Length of splits?

[FionaD]

I'm running the Jotul F3 CB, which has an 18" firebox and recommends logs of 16" max. I'm unable to provide 100% of my own wood, so have to buy around half of it. Getting decent length splits is well nigh impossible in this country! The usual length is 10 inches and very few providers are willing cut to specified lengths.

After endless searching, I have found a quality firewood provider who offers 12 " as well as 9" splits and would cut me 14" and kiln dry them if I made a special order with at least two weeks advance notice. This would require extra logistics on my part, because storage space here is limited and I would need to time my log order so that it arrives just as my shed is almost empty and able to take a new load. So can I just ask you more experienced folk if it would make enough (or any) difference if I went from 12 to 14 inch splits? Or indeed would 15 or 16" be better still? I don't need more heat, but I'm hoping to get a little longer burn times and am thinking that filling those empty sides of the firebox a bit more may make a difference.. What do you think? Worth it or not?

I was in NY last month and feeling real log envy at the size of all those log piles and what seemed to be the standard length of the splits. I guess wood burning for many folk over here is supplemental heat in smaller rooms....or often purely ornamental, so most folk have smaller stoves. It's frustrating..

 

[TheRambler]

Going from 12 to 14in is a 17% increase in the fuel amount. So any increase in size will make a noticeable difference in burn times. Personally, I would do whatever was easiest and most economical. I think it would be fairly easy to estimate how many weeks of wood you have left and place an order a week earlier than expected. I would never want to get that low, but if your situation dictates that then it is what it is.

 

[stephiedoll]

Maybe not ideal, but could you load some E-W and others N-S to fill the gaps using a standard length? I end up with splits of all lenths so I just fill gaps with shorts or what ever lets me fill the stove up.

 

[firefighterjake]

It's pretty simple math really . . . the fuller the firebox = the more fuel you have to burn = more heat + typically longer burn.

 

[FionaD]

It's pretty simple math really . . . the fuller the firebox = the more fuel you have to burn = more heat + typically longer burn.

Aye...when you put it that way I feel like I've asked a pretty stupid question, "if I add more wood to my stove will it burn more?" I guess I was really wondering if the difference would be sufficient to merit the extra cost, guesswork (in terms of delivery time) and inconvenience. And really, only I can know the answer to that one.

Stephiedoll (What's it like like being a 'burning Hunk.'? ) yes... I am doing a mix of EW and NS loading at the moment. My firebox is pretty small though and sometimes NS sized splits are rare in my stack.

The main issue for me is around juggling delivery times and available log space. And wondering if that hassle is worth an extra couple of inches of log size... I appreciate its probably hard for folk in the US to get their heads around how little land/storage space most folk in the UK have... I can only store 2 months worth of logs at a time (burning almost 24/7), so if my next order needs to be made in order to be delivered in say two weeks, then I need to have an empty log store on exactly that day or whatever can't fit in the shed will get wet within hours. There's also the possibility they announce a slightly later delivery at the 11th hour, so id be logless for a few days.. Whereas if I get 12" logs I can order them today and they'd be delivered before the basket by my stove is empty.

Going from 12 to 14in is a 17% increase in the fuel amount. So any increase in size will make a noticeable difference in burn times. Personally, I would do whatever was easiest and most economical. I think it would be fairly easy to estimate how many weeks of wood you have left and place an order a week earlier than expected. I would never want to get that low, but if your situation dictates that then it is what it is.

Yes to all of that.. Helpful to think in terms of percentages. Thanks.

Just a pity I don't have more storage space for a backup supply... Maybe I need to sacrifice some of my garden (who wants flowers when you can have logs after all!) I will ponder on for a while. Sorry if my question sounded silly.

 

[weatherguy]

Not s stupid question, I'm in a similar boat, I have 2 years worth of 16" and my stove takes 21-22" so Im about 20% under capacity, if I do a layer n/s then put the longest ones I have on top I get a raging inferno. In two years I'll have the wood cut the way I want.

 

[Wood Duck]

I like to load my stove with some splits sideways and others front to back. I push the sideways splits to one side, leaving space for the front/back splits along the side where the door opens. The key is to know what length your stove will take from front to back. If ten inches is too long then you have a problem.

