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[markonsite]

What is the smallest diameter that wood should be split for a gassification furnace?  I have noticed when burning in my wood stove that 2-3" pieces after being seasoned for a year will still boil water out of the ends. Should these be split?

[slimjim]

what kind of wood is it.

[mlappin]

Rounds take longer than splits to dry for starters.

[coolidge]

I have found the 3 to 4" splits work for me, you can pack them in nice and tight. They still boil water out of the end, but it's what I have.

[markonsite]

Most of it is hardwood some pine, hemlock. If it needs to be dry to burn in a gasser should I be splitting the 3 & 4" rounds?

[coolidge]

I don't split mine, and some of my longest burn times came from a firebox full of those size rounds.

[LittleJohn]

5" is about the smallest I will split unless; I am real bored or wife is MAD at me (or combination).

[markonsite]

K thanks good info!

[mlappin]

A person could let their splits season a year and rounds season two years, as long as it didn't double the work sorting it while stacking.

[racnruss]

part of the decision how small to split depends on how long you have for it to dry before you burn it.    If you are working on wood for 2-3 years ahead, then leave it bigger but if its this year wood, smaller is better for quick drying.

I usually split rounds 5 inches and bigger, just once to increase drying area.  But, if I am working up a big round, I will split it into bigger triangles 8 inches across or so since the triangles have two split faces to dry quicker.

My experience shows that bigger pieces are better for long burns as long as they've had time to dry.