of bark won't produce much heat, assuming you're even able to light it.

Is splitting wood necessary?

Firewood doesn't necessarily need to be split to season but splitting wood when it's green can help speed up the drying out process. If you're looking to season your wood as fast as possible be sure to cut the logs to length and split them prior to stacking.

When should I split my firewood?

The ideal time to cut firewood is in the late winter or early spring months. This allows for maximum drying time. Next, the shape: cut the ends of the logs as flat and square as possible so that they can stand sturdily for splitting. For this, we recommend the STIHL Pro Splitting Axe or STIHL Pro Splitting Maul.

What is the purpose of splitting wood?

Splitting wood creates smaller pieces of wood with less bark, so they ignite and stay lit with greater ease than whole logs. Splitting also expedites the drying or “seasoning” process. All firewood and cooking wood should be dry burning.

Smaller Firewood Splits Burn Better

Should I split firewood green or dry?

Although you can split wood while it's still wet, it is best to let it dry first. The lower the moisture content of the wood, the easier it will be to split because it gives less resistance when it is dry. However, split wood will dry faster than whole logs. There is more to learn about splitting and storing firewood.

Is it better to split firewood green or seasoned?

Green firewood is for the most part easier to split than dry, so try to split the wood as soon as possible after felling trees. And splitting the green wood speeds the process of “seasoning” (drying out) the firewood, which ensures more efficient burning.

Can I use a chainsaw to split wood?

It isn't recommended to split the logs using the chainsaw due to safety concerns, however, cutting the wood down to the appropriate size is ideal for the chainsaw.

What's the hardest wood to split?

Does split wood season faster?

Before you invest in any kiln or another method of quick seasoning, be sure to cut and split your wood properly. All types of wood will dry faster when they are in smaller pieces. Using a log splitter is the fastest way to split rounds into more manageable chunks of wood for the drying process.

How long does split wood take to season?

The key to seasoning lies in the word itself: Most firewood properly split and stacked takes at least a season to dry properly. For many of us, that is about six months. If you stack your wood in early spring, it should be ready to be put away for winter use by October.

Should I leave bark on firewood?

However fireplace owners should always follow certain safety precautions. One precaution includes removing the bark from the firewood. Bark has creosote, which can build up in the chimney and cause a chimney fire. Removing bark will also help you avoid insect infestations in firewood.

What size logs should be split?

It is a good idea to split pieces less than 6 inches in diameter because this increases the exposed area of the wood. The greater the surface area, the faster wood dries and the better it burns. Pieces 3 inches and smaller should be used unsplit.

Why is my firewood GREY?

How do you know when your firewood has been properly seasoned? A few clues: Dry wood is lighter in weight and has cracks on the ends. Dry wood turns gray, yellow, or deep brown as it dries (while wet, or "green" wood, is white, cream, or light brown)

What is the cleanest wood to burn?

Hardwood Firewood

Hardwoods such as maple, oak, ash, birch, and most fruit trees are the best burning woods that will give you a hotter and longer burn time. These woods have the least pitch and sap and are generally cleaner to handle.

What is the best smelling firewood?

What kind of wood should not be burned in a fireplace?

Watch out for any wood covered with vines. Burning poison ivy, poison sumac, poison oak, or pretty much anything else with "poison" in the name releases the irritant oil urushiol into the smoke. Breathing it in can cause lung irritation and severe allergic respiratory problems, the Centers for Disease Control state.

How can you tell if firewood is seasoned?

Seasoned wood will be darker in color than green wood, and may be cracking at the ends. Seasoned wood can also lighter in weight and the bark can be peeled off more easily than unseasoned wood. A moisture meter will be able to provide an accurate reading of whether firewood is fully seasoned or not.

How long does it take to season split oak firewood?

When using the air-drying method, you can expect oak firewood to take about six to 24 months to fully cure. If your oak firewood is still green and has a high moisture content of about 70% to 80%, allowing it to air dry for six months to two years should result in a moisture content of 20% or lower.

How tall should a wood splitting block be?

The height of the block should be between 12 and 16 inches; if you go much shorter than that, the block is likely to split prematurely. In terms of diameter, your block should be several inches wider than the wood you're splitting for both stability and safety. Stumps make handy surfaces and resist splitting.

Will firewood dry in a pile?

If stacked correctly with all pieces of firewood stacked horizontally, the completed pile will stand as long as the wood can endure. Within a three-month period, the stack will shrink from 10 feet to eight, as the wood quickly dries.