Well…… If I could pick one type and size, 9-12 inch red oak would work best for me, as it would go straight into the OWB for me, and when helpers come, right through the four wedge on the splitter and off they go. Just easier to handle for me in every way. And red oak would be the species as around here it’s easy splitting, and high BTU. These three loads are 90% in that zone with only a few crotches to process
A question from one of us who doesn't own a OWB. When you said, "as it would go straight into the OWB for me", does that mean you burn maybe not so seasoned wood in the OWB? Or am I misinterpreting the comment? I season mine at least 2 yers but I have an indoor fireplace and don't want creosote build up. I understand that that may not be as much of an issue in a OWB. Just curious if guys with OWB's burn less seasoned wood and still get adequate heat output. Thanks.
Seasoned wood burns better and more efficiently no matter what your burning it in of course, but I meant I wouldnt have to split it. The lean to nearest the stove is a winter’s supply, I cut all year to make the pile on the right, then in late April or early May we have a big gtg and take wood from the pile to fill the lean to. It has usually been sitting there a while so on average my lean to is maybe one year seasoned. Under roof with three open sides it helps seasoning. because on gtg day we have 12-14 people usually and 6 wheel barrows going, I try to not leave too many big ones unsplit in the pile, as the splitter is a choke point. In that day we fill the lean to (17 cords) and 3-4 cords gets split down to go to helpers that have indoor stoves. I think a one year seasoned, round log maybe 9 inches in diameter does pretty well for me. But keeping the big pile about that size has the added benefit of either ready to stack for me, or just one time through a four way wedge on the splitter for everyone else. Hope the above makes sense. and last, the OWB has a short stainless steel stack and burns hot so I don’t get very much build up. I know many guys will burn pine also in theirs, but I don’t. I just do hardwoods.
And when I go get a little build up, I load up a big load of very dry stuff and run with the door open for 10 minutes and that cleans it up!
Now that's a fire! Reminds me of the time I loaded up my old mans single barrel stove in our garage with too much wood and probably creosote build up. I think the flame was just a little bit higher than what you show coming out the stack. Lucky I didn't burn the place down.
When I had my OWB, I would burn the Christmas paper leftovers on Christmas night........just to achieve that "lit candle" image. Only thing is, I wouldn't leave the door wide open. I hated that stain above the door from smoke spillage.
One year i was too lazy to take the Christmas out so i clipped the branches off and burned it in the fireplace. The next day i discovered all these little charred needles all over the deck!
