In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

North/South or East/West?

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by SD Steve, Nov 21, 2019.

Tags:
  1. SD Steve

    SD Steve

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2019
    Messages:
    671
    Likes Received:
    4,485
    Location:
    South Dakota
    Ok, so when my fire has burned down, to just coals, I find a better burn with the next load of wood to burn hotter when I load my stove with the wood going north/south (front to back), then if I can fit more, I load couple on top of that, going east/west (side to side)? What is the general consensus on loading our wood burners?
     
  2. Hatchetdancer

    Hatchetdancer

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Messages:
    204
    Likes Received:
    1,291
    Location:
    Central PA
    Air pockets are key even with an old smoke dragon
     
    Chaz, Sourwood, SD Steve and 3 others like this.
  3. Marvin

    Marvin

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2018
    Messages:
    2,266
    Likes Received:
    15,259
    Location:
    Huntingdon, Pa
    Generally speaking I believe most here load N/S (myself included). The exception are those that have a side loading stove.
     
    OhioStihl, Chaz, metalcuttr and 2 others like this.
  4. Woodwhore

    Woodwhore

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2016
    Messages:
    2,371
    Likes Received:
    19,085
    Location:
    Mason NH
    Doesnt north south burn faster because all the air pockets and the rolling glass smoke going rt into them. I feel like burn time is better with east west.
     
    OhioStihl, Chaz, metalcuttr and 3 others like this.
  5. ReelFaster

    ReelFaster

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2016
    Messages:
    2,342
    Likes Received:
    16,162
    Location:
    S.Jersey
    That's what I've always thought. I know there are pro's and con's to both but can't recall them exactly. I've mostly loaded east/west as my box if I recall is pretty shallow. I do like when loading north/south don't have to worry about splits falling up against the door. Makes a mess when opening the door sometimes especially as my blower is right there, gotta make sure that puppy is shut off or it starts snowing ash in our family room.....
     
    Chaz, Horkn, Road-side Oak and 5 others like this.
  6. Woodwhore

    Woodwhore

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2016
    Messages:
    2,371
    Likes Received:
    19,085
    Location:
    Mason NH
    Totally agree with all of that
     
  7. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2019
    Messages:
    27,363
    Likes Received:
    163,164
    Location:
    North Haven, Connecticut
    Mine goes N/S. For a casual fire ill ill go diagonal with two logs when im home and watching the fire instead of the TV. Just dont try to change the channel on the insert which, when im half asleep, ive tried to do!
     
    Chaz, Horkn, metalcuttr and 3 others like this.
  8. billb3

    billb3

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2013
    Messages:
    9,799
    Likes Received:
    50,301
    Location:
    SE Mass
    really depends on the stove.
    Sometimes there is little choice.
    Screen Shot 2019-11-22 at 9.35.43 AM.png
    Given the choice N/S can be somewhat easier. Especially when/if adding to a fire. Plus you get to play Stove Tetris, although you'll be competing with some experienced stuffers.
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2019
    bert the turtle, Chaz, Horkn and 4 others like this.
  9. Jon_E

    Jon_E

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2015
    Messages:
    1,103
    Likes Received:
    6,151
    Location:
    Southwestern Vermont
    I pretty much load northeast-southwest, except when the wind is blowing from the pig farm next door, then I load southeast-northwest. Then the smell of the wood smoke mixes with the pig poo stench and I get confused and have to load vertically.
     
  10. FatBoy85

    FatBoy85

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2017
    Messages:
    6,592
    Likes Received:
    25,094
    Location:
    Washington State
    I used to load North South most of the time. East West was more random. Maybe if the splits were ugly but even then that didn’t make much difference.
     
    Chaz, metalcuttr and Backwoods Savage like this.
  11. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    43,287
    Likes Received:
    267,927
    Location:
    Central MI
    Try not to over think it. Put the wood in so it burns like you want and forget it. The wood doesn't mind.
     
    yooperdave, Chaz, Maina and 9 others like this.
  12. Marvin

    Marvin

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2018
    Messages:
    2,266
    Likes Received:
    15,259
    Location:
    Huntingdon, Pa
    Sounds like there's a story here.....
     
    Chaz, Horkn, FatBoy85 and 2 others like this.
  13. ReelFaster

    ReelFaster

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2016
    Messages:
    2,342
    Likes Received:
    16,162
    Location:
    S.Jersey
    Ahh yes, the vacuum had to be brought out on a few occasions my rookie year :rofl: :lol:
     
    Chaz, Horkn, FatBoy85 and 3 others like this.
  14. Marvin

    Marvin

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2018
    Messages:
    2,266
    Likes Received:
    15,259
    Location:
    Huntingdon, Pa
    :rofl: :lol: and the lady of the house was probably :heidi:
     
    Chaz, Horkn, FatBoy85 and 3 others like this.
  15. ReelFaster

    ReelFaster

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2016
    Messages:
    2,342
    Likes Received:
    16,162
    Location:
    S.Jersey
    Normally she would be :heidi:..........But she has come to understand all that's involved with wood burning. She has been enjoying this stove I think almost more than I have. She's constantly making comments about how she loves it and is supportive of my hoarding. She's hooked!!!!!
     
    Chaz, Maina, Stephiedoll and 7 others like this.
  16. metalcuttr

    metalcuttr

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2018
    Messages:
    2,980
    Likes Received:
    21,214
    Location:
    western WA
    I usually load east west as my stove is a mite wider than deep. I usually keep only a moderate fire during most of the day and the house stays warm overnight. If there was a need to stuff the box for overnight burns, I would try north south because of the ease of loading straight in!
     
    Chaz, FatBoy85 and Thor like this.
  17. billb3

    billb3

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2013
    Messages:
    9,799
    Likes Received:
    50,301
    Location:
    SE Mass
    I'm trying to picture a leaf blower being left on in a family room and am struggling.
    There must be some other kind of blower.
     
    Chaz, FatBoy85 and metalcuttr like this.
  18. SD Steve

    SD Steve

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2019
    Messages:
    671
    Likes Received:
    4,485
    Location:
    South Dakota
    My wife does not see any benefit from having a wood stove. I told her that we are lucky we haven't spent a night without electricity. I said we live in south Dakota now, this ain't California anymore. I said the wood stove has a blower on it but it doesn't need it to heat the house. My house is 92 years old, we bought it a little over 4 years ago. The house was set up for only electric heat. Since we moved in, I have replaced all of the plumbing, except sewer. Removed the old fuel oil furnace and tank , and installed a propane furnace in its place. Bought a wood stove and all of the chimney piping, and that was way more expensive than I had planned. And replaced the sump pump and all of its piping so the I can pump the water outside or in the sewer. And I have done all of it myself. And she doesn't even acknowledge all the work that I have done.
     
    Chaz, Maina, saewoody and 2 others like this.
  19. metalcuttr

    metalcuttr

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2018
    Messages:
    2,980
    Likes Received:
    21,214
    Location:
    western WA
    Have you endured a winter there yet? I would think a winter with, and one without, wood heat and your Wife would become a believer!
     
    Chaz, Horkn and buZZsaw BRAD like this.
  20. SD Steve

    SD Steve

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2019
    Messages:
    671
    Likes Received:
    4,485
    Location:
    South Dakota
    Oh yeah, this is our 5th winter here, the last 2 were brutal. Especially since we are both southern California born and raised. She just doesn't get it.
     
    Chaz, Horkn, metalcuttr and 1 other person like this.