How to Split Firewood?

It is the end of winter and we can finally enjoy a fireplace or wood stove to keep us warm. One of the most important things that you need for this is firewood, and if you are like me then it means splitting your own wood. Splitting firewood takes time and energy but it does not have to be hard work. In this blog post I will share with you my techniques on how to split wood so that it is easy, fast, and efficient!

Splitting firewood can be a daunting task for those who have never done it before. The process of splitting firewood is simple, but not easy. There are many tools that one can use to split wood, but the most popular tool is an axe. With the right technique and patience, anyone can learn how to effectively chop away at logs with an axe until they are in manageable pieces for burning.

What is the best time of year to Split FireWood?

There is no universal answer to this question. The best time of year will depend on where you live. For example, if you live in Northern Canada or Alaska, splitting firewood during the winter can be extremely difficult due to extreme cold temperatures and deep snowfall that makes many roads inaccessible. One benefit of cutting wood during the summer months is that the wood will season better than winter-cut firewood.

In southern regions, such as the United States and Canada, cutting wood in winter may be easier for some people because snow can serve as a natural cover to make it more difficult. In this case however you will need to pay close attention to weather forecasts so that you don’t get trapped by unexpected snowfall or freezing temperatures which could lead to your death.

Another consideration is the accessibility of the wood you want to cut down and split for firewood. It’s better if it can be accessed by vehicle or ATV but this isn’t always possible in some cases, especially when there are steep hills involved. Your best bet may be splitting dead trees yourself because they tend to have limbs that make cutting them with a chainsaw very dangerous (i.e., drop back towards you) unless done properly using proper safety equipment like helmets, chaps, heavy boots etc.. Also consider what tools will need to access the site; again sometimes roads don’t go all the way up making hauling larger logs difficult without machinery which could cost money that many people simply don’t want to spend.

This is just a brief outline of what you need to consider when deciding the best time of year to split firewood for your home or cabin, but it can be summarized by saying: if possible plan ahead and cut in advance so that the wood has enough drying time before winter hits.

How to properly cut a log into pieces for Splitting Firewood?

• First, cut the logs into pieces that are smaller than 25 cm in diameter. This will help you to split them faster if they are larger because it is easier for the axe blade to penetrate through the wood at first contact.
• Second, make sure there’s a flat surface on both ends of your log so it won’t roll off or move around when splitting with an axe. Lastly, this will give you more room to swing and increase accuracy while splitting firewood!

Tools you will need to Split Wood

A sharp axe or maul. You can find one of these at your local hardware store, big box retailer, or department store. If you are buying online, look for a splitting wedge which helps the wood split more cleanly by transferring force away from the blade to where it needs to be applied. A sledgehammer is another option if an actual ax cannot be found and would also work well in conjunction with some wedges placed between logs being hit with it. This may not sound like much but if you have ever used just about any kind of equipment that requires power then this will come as no surprise to you! One thing though- don’t forget that they do need maintenance too so keep them oiled up and stored properly during the winter.

A block of wood that is at least 18 inches long and about 12” in diameter or width. This will be your chopping surface so it needs to be sturdy enough to take a few whacks from an axe without breaking apart, cracking, splitting open…etc! Make sure you get one with good grain structure for this purpose since knots are usually more unstable than straight grain areas on logs or blocks for splitting firewood. You can also use some kind of stump but make sure you leave plenty of room around its edge (about 15-20”) if using something provided by Mother Nature because she has a tendency to move things like stumps and rocks around when we aren’t! It could also be a good idea to place it atop concrete blocks or bricks.

A splitting wedge and/or some wedges (optional). You can find these online, at your local hardware store, big box retailer or department store typically in the axe section but also ask for them when you are buying one that fits into your budget range. When using a sledgehammer then just about any kind of wood will do as long as its not rotten because this too is something that needs regular care from being oiled up on occasion if left outside all year round- even inside! If possible use some hardwood like ash since they tend to split easier than other types so save yourself time and energy by going with those unless there aren’t any available.

