While loading into your stove??? For some dumb reason I've always done bark down, as it seems that the splits fit better in my stove that way. Anyhow, I did bark up on the first load after a sweep today, and I got a super pretty, long lasting burn on 3 medium ash splits. What is it guys???
I think your point about 'fit better in my stove that way' is the main point - otherwise, IMO it doesn't matter a bit. Cheers!
I put the splits bark side up only when I'm starting or restarting a fire. The rough edges of the split tend to catch fire quicker, otherwise they go in however I grab them.
I have birch, I go bark up on the bottom layer on the hot coals, give me a little extra time to load before the fires takes off. No bark against the sides either, sides seems to burn down better that way. The middle splits go in what ever way stacks them the best
This is my thinking too. No stove here, but when building a fire in the pit or a fireplace split faces go down because it catches better that way
This is one of those topics that has always and will always get debated; but for me, I don't pay too much attention to it while stacking. When I get towards the top of the stack, I may sometimes try to do bark up to make a roof of sorts. I really don't think it matters much
one technique for a fast startup is to stick the split edge of the triangle split down in the coals. That pointed edge will catch faster in the hot coals and get your stove heated up fast so you can get it shut back down faster. For me getting things heated up fast and shut back down fast gets me a longer burn time. See the thin edge down catches really fast.
Bark side up when stacking at the top when I can. Barkless side down when loading the stove as I think it catches faster. Truthfully, I don't think it matters that much in either case.
I agree with the last 2 posters - I don't think it matters all that much, but I like to have some space for air flow between the coals and the bottom row of splits. Whichever orientation - up, down, sideways, where I can leave a bit of a gap, but still keep the bottom row "even", is what I do.
When stacking - bark up if you can, bark is pretty waterproof -when stacked bark down tends to collect and hold moisture much more than when bark up. just my observations of the 50 some odd cord stacked around here.
An endless debate on this. Personally I always put the wood in the stove bark up except when starting from a cold stove. Then I place 2 splits bark down and forma vee. Place a super cedar in the vee and light it then add wood, bark up. Perhaps because that is how we burn wood, bark up, that also is how we stack it. I highly doubt it will make a big difference. And on the argument of bark down and water getting between the bark and wood, that would hold only if the bark is really loose; otherwise I don't think it would have an effect. So, stack and burn as you feel best. As for me, it is bark up.
When I stack I do stack bark up but in the stove it doesn't matter.. What matters is how much can I cram in there lol..
Ever wondered how many more BTUs there are in a stacked cord of debarked Sugar Maple, vs bark on? Bet there is a big difference.
