How To: Split Firewood (2024)

FAQs

Is there a trick to splitting wood? ›

Look down the exterior of the round to avoid splitting any obvious obstructions such as large knots or twisted grain. The most effective blow is delivered near the edge of the round, NOT the center. By hitting near the edge (bark), the maul strikes at 90 degrees to the growth rings where they are wide and vulnerable.

One of the most traditional methods of splitting wood is using a hand axe. This simple tool requires minimal maintenance and can be easily carried around for on-the-go wood splitting. The key to success with an axe is proper technique. Swing the axe towards the center of the log, aiming for the grain.

Simple steel wedges and sledge hammers are another method of manual firewood splitting. Hold the wedge against the log, tap it in slightly with the hammer, remove your hand, then pound the hammer against the wedge until the log splits. These are the log splitters that we think are the best of 2022.

The bottom line is that you can split both wet and dry wood. The latter is usually easier to split, though many people prefer to split the former so that it dries out more quickly. But if you use a log splitter, you shouldn't have trouble splitting either wet or dry wood.

Take a look at the log you're out to split before setting it on your chopping block. “If the logs are seasoned, you can often find a split or a crack,” Wetherbee says — and that's where you want to take aim. Also, note any knots and knobs and avoid them.

Australian Buloke – 5,060 IBF. An ironwood tree that is native to Australia, this wood comes from a species of tree occurring across most of Eastern and Southern Australia. Known as the hardest wood in the world, this particular type has a Janka hardness of 5,060 lbf.

Excessive moisture increases the risk of insect and fungi damage." Teak is a personal favorite of the folks at Wood Blinds Direct. James Armstrong says it's because it won't swell or split, even in the wettest of climates; it'll last for decades.

Splitting logs is much more than just a preparatory step; it's a process that enhances the wood's ability to burn effectively. When wood is split, it increases the surface area exposed to air, speeding up the drying process and reducing the wood's moisture content.

Whether you season wood or use a kiln, large logs are difficult to burn and take forever to dry, while short, thin logs are much easier to burn and don't take long to dry. Also, splitting firewood allows for the wood's innermost, central places to enjoy enough exposure to dry air.

Burning clean, dry, seasoned firewood to heat your home saves money, ignites easily, and lessens the impact on local air quality. To burn efficiently during the colder months, wood should be split, stacked and loosely covered for at least six to twelve months, depending on the type of wood.

Is a maul or axe better for splitting wood? ›

A splitting maul is ideal for splitting large logs or logs with knots that may be challenging to cut with a regular axe. The sharp edge helps create a clean split, and the head provides the necessary force to split the wood effectively.

Best Tools for Splitting Wood: Hatchets, Saws, and Log Splitters - Men's Journal.

The Right Wood

Dense woods from broadleaf species like oak, ash, maple and hickory are the best for burning.

Hardwoods vary in how hard or easy they are to split. Oak and Maple are generally easy to split, while Sycamore and Elm are more difficult. At U.S. Pride, we're usually talking about splitting with one of our cone scrw splitters on a skid loader or excavator.

The most popular option today is a quality chainsaw. They're fast and efficient at cutting logs down into manageable firebox sized lengths. Selecting the appropriate chainsaw will depend on how much wood, and the size of the wood, you intend on cutting.