All around the world, people use firewood in a wide variety of different ways. From heating homes, to cooking over, to using for an outdoor fire pit or fireplace, there are many different uses for this incredible resource. When it comes to getting the ideal firewood setup however, there are a wide variety of factors that play into this process. If you are splitting your firewood yourself, there are many things you have to take into account, from how you cut the wood, how long the pieces are, how you store it, and more. If you are just starting to gather your own firewood or are confused as to why your process isn't effective, here are some helpful tips and tricks on preparing perfect firewood.
If you are working with larger logs, selecting the right way to split the wood is arguably the most important decision you will need to make. There are a myriad of different methods for you to choose from, the classic axe, a sledgehammer and splitting wedge, or some more modern techniques such as chainsaws or the ever popular hydraulic log splitter. Each of these choices will vary depending on where you live and what kind of wood you are typically working with, but there is always the perfect method out there no matter what.
Another important thing to consider when you are splitting wood is the time of year you are taking care of this project. A great idea when cutting your firewood is to plan out for the whole year, or at least the amount of months you anticipate you will be using the wood, and to cut that amount all in a short amount of time. while it may be more work in the moment, it will pay huge dividends when the middle of winter has rolled around and you don't have to go outside and split more wood. A great time to cut your wood is in the spring, as this will give the wood an ample amount of time to dry and season in the warmer summer months.
When you are finally cutting the wood itself, be sure you cut and split it the right size that you need so you don't waste time later if a piece happens to be too big or to small. After you have split the wood, stacking it is the next step and letting it sit to dry and season is arguably the most important part. If you have been cutting your own firewood for years, you know this process can take close to six months to properly dry and season. While this may seem like a ridiculous amount of time, it is worth it when the time comes for you to use it as it will not burn up nearly as fast when it is properly dried and seasoned.
What have you found to be the best way to split firewood? Let us know!