How to Split Hardwood Firewood

Sometimes, when firewood is cut, it is too large in diameter to season well or fit the firebox or wood stove it is intended for. Splitting the wood can make even large diameter logs usable, as well as allowing them to season more quickly. Someone with scrawny arms and the right technique can split hardwood more quickly and more efficiently than a bulky linebacker swinging uncontrollably. Learn to set yourself up for success, splitting hardwood with a maul or wedges, and finishing the job properly.

·         Use a maul or splitting wedges to split hardwood. A splitting maul is essentially a thicker, more wedge-shaped axe made for splitting hardwood along the grain, with a blunt sledge-hammer edge on the back of the splitting blade. These are typically somewhat heavier than an axe, usually by several pounds, and the weight of the maul makes the job easier.

        Splitting wedges are basically metal wedges that you drive into the wood with a sledge. The benefit of the wedge is that you can place it along the grain to split the wood, then drive it into the exact same place until it splits.

        Axes are used to chop wood, not to split it. It's best to use a maul or splitting wedges if you want to split hardwood.

·         Cut your wood to length. Normal wood stoves and smaller fireplaces usually take a 16 to 20 inch (40 to 50 cm) log, and the shorter the log is, the more easily it will split. You should cut your wood to the most efficient length for your purpose, in terms of both handling and storing it, as well as making it a suitable length for your application.

        Try to cut the ends of each piece of firewood square and flat, as you will need to stand them on end to split them, and crooked cuts will make this difficult to do.