How small do you go before you decide not to split it

[Andy99]

At what Diameter do you decide its not worth the effort to split it? I have been splitting by hand and have a bunch of smaller rounds. At what size do you not even try to split them just add them to the pile and move on?

 

[bartlett920]

I dont split anything smaller6-7 inch diameter unless it is green and I want it to dry out fast or if I dont have enough small wood. If it fits in the box save yourself some work and burn it!! My 2 cents worth.

 

[begreen]

Depends on the stove and firebox size. For the 602 and F3CB, no larger than 3-4". But for the F400 and the T6 I am splitting above 6".

 

[pinewoodburner]

4 or 5 inches, it helps it dry. Like hedgeburner said, some times the 6 of 7 inch will not get split. Just depends on how much splitting of the large stuff that I have left to do.

 

[savageactor7]

With the new stove I'm even splitting 4" rounds...and all my splits our smaller than what I did with our old non EPA stove. With smaller splits I can fully load the firebox without bashing the re-burner tubes at the top of the stove. It a PITA from what I was used to splitting but it all make for a smoother stove operation.

 

[gerry100]

Depends on when you plan to burn it.

For this coming season I'd split any green wood 5 inches or greater.

I'm a year ahead at this point so I pile up to 12" rounds , knowing they'll be out of the weather drying for 15- 20 months.

You can also pile the bigger stuff at the back end of the pile so you burn it last,giving it 3-5 months extra drying time.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

This year it's practically splinters as I was late getting some wood ready.

 

[Jags]

I use the forearm theory. Bigger than my forearm it gets split. (~5 - 6")

 

[Highbeam]

I use the ol' one hand theory. If I can easily grab a split by the end and pick it up for stacking/loading/burning then it is small enough. I also like them to be square or somewhat the same size in all directions.

 

[bluefrier]

If you have a big firebox I would use 6" splits to save time and energy.
I have a 1.8cu ft firebox so I aim for 3" splits.

 

[eba1225]

I usually split those larger than 5" as the hand theory won't work for me, as I can grab pieces up to 7" in diameter.

 

[myzamboni]

I use the ol' one hand theory. If I can easily grab a split by the end and pick it up for stacking/loading/burning then it is small enough. I also like them to be square or somewhat the same size in all directions.

Yes, the one hand theory is my rule of thumb :coolsmile:

 

[Todd]

If your talking unsplit rounds, I usually split anything 4-5" and over, mostly because they just don't seem to dry out as well due to the bark. I've seen 2 year old 4" Oak rounds sizzle in the firebox. As far as splitting size goes, I like a good variety of sizes anywhere from 3"-8".