Size (Thickness) of Firewood

[Knots]

My stove burns so well that I like big splits. However they have to be dry. I have some big chunks of oak stacked up. They'll be there for a few years...

 

[bodhran]

Hello all:

I'm new to the forum, and have looked at many posts (enjoying them greatly), but haven't found one to answer my question. My apologies if I've missed it, and in that case perhaps you could direct me to the relevant post.

I have three wood stoves:
Osburn 1600 (1.85 cubic foot firebox)
Jotul F100 (Small-medium size)
Jotul F602 (small)

My question is about wood size: Is there a way to determine optimum wood thickness size for a stove? Is there such a thing as wood that, even though it fits in the stove, is too big to burn efficiently? I'm assuming that my practice of mixing large and small pieces in a burn is the best way to use the stoves. But is there such thing as wood that should be split before burning, even though it fits in the stove?

I ask this because I have a new supplier this year, and the wood is much larger (thicker) than I've used in the past. I want to be able to use the wood as efficiently as possible. He has delivered a good mix of large and smaller splits, but I'm wondering if the large pieces might need to be split again? The largest pieces seem to be about 12 inches across.

I would greatly appreciate your thoughts, and apologies for the novice-stye question!

-J

I've noticed the same thing here in Newfoundland, Joos. In years past I have ordered firewood and the size of splits they delivered were way too big for my stove. Laziness on the wood suppliers part.

 

[ironworker]

I like em eight inches those seem the best, twelve is a little too much for me.

 

[begreen]

Wood sellers supply wood to all sorts of customers with various size wood stoves. Some cut everything to 16", some offer a variety of sizes and thicknesses. Ask up front what the thickness range of the splits are that they are selling.