Jotul400 log size

[Kevin Dolan]

I have just had a load of white ash logs delivered into my yard. They are 23 feet long and vary from 10 inches to 24 in diameter. My question is, how long should I cut these logs into and should I split them into four pieces? The jotul is sized for. 20 inch log but was wondering what others experience is and what would you do with this load?
Thanks for any advice.
Kevin

 

[firefighterjake]

Experience has shown me that cutting the wood about 2 inches shorter than the max size of the fire box works well . . . since oftentimes ash build up, the shape of the wood, knots, etc. may result in less than the maximum size and it stinks to have to pull out a flaming piece of wood that doesn't quite fit.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

I have a Jotul Rockland insert which states up to 24" log length in the manual. I try to cut to 20-22", and I haven't had any trouble fitting them in.The firebox is wider than 24", but if you put a log in all the way against the wall, its 24" to the edge of the opening. So give yourself 2-4" on extra clearance to take into account the width of the logs.

I would assume you would want to be in the 16-18" length for your 20" max length.

The 10" logs I would I would split once, 18" logs split into 4-6, and the 24" logs into 6-8 splits.

 

[adrpga498]

I have the Castine and I shoot for 18" all the time. If longer then 20" I have a pile that I cut in half that will be burned in NS direction.

 

[midwestcoast]

I now aim about 2-3" shorter than my max for N/S burning (so ~18" for me). I've tried going longer & got the odd piece too long and also had ash spilling out every time I open the door. Not worth it.

 

[Mr A]

I have the C450. 20" fits e/w, 12" n/s. I like to cut to 16", easier to stack into cords. I just cut a few splits in half with my 12" miter saw to load n/s. It's easy enough to do as I store a weeks supply of wood in the garage, the saw saw is close by. This way I also get sawdust to make firestarters- Sawdust in cardboard egg cartons, covered in melted candle wax.

 

[swagler85]

My stove will take 20" e/w and 16.5 n/s so i cut everything 16. That gives me the option of burning either way. If I load e/w I can just put a split or two in the extra space at the end but usually load n/s. That is something I didn't do at first but learned along the way.

 

[swagler85]

I have the C450. 20" fits e/w, 12" n/s. I like to cut to 16", easier to stack into cords. I just cut a few splits in half with my 12" miter saw to load n/s. It's easy enough to do as I store a weeks supply of wood in the garage, the saw saw is close by. This way I also get sawdust to make firestarters- Sawdust in cardboard egg cartons, covered in melted candle wax.

For the starters do U compress sawdust in? And how much wax? Thanks

 

[Mr A]

For the starters do U compress sawdust in? And how much wax? Thanks

I press it in a bit but not a lot. I get some wax melted and just pour it over, no real measurement, just pour slow, it will soak in, and fill to the top. Clothes dryer lint works good also. I've also made them with chainsaw shavings. I got a lot of candle wax from a neighbors garage sale pretty cheap. Beats making newspaper knots

 

[JBinKC]

The size of your burning area is generally 11L x 20W x 11average H. 17-18 inches would be ideal length wise. For splitting most of your pieces should be 3 to-6 inch range on each face cross sectioned. 9 inches is about the largest piece on one face that I would attempt to use in the stove.( i.e. 9 inch round cut in half 9x41/2 ). I find smaller works better than bigger and with the gift of easily split ash I would make them the ideal range size. Reserve your larger pieces for the difficult splitting pieces and species.

 

[swagler85]

I press it in a bit but not a lot. I get some wax melted and just pour it over, no real measurement, just pour slow, it will soak in, and fill to the top. Clothes dryer lint works good also. I've also made them with chainsaw shavings. I got a lot of candle wax from a neighbors garage sale pretty cheap. Beats making newspaper knots

Thanks, I have a few boxes of noodles that were destined for starters. And just found a bunch of wax in an investment house we bought. Will be trying those soon

 

[DianeB]

Our firewood sold to us as 16 but many are actually 18. We find the 18 works better and makes for a hotter stove. We re-split a week's worth over the weekend as the splits they deliver are too large for our Castine. The way they are split we could only get 3 large ones in there. We split many in 1/2 again as they smaller pieces help pack better. Much easier to split an already split piece. We also cut our own firewood from scrounging and trees taken down on our own property. We used to cut it to 20, will now cut it to 18. We are cutting our 20's to 10's to use for north south for some fires.

 

[Tuneighty]

Thanks, I have a few boxes of noodles that were destined for starters. And just found a bunch of wax in an investment house we bought. Will be trying those soon

I have found placing the lid of the egg carton underneath to be effective in keeping the mess to a minimum.

 

[Retired Guy]

I have just had a load of white ash logs delivered into my yard. They are 23 feet long and vary from 10 inches to 24 in diameter. My question is, how long should I cut these logs into and should I split them into four pieces? The jotul is sized for. 20 inch log but was wondering what others experience is and what would you do with this load?
Thanks for any advice.
Kevin

I like 16" in mine.

 

[Kevin Dolan]

Our firewood sold to us as 16 but many are actually 18. We find the 18 works better and makes for a hotter stove. We re-split a week's worth over the weekend as the splits they deliver are too large for our Castine. The way they are split we could only get 3 large ones in there. We split many in 1/2 again as they smaller pieces help pack better. Much easier to split an already split piece. We also cut our own firewood from scrounging and trees taken down on our own property. We used to cut it to 20, will now cut it to 18. We are cutting our 20's to 10's to use for north south for some fires.

How do you like burning a ns fire with smaller splits?

 

[gandrimp]

16" for me. I also like my wood split to be flat verses a triangle, It helps to get the thing full.

 

[Kevin Dolan]

16" for me. I also like my wood split to be flat verses a triangle, It helps to get the thing full.

When you mean full do you mean really full, stuffed to the gills and just about on the glass?
If I have any amount of ash I have trouble loading up with larger splits and have to use small stuff, having being used to larger splits, I sometimes struggle with small stuff. It definitely gets the fire going quicker and hotter fast but years of burning big stuff makes for downsizing troubles
So loading up the castine is an art and I would love to hear how you do it and how long it burns.
Kevin

 

[Paulywalnut]

I have the 400 castine also. 20" is tight. I like 17"
gives me wiggle room for some I cut a little long.
Put the cuts offs on the edges N/S. 4 or 5 inch across
if possible.

 

[ailanthus]

I shoot for 18". Square/rectangular splits definitely help fill the firebox, as others have mentioned.