A temporary work bench of some kind. You can use an old door, board or piece of plywood to place on top of something stable like cement blocks for instance that will hold it in place while you are using the splitting wedge and/or wedges. A short stepstool with a couple cinderblocks underneath its legs would also be useful if working overhead is too strenuous because this tool requires strength as well since your upper body has to do most of the work! It doesn’t have to be anything fancy but make sure whatever you are using won’t collapse under pressure before starting out so keep things sturdy please!

Now go ahead and split all those logs up into smaller pieces by following these steps.

Steps on how to Split logs with an Axe or Maul

• First choose a good spot.

It should be dry and level, without rocks underneath the wood pile where you will stand when chopping firewood.

Be sure there are no overhead branches that could fall if they were cut by your axe.

If using wedges, make sure you have room for them behind the log (and remember not to place any under it!) as well as enough space in front of your splitting area so that overhanging tree limbs won’t hit you!

Also ensure adequate drainage around this area; don’t work near mud or water puddles or anything else wet which might cause slippage.

• Place the log on a chopping block or stump, with one end of the log lying flat against it.

The chopping block helps support large logs that are too heavy to lift up for splitting; you can also make your own by sawing off part of an old tree trunk (you want something about two feet high and at least four inches thick).

If there is no space available in which to place this kind of “chopping brother”, then simply use another shorter piece or even some sturdy rocks as substitutes! You don’t need anything fancy – just stable ground upon which to split firewood will do nicely.

• Rest the axe blade on your log with one hand and hold the handle near the head.

Place your other hand towards or at the end of the handle where you grasp it while swinging an axe, but keep this hand just behind that spot.

This is important because if you don’t already know how to split wood correctly then we recommend practicing first! You can do so by splitting smaller pieces of firewood in order to get a feel for what chopping exactly entails before attempting anything more difficult such as larger logs which are often harder than ones made from softwoods like pine (not advised for beginners).

Then, once ready move your hands apart on either side of their usual position; put some distance between them for easier splitting.

Also keep your body sideways to the log, with knees bent and back straight so that you can swing smoothly without straining yourself or risking injury.

If standing up is not an option due to weight of wood pile then kneel on one knee instead; whatever position works for this step will be fine as long as it’s safe!

• Step closer towards the chopping block until there are only a couple inches between both feet and its surface, taking care that you don’t hit anything in front of them (like other logs) when swinging your axe downwards.

Then bring your arms together again over head quickly but steadily before letting the blade descend onto the top end of the firewood.

Aim to split the wood cleanly in half, without hitting other pieces which could make your task harder.

Also remember not to hold onto the axe handle but instead let it go when swinging downwards so that you don’t injure yourself or others around you! You can also use a splitting maul for this step if an axe is too difficult.

• Repeat these steps until all chunks of firewood are split into smaller sticks before stacking them away from each other using either another piece of lumber or even some rocks as supports (do not place any under). If there isn’t much time left then simply leave cut logs out on their own again; just be sure they have enough space between one another so that air can circulate and dry them out as soon as possible.

Don’t forget to keep those wedges handy, though! These versatile tools will help you split pieces of wood (no matter their size) more easily than with an axe alone; plus they make it easier on your body especially if there are many logs around the pile that need splitting.

• Tapered ends which actually resemble a wedge shape work best for this task, but we do recommend using one slightly thicker end (the base) in order to get better leverage and therefore greater power behind each swing without causing too much strain or effort on yourself physically speaking. You don’t have to use only these specific kinds of wedges – just keep some kind of wedge available since they can be helpful in many other situations.
• Use your arms to swing the wedge downwards into one end of a log, then do this again for another (alternating sides) until you’re able to split it apart completely; make sure that wood doesn’t shift or move after putting pressure on it with axe during each strike! You will likely need at least two wedges per piece of firewood if not more depending on its size and density.

Keep splitting logs like this (or cutting them down using an electric chain saw which is faster but requires fuel for power sources as well as maintenance). Keep sandpaper nearby so that any small splinters may be smoothed out easily without too much trouble – use it to clean up any rough or jagged edges afterwards.

