I have played around with wood lengths from 16 - 24+" for the EKO 60, which has a 30" chamber length. Contrary to the seemingly obvious idea (to me) of longer lengths up to the chamber size being better, the longer wood tended to bridge. So I went shorter, and all I can say is, the last two cords I got in I told the supplier to cut it to 14". At that length, it looks almost like wood chunks, and it almost isn't worth stacking. However, I can fit two rows into the chamber, or I can put it cross-ways, or even vertical, with no issues at all. All I can say is, shorter is better. I have eliminated any bridging issues, and I can fill the firebox any which way I choose with no problems.
I am starting to think now if I cut it even shorter, say <<12". The wood starts to become more like some bulk fuel. With this last load of 14" wood, I started to stack it, then gave up, as the random pile on the floor was just about as efficient as stacking it, plus I will burn it up in a month or two anyway. I am starting to think about wood bins, holding the material in, rather than going through the stacking routine. Once you start to get below 12-14" in wood length, it starts to all look like chunks, or very large pellets, that you can handle randomly. I wonder what it would look like to cut all the wood into 6-8" inch lengths, and almost shovel it into the boiler?
I am starting to think now if I cut it even shorter, say <<12". The wood starts to become more like some bulk fuel. With this last load of 14" wood, I started to stack it, then gave up, as the random pile on the floor was just about as efficient as stacking it, plus I will burn it up in a month or two anyway. I am starting to think about wood bins, holding the material in, rather than going through the stacking routine. Once you start to get below 12-14" in wood length, it starts to all look like chunks, or very large pellets, that you can handle randomly. I wonder what it would look like to cut all the wood into 6-8" inch lengths, and almost shovel it into the boiler?
