With my shorter wood i am doing this and it is so much better for airflow.Burns great.Also when lighting your cold stove load your 1st logs N/S then the next layer on top E/W.After it gets going and you get your bed of coals switch back to N/S,i think you'll be quite pleased.Can't wait til next year when i can use 16" wood.This 14" to 22" sucks.