Actually I like both options. I always start a fire N/S, but there are times when I load E/W for a slower burn.
I don't understand why someone would want to load a stove e/w? I tried it a few times when I first got my Blaze King and it was a pain to get wood in there without getting your hands or arms cooked!
Some manufacturers realize the difficulty with properly loading these goofy E/W fireboxes so they either add side doors (like my heritage) or completely eliminate the front door (like woosdstock). My heritage is only 1.5 CF but takes a 21 inch log E/W. I only use the side door. Really, have only ever opened the front door for cleaning.
The North American market demands a large viewing window and long splits. E/W fireboxes maximize the window size and allow long splits of wood.
Also, the stoves overall footprint is smaller since it doesn't stick out into the room so much if it is built like a dresser.
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