Once you've made the investment in a hydraulic log splitter, you'll want to make sure that you're up to speed on the correct techniques for splitting firewood.
Like most skills, the best way to become proficient is to learn from a professional. With that in mind, the RuggedMade crew traveled to the DudeRanchDIY woodyard to listen in as Jared and Jake covered some essential pro tips on splitting wood.
For starters, you'll want to consider the best types of wood to split. Depending upon the area where you live, there could be a variety of tree species available for splitting.
For example, in the Northeast US, several tree species are excellent for wood burning. Hardwoods such as oak, hickory, maple, and ash tend to burn at a slower rate making these species ideal for wood stoves and furnaces.
Softwoods, such as pine and cedar, have a fibrous core that will burn faster than hardwoods. It's always a great idea to split some softwoods into kindling for use when starting a fire.
Best Size for Split Firewood
Let's begin with the log length. Typically, most cut logs (known as rounds) measure 16" long. This length is the best fit for most wood-burning stoves and fireplaces. Also, since it is common to stack a cord of wood in a 4' tall x 8' long x 4' wide rectangle, 16-inch long firewood can be placed neatly into three rows to achieve a 4' width. If you're splitting wood for use in a wood furnace, you may consider longer lengths, such as 24 or 30 inches.
As for the overall width, a 20" diameter round is ideal. This size round is easy to maneuver and can be split efficiently on most log splitters. Also, when using a 4-way wedge, splitting a 20" round into four quarters produces firewood pieces that are optimal for drying and for the length of time they will burn. You can also split a quarter round into two pieces for firewood that is easy to pick up with one hand.
How To Split Wood With Knots
When splitting firewood, you're always going to encounter rounds that contain knots. The best way to split one of these rounds is to position it with the knot facing up and furthest away from the wedge. Using this technique, as the round is pushed into the wedge, it will begin splitting before encountering the knot.
A hydraulic log splitter can handle most types of knots. However, some larger knots might be too big to split safely, so you should not attempt to split the round.
