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Firewood Selection & Prep

Eye-level close-up of a neatly stacked firewood pile on pallets with a metal top cover and open sides; a gloved hand holds a moisture meter against the split face of a log in warm evening light, with a blurred farmhouse and trees behind.
Plan your firewood purchases 6-18 months before you need them, depending on species—dense hardwoods like oak require a full year or more, while softer woods like pine can be ready in just six months. Stack your split wood in a sunny, wind-exposed location with the top covered but sides open, allowing air circulation to drop ... Read more
Person in work gloves and boots prepares to split a log round with a wedge-headed maul on a sturdy shin-height chopping block, with stacked firewood, a cabin, and pine trees softly blurred in warm golden-hour light.
Split wood with a single, well-placed strike rather than multiple blows by aiming for existing cracks and the outer edge of the round instead of dead center. Position your maul to follow the wood’s natural grain lines, which radiate from the center like wheel spokes, and you’ll use half the energy while doubling your productivity. ... Read more
Chainsaw splitting a log with precision surrounded by essential safety gear and organized workspace.
Transform your firewood preparation with the raw power and efficiency of a chainsaw – a modern evolution beyond traditional wood splitting methods. While axes and mauls have their place, chainsaw splitting techniques can reduce hours of labor to minutes when properly executed. Master this advanced method by understanding three critical elements: proper log positioning on ... Read more
Concept of Splitting Wood with a Wedge
Welcome to our handy guide on how to split wood with a wedge. You might think splitting is time-consuming, but it’s a breeze with the right tools, like a splitting wedge or a second wedge, and proven techniques. It’s more than just swinging a hammer’s handle. We typically split along the existing crack, using a ... Read more
Concept of Splitting Wedge vs Maul Comparison
Welcome to the art of splitting wood! If you’ve ever wanted to turn a wood log into useful pieces, this guide is for you. You’ll learn about different splitting tools, like the axe, maul, and wedge. Each has a unique role in wood splitting. A splitting axe handle has a sharp blade for cutting wood. ... Read more
Concept of Splitting Axe vs Splitting Maul
If you’re new to splitting wood or still wondering about the best way, you’ve often thought about using either a splitting maul or a splitting axe. More quality tools have been available in past decades, making cutting wood much easier. But if you still need to chop wood, you have two options. You can either ... Read more