 

[brad wilton]

My stove takes 25 inch log I would have to Cut them to length myself fill up back end then go north south

 

[FionaD]

If ten inches is too long then you have a problem.

10 inches is just a bit too long to load NS.. And if there's any kind of strongish wind here, like to 70mph gusts we had yesterday, a NS load and/or short splits just burns way too fast, even with the air turned right down.

I'm thinking a 2 year log supply would pretty much fill my whole garden! Wish I could tho!

So.... From what I'm hearing here it seems to me that it would be worth getting 2" longer logs if I can find a way. I think I need to get a second log shed, find space for it somewhere, then I can get the first one filled when I am working from the second one, which will give me a two month order>delivery window and not much could go wrong there.... Maybe I could move the logs into my cottage and live in the log shed - problem solved!

Thanks for being my sounding board and telling me I'm not being silly. I just love this forum!

 

[firefighterjake]

For the record you're not being silly or stupid . . . the whole purpose of this forum is to seek out answers to problems, pose questions, etc.

 

[FionaD]

Thanks so much.. now I feel silly about feeling silly!

 

[Cynnergy]

I love your threads Fiona - they remind me of my time back in the uk (5 years in SW London and going back for Christmas this year).

Can you be creative with log storage? Stack a new shed on top of the old shed? Wood burning is becoming more popular - maybe there's some Swedish design experts (IKEA lol) who you could look to for a creative storage solution?

 

[FionaD]

I will certainly think about what I can do. Other challenge is that the logs need to be stored close to access from the road, so there's really only one small area I can use. It's not impossible though... Just needs some thinking through.

In the meantime ive taken the pressure off and just ordered another couple of months' worth of 12" logs - that'll give me time to think over the festive season. I might even leave any changes till the spring, gives me the summer to shift things about and try to make it happen.

I don't really know London .. Sounds like you have happy memories though..mi hope you have a great Christmas there..

 

[DTrain]

My Oslo can do 18-20". When I buck my own I use a measure from my elbow to the tip of my middle finger (19"). It's perfect. My wood for this season was bucked already elsewhere and I have 10s,12s, 14s, 16s. It's a game of Tetris in there!

 

[prezes13]

Not trying to be disrespectful but wouldn't be a better idea to buy compressed wood fuel bricks-logs? Or they are not popular in Scotland? It just seem to be very expensive to buy custom cut and kiln dried firewood.

 

[BrotherBart]

Not trying to be disrespectful but wouldn't be a better idea to buy compressed wood fuel bricks-logs? Or they are not popular in Scotland? It just seem to be very expensive to buy custom cut and kiln dried firewood.

The compressed fuel in Scotland is compressed dried Peat briquettes. Think charcoal briquettes.

 

[FionaD]

Hi, we have compressed peat and compressed wood fuel. I have tried these... (broken link removed to http://www.verdorenewables.co.uk) but I somehow don't like the way they burn... and I actually find the burn times to be shorter than logs which i know is not supposed to be the case! They take up the same amount of space too.. Thank for wanting to help tho..

 

[homebrewz]

I spent some time in Callander.. beautiful area.

I'd have to second the idea for creative wood stacking, if possible. Perhaps your garden could use a border made out of cord wood. Somewhere in the archives here there is a picture of a cottage with cord wood stacked up against it's walls.

 

[lml999]

Thanks so much.. now I feel silly about feeling silly!

Now Fiona, that's just silly.

 

[FionaD]

I spent some time in Callander.. beautiful area.

I'd have to second the idea for creative wood stacking, if possible. Perhaps your garden could use a border made out of cord wood. Somewhere in the archives here there is a picture of a cottage with cord wood stacked up against it's walls.

Awww..Bless your heart.. you're so thoughtful with all of your suggestions.. But such a thing would be madness in Scotland I'm afraid, unless we like to hear our wet logs sizzling away on a winter's evening. Logs over here simply must be completely covered up. See a pic of one of my log sheds. Its a clever design actually, the wind gets between the spaces between the two layers of planking.. not too apparent on the pic.


I get the spirit of what you're saying though - think out the box (as long as 'out the box' is a dry place!!) I am thinking...

Now Fiona, that's just silly.

Oh lawd!!

PS Callandar is the next village from me.. I love walking round there - and thieving dragging home the occasional fallen branch from the woods on the side of Ben Ledi too!