My insert can take 22” wood loaded east west, but of course when fully loaded east west there is unused firebox space in front near the door so as to prevent logs from rolling into the glass. I know some people with a similar setup cut the wood much shorter and load north south. So my question is, for those who do or have done this, which way actually allows more wood into the firebox? I don’t want to go cut a bunch of short pieces only to find out it’s a wash.
North south loads in east west insert
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And usually less restricted air flow across more surface area of the wood.
But short pieces don't stack well at all in the yard.
I find a great way is N/S, E/W combo loads if you do have short pieces.
All true statements I believe, but from a volume or weight perspective does n/s allow more wood? If i load shorter pieces n/s, it will take more short pieces to fill the stove versus fewer longer pieces e/w. More short pieces n/s equals more voids between the pieces of wood, maybe idk? Anybody go full on nerd and try both ways while measuring weight or volume?!
If I were to venture a guess, I would say in my Stratford 2 I get probably 1/3 more wood loading n/s. Better airflow and easier to fill gaps.
E/W I typically can get 5 - 16" pieces (80" total). N/S with the same size wood I can get 9 - 12" pieces (108") plus some smaller stuff to fill gaps.
E/W I typically can get 5 - 16" pieces (80" total). N/S with the same size wood I can get 9 - 12" pieces (108") plus some smaller stuff to fill gaps.
I surely get more in N/S than E/W.
Whether it's worth it if N/S needs shorter lengths depends on what the goal is. If one has to maximize burn times for work or sleep purposes, it may be worth the hassle of shorties.
If instead the insert is used for additional heat and there is no issue having another system kick in when the stove dies down, then I'd say it's not worth the work and stacking issues to go shorter.
Whether it's worth it if N/S needs shorter lengths depends on what the goal is. If one has to maximize burn times for work or sleep purposes, it may be worth the hassle of shorties.
If instead the insert is used for additional heat and there is no issue having another system kick in when the stove dies down, then I'd say it's not worth the work and stacking issues to go shorter.
Wisco Shepherd
Minister of Fire
Another potential solution is to have a small stash of shorties using premium wood for your longest coldest stretches where you may "need" to get a big long heat and the rest of the time use your normal length.
I like this idea, one of these days I will take the time to see how much extra wood i can fit n/s versus e/w in my stove and that will determine if it is worth the extra work or not.
Offseason, load the stove EW as you’d normally load it. Then take it out and load it NS. If you have extra space at the top, you know the answer. You’ve lost the energy stored in the saw kerfs, but you may be able to put a lot more wood in.
I don’t think I’d experiment when I needed heat.
The plus is shorter wood should dry faster.
I don’t think I’d experiment when I needed heat.
The plus is shorter wood should dry faster.
Not sure how to compare that if E/W is longer than fits in N/S?
Wisco Shepherd
Minister of Fire
Comparing by weight if you have uniform species and seasoned wood may be an interesting data point.
I would suggest doing what @EatenByLimestone suggested with a full e/w load, weigh it, cut them to fit n/s and butting the cutoffs together, then cut some more to fully load it n/s, then weigh it again. Save the shorties for a cold day when you will be home so you can monitor the burn.
12" for my Stratford 2 isn't bad to deal with and I feel it's worth it, 8-9" probably wouldn't be worth the hassle except for a stash for bottom skids.
I’d cut them with a miter box, but any saw would work. You’d lose the energy (wood) in the saw kerfs., but if you could fit more in the stove you’d come out ahead.
I might try this just for fun for my f400 which is 8-9" n/s pieces. I normally pack it very full with 18-19" e/w pieces. My preference is n/s bottom and e/w above the bottom row, but those shorties always fall over when trying to stack them. For me it's not worth the hassle but i'd still like to know what the differences are in total load sizes.
Wisco Shepherd
Minister of Fire
I know, the NC30 at home is a no brainer. I will miss it when we move, but the Mrs insisted on a fireplace instead of a stove in the Northwoods. I kinda wish I had gone with a deeper box or argued harder for a stove...
Wisco Shepherd
Minister of Fire
I also had the fireplace vs woodstove discussion, but it came down to the fact that since I process all our wood I get to make the decisions on that front. She grew to love the stove.
The Stratford 2 is a sealed secondary combustion zc fireplace and does a good job heating in the Northwoods. With new, well insulated and sealed construction and gas forced air I don't mind the furnace kicking in. I did get the screen option allowing it to be used as an open fireplace for ambiance. Only used it a few times. Just kinda wish I had gotten something with a deeper firebox. Aesthetically speaking it is much nicer looking with the mantle and surround versus a stove sitting in front of a similar type of finish. I understand a stove would have heated better.
Wisco Shepherd
Minister of Fire
For insight on N/S loading or handling stove conflict with your spouse?
