How large a split?

So, how large are your splits? What is your max size? I think I tend to split smaller than many people; my gf sometimes has a fire and she has tiny arms, no upper body strength. Furthermore, I actually seem to prefer more, smaller logs on a fire than three big ones. It creates more pockets, which means open flame and windows to the fire and I like that. I also think of other women, relatives included, including older women, who have been in my life and who don't like huge pieces.

I also wonder what size is best for various reasons. Six inches/side max or just what. Drying, hauling, etc. For instance, when splitting a bunch of wood, the less you split, the faster you get done.

EDIT: I cut my rounds at 16 inches; any larger, some rounds get too heavy for me to handle alone.

 

I like them a good 4 to 6 inches thick for overnight and longer burns, and generally fewer trips to the fireplace.
With enough training any woman can develop fair upper body strength.
Edit:Oh, and it’s less work.

 

i cut all my wood to 16" lengths regardless of diameter. My average size split is roughly the size of a 4x4 post which is 3 1/2" square. Been making them this size all my life so old habits. I like the ease of handling. GF loads fireplace but i will pack for any extended burn. She has burnt her arm on the edge of it even with gloves on.

 

Mixed. Some about 6x6, but not too many. Nice for overnights in February.

Also depends on the wood. When dried, pieces of oak and maple, will weigh different.

Mrs mikeinma has no problem adding wood to the stove, or starting it up if I'm not around. The splits need to be light enough for her to handle. If she encounters a split too big or heavy, not a problem. Lots of others to take off the feeder rack. (Feeder rack is on the deck. 8ft. Wood from there is brought to the stove, which is about 25ft away, in the house)

So, most I'd say are about 4x4, 16in. I also do bother to cut branches that are 2in diameter, not splitting them. I mix them all through my stacks.

 

Depends on the fire and where I’m burning. If it’s destined for the stove, I like fitting halved 8-10 inch rounds but that’s not always feasible. I can get Alder that size and let it dry out. Those are good for when you have the fire going from kindling and it’s coaling. Throwing the big ones on and letting it go because it’s so dry they’ll ignite in no time.

If it’s a pit fire, then it can be large as needed. Mostly small at starts 4-6 inches and get bigger from there. Stove wood often is 2-6 inches wide or less depending on what it is I’m putting in(limb and branches not much more than whole 2 inches). Oak is the most sparingly used wood I have so I tend to go small with it. Save big pieces when I really really need them

 

I always cut at 16" although the stove will take 22" or a bit more in a pinch. Makes for uniform stacks. My stacks have a variety of sizes of splits. If the rounds are gnarly, I split them well down with the hydraulic splitter. If straight grained I will leave larger splits to go in the stack. These larger splits can be used whole for a slower burn or further split down later. I always do some final splitting when loading the wheelbarrow to transfer to the garage. That is also when I pick out the interspersed pitchy fatwood and split my kindling.

 

Chaz does ours at 18". I like smaller splits.. we have two stacks in the house for burning. His and hers. I have trouble man handling the bigger ones so he gets them in his stack. Chaz also got me some leather gloves that goes up to my elbows. Really love them.

 

All my splits are one-handers.

 

Ah finding that fatwood can be like finding that cool egg in the hunt yeah? Most of that old growth is so fun to split, heavy duty and seems to split easily than the younger trees.

 

Cut all mine to 16" as well. Average split is about 4-6" at the wide end, but I always let some bigger for overnighters. Like 9-10" rounds just split in half. Also have a gf who has to tend the fire when I'm away, so can't make them too big so she can handle them easier. Photo shows average split and end pieces cross stacked are overnighter size. I like to burn smaller stuff sometimes too , you can always make them smaller with one wack of the axe!

 

I have a big stove, which holds 4 or 5 rounds at 12inches in diameter and 18-22 in length. My split vary from 12x12 and barely in the door to smaller stuff for my wife to handle. I think it depends on the size of the stove, your back, and you’re heating needs. Shoulder season plays into it also. Good luck!

 

You need to get one of these for her...

 

I split fairly small, but also make some larger ones for overnight.

As she stated, I usually deal with the larger stuff, but since she's retired and feeds the stove during the day, I make sure there's plenty she can manage.

 

I like my splits about 4x6 , 8 in. rounds get split in half. Oak (which is my only hardwood) gets split even larger for those overnight burns. I end up with plenty of smaller stuff without trying.

 

I go for 6x splits if possible. Longer burn time in the stove. The bigger the splits the fewer pieces of wood to handle.

I’m also far enough ahead so I can wait for the larger sized splits to dry.

 

My PH doesn’t seem to care too much. I’ve been splitting them small for faster drying. Just getting to the point where I’m splitting for three seasons out. Hard to change but I’m trying.
What seems to matter more is how tightly they are packed. Crooked splits, branches are difficult to pack tight. Nice straight splits can be loaded nice and tight.
The womenfolk always yelled for bigger all-nighters. Now that they have all upgraded their stoves the yelling has died down and they like smaller stuff.

 

I typically make larger splits 8” or so, simply beacause I hand split and it takes less time. I can always split smaller if I need to. I use the smaller splits that I have around for cold starts. When the fire gets really hot large splits work just fine and it’s easier to throw in large split than 2 or 3 small splits.

 

Me too. As long as I can pick it up by the end with one hand, it's good. We also, split "real small" frequently for the fireplace.

 

16 X what the knots will allow me to split