The Pros and Cons of Gas vs. Electric Splitters

Unless you are living in the mountains in some remote, desolate cabin away from civilization, or you're Ron Swanson (you're probably not), splitting wood by hand with an axe is something that is becoming a thing of the past. If you are looking for a challenge, it's a great option. If efficiency is higher on your list of priorities however, a gas or electric powered splitter is really what you want to invest in. When it comes to purchasing a powered wood splitter, there are many different options out there to choose from. Selecting an electric or gas powered splitter is one of the most important, as there are many pros and cons to each option.

Electric - Pros & Cons

Going with an electric splitter is one of the smartest options you can make. With the ability to split wood both indoors and outdoors, and electric wood splitter, such as this 16 ton Ram splitter are a great option for someone looking to upgrade from the axe to the ease of a powered splitter. Another great pro of having an electric splitter is the noise factor, as electric splitters are much quieter than gas splitters, saving the ears of both you and your neighbors. You will also not have to worry about changing the oil or servicing the engine on an electric splitter, giving you one less thing to worry about in the maintenance.

With all the pros that come with an electric splitter, there are also several cons to choosing electric over gas. For one, electric splitters are usually less powerful than gas, making it more difficult for the splitter to take on bigger logs of wood, putting you right back and cutting it by hand. Another downside is you will always need to be near an outlet or have an extension cord handy, which can get a little annoying at times.

Gas - Pros & Cons

On the other side of the powered wood splitter conversation are gas powered wood splitters. There are many pros to going with a gas powered splitter over electric, the first of which being the power difference between the two. Gas splitters, like the Iron and Oak 30 ton wood splitter, usually pack a little more punch than an electric splitter, allowing you to take on bigger logs. While gas splitters are usually a little heavier than electric, you are not tethered by the needs of an outlet, giving yourself greater range and portability.

As for the cons to going with the gas splitter, one of the biggest is the price. The old adage, "you get what you pay for" goes hand in hand with the gas powered splitter as the cost can be significantly higher. Another downside is changing the oil and servicing the engine, which can be a difficult task that you do not have to worry about with electric.

Final Consensus

No matter what your needs, the perfect wood splitter is out there for everyone. Narrowing down your needs and how you will use it is the biggest decision you have to make when selecting the right splitter for you.