• Take a look at this blog post for more information on firewood storage.

Also keep in mind that splitting wood can be dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing! Make sure there is no one around when cutting logs apart, especially children or pets which have wandered into the way of your swing since it could cause them serious injury even without meaning to do so (not being able to control muscles with enough precision).

Always wear protective gear like safety glasses and steel-toed boots as well as gloves whenever handling an axe – but make sure they fit correctly before continuing onwards; otherwise injuries may occur through mishandling tools because nothing was used properly beforehand.

Be careful when splitting wood and remember to take your time! Make sure you don’t go too fast (which could lead to injury) at the expense of being thorough in your work. Always think ahead before moving onto a new step so that there isn’t any wasted effort or movement on your part, which can be dangerous if you aren’t paying enough attention. If possible then have someone help by holding a piece of firewood still for you while another person swings downwards with an axe from behind it, but make sure they are wearing protective gear as well just in case something goes wrong unexpectedly. Try not to do more than two people’s worth of work alone because this may cause strain on the body if done improperly without proper training or experience.

The best way to split firewood, though, is by using an electric powered chainsaw which can cut through wood in seconds with much less effort on your part compared to using just a simple axe without any power sources attached. However it may not be worth the hassle of having any kind of gasoline or diesel-powered motor going near your home if you have small children around due to potential risks involved so keep this in mind before deciding what method will work out better for you personally!

Remember that splitting wood isn’t too different from cutting up other things like meat at a butcher’s shop where speed and precision are required while being focused on correctly holding down whatever needs slicing apart without losing control over the situation either! You don’t have to use large pieces of firewood either but may instead opt for something smaller which is easier to deal with in the long-term.

Tips and tricks for Splitting Wood efficiently

• Start with a log that is approximately the same diameter as your maul. – Situate yourself at an angle to the block of wood and then begin by hitting down on top center of it while holding the handle in both hands. Repeat this pattern until you get thru one side, turn 90 degrees and repeat again making sure not to hit any part more than twice (this will create cracks). Then flip around and do it from another direction for maximum splitting power.
• If your piece doesn’t split easily try using wedges! Get two pieces of sturdy wood and hammer them into opposite sides so they stick out about three inches or longer depending on how big your firewood is. Use these wedges like levers underneath where you are hitting your maul to help split the wood in two.
• If you’re using a splitting wedge, place it into one of the cracks that is already created with your maul and hit it again with another piece of wood on top so when you lift it out there will be an even deeper crack for more leverage. Repeat this step until its splits apart!
• If you’re having trouble getting the log to split, try using a splitting sled or place it on its end and use your feet like levers by standing over top of the wood (this is called Stump Splitting).

Tips and tricks for Splitting Wood efficiently

• Start with a log that is approximately the same diameter as your maul.
• Situate yourself at an angle to the block of wood and then begin by hitting down on top center of it while holding the handle in both hands. Repeat this pattern until you get thru one side, turn 90 degrees and repeat again making sure not to hit any part more than twice (this will create cracks). Then flip around and do it from another direction for maximum splitting power.
• If your piece doesn’t split easily try using wedges! Get two pieces of sturdy wood and hammer them into opposite sides so they stick out about three inches or longer depending on how big your firewood is. Use these wedges like levers underneath where you are hitting your maul to help split the wood in two.
• If you’re having trouble getting the log to split, try using a splitting sled or place it on its end and use your feet like levers by standing over top of the wood (this is called Stump Splitting).
• Safety precautions when handling Axes, hatchets, and wedges
• Be sure everyone wears the proper protective gear, gloves and safety glasses when handling axes.
• Always drop axes onto their heads by holding them with both hands, one at either end of the handle, then letting go in between your hands. This will help protect you from any follow-through that might result in injury. The same goes for hatchets and wedges; hold them firmly against a chopping block or stump to prevent glancing blows before swinging down on top of it. If they are sharpened correctly after use (a process called “sharpening”), this shouldn’t be much difficulty since all three tools should slice through wood like butter once swung properly!
• Finally, remember to always keep your tools clean. If you are cutting logs for firewood outside in the dirt, be sure to brush off any excess before splitting them up so that they don’t catch on fire or rust over time. Also avoid leaving axes and hatchets exposed to water as this can cause them to swell which will make it impossible for other people to use without first taking some measures (i.e., sharpening) beforehand!

