what I meant was that with the top down fires they seem to use very small splits on top to get it going.
Yes. Big splits at the bottom, medium splits in the middle, small splits and kindling on top. I use this method all the time. The kindling and small splits make a roaring fire quickly and that heats a cold flue nicely, helping to draw the fire.
Same here. Tried it too. With my stove it seems all the same. Half a dozen in one hand —six in the other…it all burns. If you have seasoned wood I don’t think it really matters either way. To each his own.
