Firewood - How to chop, store and light?

SG27

Matt_Pug_106 wrote: »

I'm after some advice on using my log burner and everything that goes with it!

I've moved into a property this year that has a log burner fitted in the lounge. The burner itself is fairly small so your average chopped wood is a little big!

I've managed to find a local supplier that'll deliver 1 ton of wood for £50. This will be chopped like normal however I need to half it again. Last weekend I purchased a small axe and found it utterly useless! Should I buy a bigger more expensive one or a log splitter?

Secondly I need to store the wood, I presume it's OK if it gets a little wet as most log stores are open fronted?

Thirdly I can't for the life of me keep the fire going for longer than a couple of hours. I could well be using logs that are too big but the air supply openings confuse me?

Sooo any help is appreciated so I can try and tackle this beast before the harsh winter arrives....

Make sure the logs you have are seasoned. The people you bought them from will tell you. If they aren't you need to store them for use next winter at the earliest.

Make sure you build your log store so the logs aren't sitting on the ground. Use an old pallet for the base. Stops the logs at the bottom getting damp and mouldy. It can be open on all sides just needs a roof. I've seen people stack them on a pallet with just a plastic sheet as a hat.

Gloomendoom

SG27 wrote: »

I can't work out how that works I want one too though!

Like this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0YP5RUkMMI

Only cheaper.

Ectophile

Matt_Pug_106 wrote: »

I'm after some advice on using my log burner and everything that goes with it!

I've moved into a property this year that has a log burner fitted in the lounge. The burner itself is fairly small so your average chopped wood is a little big!

I've managed to find a local supplier that'll deliver 1 ton of wood for £50. This will be chopped like normal however I need to half it again. Last weekend I purchased a small axe and found it utterly useless! Should I buy a bigger more expensive one or a log splitter?

A little axe is unlikely to get you very far. When I tried usung one, I frequently got the axe stuck in the log.

A decent size maul is a lot better. An alternative would be log splitting wedges, and a sledgehammer, but that's unlikely to be any easier.

Secondly I need to store the wood, I presume it's OK if it gets a little wet as most log stores are open fronted?

Wood stores should be open-fronted, and the logs will get damp on a drizzly day. I'd recommend finding somewhere to store a few days' worth of logs indoors. That way, the logs should be properly dry by the time you burn them.

Thirdly I can't for the life of me keep the fire going for longer than a couple of hours. I could well be using logs that are too big but the air supply openings confuse me?

If you haven't already done so, have a good read of your stove manual. Different stoves have different arrangements of vents. There may also be a damper in the flue of some models.

Generally, open all the vents to get the fire going. Once it's burning nicely, gradually close any vents at the bottom, leaving the top vent open. You'd only close the top vent if it's burning too fiercely. When you stick in a new log, you may need to open the bottom vent(s) up again to get the new log burning.

Small stoves need thinner logs - sticking a massive tree trunk in a little stove won't work. But thinner logs burn through quicker. I never expect to get two hours' burning from one log on my 5kW stove.

Sooo any help is appreciated so I can try and tackle this beast before the harsh winter arrives....

Matt_Pug_106

Thanks all for the help so far, I'm slowly picking up some handy tips.

michaelgordon

anyone have any experience with that foot splitter my local aldi has one but im not sure i will do what i want. i have already split my logs vertically with an axe but need to split horizontally and doing that with the bow aw is hard work will this split horizontally tried google but just gets shops selling no real advice

JellyBox

This is a very handy thread as I am about to move into a house with a log burner having never ever had one! I have been trying to understand the basics recently, but totally confused myself, lots of useful information here though

Gloomendoom

michaelgordon wrote: »

anyone have any experience with that foot splitter my local aldi has one but im not sure i will do what i want. i have already split my logs vertically with an axe but need to split horizontally and doing that with the bow aw is hard work will this split horizontally tried google but just gets shops selling no real advice

You won't be able to split the logs horizontally as that will be across the grain. A saw of some description is the only tool that will do that. [strike]I'd recommend a chainsaw but it is a significant financial commitment when all the PPE is taken into consideration. More if you need training too.[/strike]

Edit: Please read post 29 for reason for strike though.

Ebe_Scrooge

We've just bought one of these for our scout group - we needed something that was portable so that we can take it on camps with us :

http://www.smartlogsplitter.com/smart-splitter-product-details.html

I can't comment yet on how long it'll last, but I must say I was very impressed with how easily it split the logs ( of course, it's bound to be easy when you've got a group of strapping teenage lads doing the donkey work for you !! )

tori.k

I have the Aldi spliter works fine but isn't the greatest (pay's your money...) found the locking key isn't the best. sometimes wedge jam's on thicker logs so you have to lift and re-position, not really a hardship and more favorable to me than using a wedge and hammer. reminds me to ask the fat man for a small chainsaw this Yule

nande2000

I'd recommend a Mitox if you want a reasonably priced chainsaw that has a reliable support network for parts.