What size wood for VC Intrepid?

[Torchrider]

Hello, I am new here from Texas, and I have a VC Intrepid installed in a small ranch home. The manual calls for wood 14" to 16" long. I will be cutting my own wood at some point, but for now am relegated to buying wood.

Regular sized cut and dried Oak seems to be too big for this stove. I assume they are longer than 16"? What length wood are you guys feeding this small stove? Do wood providers cut wood shorter than normal? How do you deal with this?

Thanks in advance, and hello from Mills County Texas.

 

[Eman85]

I cut my own so 16 is what I shoot for. I have had friends cut wood for me and they cut it long. I can put the first couple of pieces in but past that it has to be 16". Best trick I've seen is a person made a rack and used it as a guide and cut the long pieces down to 16". The cutoff pieces burn just fine too.

 

[Garbanzo62]

Many stoves will take one size EW orientation and a different size NS. in mine I can put 16 NS and 18 EW. Some of your longer pieces you might be able to get in on a diagonal. I had a guy drop off rounds that he claimed were 18", they ranged from 16 - 24. I can fit a 20 on a diagonal. I normally only use those when I want to keep the fire going and just throwing in a few splits. No way to fill a box that method. As Eman85 said. if they are too big cut them. A bunch of smaller pieces are great to extend a burn until you are ready for a full reload.

 

[Torchrider]

Thanks guys. Today I found a local guy who will cut to my specs. What do you recommend for loading the Intrepid flat, left-right? 16"?

 

[Garbanzo62]

I will let someone with that brand weigh in. In my Regency, loading N/S seems to burn better. It is also easier to reload as you are not reaching over hot coals to get the back pieces in. Get yourself a pair of welding gloves either way, the come in handy when dealing with hot stuff.

 

[Eman85]

Your Intrepid is top load like my Encore, left/right 16" works for me so far for over 30 years.

 

[Torchrider]

Your Intrepid is top load like my Encore, left/right 16" works for me so far for over 30 years.

Yes, it is a top load. I am going to double check measurements, and am hoping 16" will work. Thanks for the replies.

 

[NewGuy132]

I have the Intrepid Flexburn. I cut my wood to 14 inches. That being said occasionally it comes out to 15 or 16, but they still fit. I'd ask for 14. It will give you a little more wiggle room if they cut it a little long.

Unfortunately our stoves have a small firebox and require smaller splits.

 

[Torchrider]

I have the Intrepid Flexburn. I cut my wood to 14 inches. That being said occasionally it comes out to 15 or 16, but they still fit. I'd ask for 14. It will give you a little more wiggle room if they cut it a little long.

Unfortunately our stoves have a small firebox and require smaller splits.

That is very helpful information. Thank You. Yes, I almost didn't buy the stove because of this. However, my wife really wanted that model. 🤷‍♂️