How much wood do you split for your owb?

[PURPLEBOWYER]

I just installed an owb and have been working on getting a pile going,Ive been cutting alot of 2' long 16 to 18" rounds,alot of my friends with owbs say I dont have to split anything,but I think it would be alot easier to maintain a fire with some split to build around a large round I have about 2 cords of split cherry and locust now.When I put this stove in it was march so I was able to fire it for about a month and then let it go out,from what I see it was pretty much load that sucker til you coulndnt load it any more and then just tend it a few times a day.I know that will change come fridgged weather but it seemed to burn well with a few large rounds and then fill in with splt wood.I cant wait for it to get cold!She thinks Im nuts.

 

[beerman6]

split it small enough so your wife and/or kids can handle it.

When I first got mine,I would only split it if it wouldnt fit in the door.
It didnt take me long to realize that I was the only one that could stack the wood.

 

[loadthestove]

I usually burn around 6-8 cords a winter thru mine,try to get as much as possible because there is no such thing as to much wood.
you will just have to figure you stove out for yourself as burn time,how much to load,when to load,
Just keep reading on the board as there are some mighty fine people here and a wealth of knowledge to go with it.
I;m just over a year ahead with my wood pile now,some of the guys here are 3-4 years ahead maybe more.

good luck with the stove and tell the gas/oil man to go take a hike...

 

[Chuck Diesel]

8-9 cords a year. But alot of it depends on the temps. My pieces are on average 8"x30". I keep a 6lbs. maul next to the stove if i have to make some smaller pieces to get the bigger chunks burning. Good Luck
Chuck D

 

[chugbug]

I think your on the right track , I have also heard you don't have to split wood with a OWB, but I'm always looking for the smaller wood to fill in the small spots , try to get it as full and tight as possible on those long cold nights . You can only fit in so many big rounds !

 

[PURPLEBOWYER]

Thanks for the info fellas.

 

[PURPLEBOWYER]

Hey one more thing,ive got about a dozen treated poles bout 10"round and 5' long would it hurt to burn these?Got no use for them their too short.

 

[Circle B MN]

Hey one more thing,ive got about a dozen treated poles bout 10"round and 5' long would it hurt to burn these?Got no use for them their too short.

DO NOT BURN TREATED POLES, RAILROAD TIES, OR TRASH in your OWB. These are prime reasons why people have complaints about OWBs. As for splitting your wood, not only does it allow it to be handled easier, but it helps to season it. Burning green wood in your boiler is not only inefficient, but produces far more visible emissions, ie smoke. Quarter your rounds and season them and you will be pleased with the results.

 

[PURPLEBOWYER]

My nearest neighbor is 1/2 mile away,I meant could it cause any damage to my boiler.

 

[Circle B MN]

My nearest neighbor is 1/2 mile away,I meant could it cause any damage to my boiler.

Yes, and the smoke created by it contains harmful toxins that wil cause amage to you. Perhaps you should do a bit more reading on the matter before firing that thing up.

 

[PURPLEBOWYER]

Wow!Easy there big fella,just a simple question,and Ive done alot of reading.

 

[pops21]

My nearest neighbor is 1/2 mile away,I meant could it cause any damage to my boiler.

He's right. The treated poles when burned creat cancer causing carsnagens. Read up on it.

 

[WetBehindtheEar]

:agree2:

Read the threads around here about OWBs being banned in places that have gone from fairly rural to very sub-urban. You'd be surprised how ticked off people get when they smell green-burnt fires in the backyard of their McMansions.

I'm just sayin'

 

[PURPLEBOWYER]

Point taken.

 

[bowtechmadman]

I split as little as possible. If I can lift it w/o causing another hernia then I don't split it. I also keep a seperate stack for the little woman to fill with when I'm not around (small stuff that she can easily handle).

 

[PURPLEBOWYER]

One of my selling points to momma was,"If we buy this thing you'll never have to mess with the fire again! But thats a good idea Ill just make her a little pile and when she asks whats its for Ill drop the bomb on her:greenchainsaw:

 

[J.W Younger]

I just installed an owb and have been working on getting a pile going,Ive been cutting alot of 2' long 16 to 18" rounds,alot of my friends with owbs say I dont have to split anything,but I think it would be alot easier to maintain a fire with some split to build around a large round I have about 2 cords of split cherry and locust now.When I put this stove in it was march so I was able to fire it for about a month and then let it go out,from what I see it was pretty much load that sucker til you coulndnt load it any more and then just tend it a few times a day.I know that will change come fridgged weather but it seemed to burn well with a few large rounds and then fill in with splt wood.I cant wait for it to get cold!She thinks Im nuts.

Untill you get a years supply of seasoned spilt it all.If you don't have a splitter you're gonna be limited by what will stand on end to about 6" on up but try and split as much as possible to speed up drying.After you get a good supply of seasoned wood 6-8" or what you can one hand up to whatever you can lift and fit tru the door is up 2 you.

 

[Circle B MN]

Wow!Easy there big fella,just a simple question,and Ive done alot of reading.

Please forgive me if I come across a bit harsh, but it is a constant thing with new OWB owners wanting to burn anything that will hold a flame. That idea has created a lot of problems for those of us that choose to install, operate, and maintain our units in a responsible manner with consideration to other. Check out some older posts regarding OWB's, and welcome to the site.

 

[Windwalker7]

I like having a mix of split and whole rounds as stated by yourself and others, it's easier to fill the fire box with different sized wood.


There have been times where all I had were large rounds. It was a pain to try to jam another round in there, that was just a little too big to fit beside the others.

The longer it took me to try to squeeze that round in there, the bigger the fire got as it got more air. Flames would be shooting out the fire box door the longer I struggled with the round. I ended up feeling like I was giving a dragon a dental cleaning.

Better to have different sizes on hand.

 

[kicohman]

Stay away from burning anything in your OWB but wood initially. Avoid the temptation of rairoad ties, poles, etc. It can very easily create pitting and corrosion inside the firebox, and once it starts doing that it is too late. You may be able to get away with it once you get that nice layer of shiny black creosote on the inside because then the firebox is protected, but do not burn anything other then wood at the beginning. In most cases it will also void your warranties.
I have always told people it takes about a year to get a handle on the most efficient way to burn your OWB. I was wrong I am up to 6 years and still counting. I find or figure more out each year. I have found the best combination is green wood with dry seasoned wood. It tends to slow down the burning which reduces how much you have to tend to the fire. If I don't have to split the wood I don't. The bigger around the better. Also my firebox is 4' deep i used to cut 4' long but found it seemed to waste wood. Now i cut 2' long and stack right in the front of the firebox and if I need more I put in 2 stacks, on in back and one if front. Of course all this depends on the style of wood burner you have.