Environmental Protection

In wood-fired power plants, steam is used to generate electricity. In conventional coal and natural gas fired boiler plant that heat water into steam which then runs a turbine generator, the loss of energy across all those steps can be as much as 40%. That’s because they lose so much heat along the way before it turns back into water for another cycle through the system.

More efficient boilers are more expensive though. By using biomass fuel like trees or grasses instead, you gain an advantage in cost savings due to its lower price tag than other fossil fuels per unit of energy produced (costing about $20/ton compared with $70-$120/ton). It also results in fewer emissions when burned completely since there’s no unburned carbon like there is with other fossil fuels.

Wood-fired power plants are also better for the environment, mostly because they don’t require burning fuel to heat water into steam (so no air pollution) and their emissions of greenhouse gases would be lower than coal or natural gas fired boiler plant. They do however use electricity for running fans needed to circulate outside air through combustion chamber which increases its energy consumption by about 30%. That means that it will take longer to recoup your initial investment in costs unless you can find a way around this problem such as using waste biomass from sawmills instead, making sure you’re only cutting down trees dying off anyway so won’t affect forest growth rates any more than nature already does on its own.

Safety Tips

• Remember to wear safety equipment when using a splitting maul. This includes work gloves, boots, and other protective gear.
• When you’re cutting firewood with an axe or hatchet, make sure your footing is stable and that there are no hidden obstructions nearby.
• Make sure you are using the proper technique when splitting firewood. When it’s done correctly, this will help prevent injury and allow for more precise cuts.
• When splitting firewood, it’s important to know your limits. Even the strongest person can fatigue themselves if they are not careful. If you feel like you need a break before finishing an entire load of wood, then take one!
• Always be mindful of where your limbs and hands are when using any kind of axe or hatchet for splitting firewood. When striking at the logs, always hold them down with another log in order to keep them stable while cutting through them. This will prevent injury due to flying pieces of wood after being struck by an axe or hatchet blade.

FAQs

What should I do if the log is too large?

You can use a larger axe or sledgehammer. However, be careful as it may cause injuries to you during this process. Ensure that your toy safety goggles are worn at all times while splitting wood!

How many logs will fit in my fireplace? Is there any specific amount of firewood needed per day for heating purposes?

To split and store correctly, stack one layer deep with space between each piece so air can circulate through them – allowing moisture to evaporate from both sides – keeping your firewood dry and ready for burning. A typical house requires about two face cords (four feet wide by four feet tall) of hardwood per winter.

How do I remove the bark from my logs?

To ensure that you get rid of the bark, it is important to saw off any excess branches on top before splitting. A good way to check the log will be able to split is to hold it up vertically and see if the diameter of the log at its bottom end will fit in your fireplace.

How should I store my logs?

It’s best to have a good storage space for your firewood since it can be used throughout winter months. If you are planning on placing them outside, make sure that they are stacked tightly together to prevent moisture from getting into them. A good option would be having an established woodpile close-by with enough room around each piece so air can circulate through them – allowing moisture to evaporate from both sides – keeping your firewood dry and ready for burning. You may also consider splitting some smaller sections or kindling pieces before stacking these outside, which will help to keep your storage space more organized.

Conclusion

Splitting wood isn’t too difficult if you know what types of equipment you need. There are different tools which offer specific advantages depending on your needs and degree of expertise that range from simple axes all the way up to high end splitters. As long as one has access to trees they can always take care of themselves by providing warmth in winter months without having to rely upon expensive heating bills during those cold days inside! It’s also a fun activity to do with friends and family, so it’s a good way to socialize as well.