Cranfield Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 We have a multi fuel fire and burn logs on it most of the time. The logs are well matured, about 16" long and round, they are also complete, ie not split in half. We light the fire with paper, kindling and when its going well, we put the logs on. My wife thinks I should split the logs into two or three pieces, as they would burn easier (therefore needing less kindling). I agree they probably would, but I believe they would also burn much quicker. She now wants me to explain why two halves would burn quicker than one whole log. Am I right ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel b3 Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 i'm guessing that they would burn hotter and quicker due to the greater surface area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piebob Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 The answer will have something to do with physics, but I've no idea what :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Sounds to me like you want a rocket scientist on that one or train the Mrs to do what she's told! :blink: On another note just to make sure you've the right logs in the first place chech this... LOGS FOR BURNING Beechwood fires are bright and clear if the logs be kept a year. Chestnut’s only good, they say, if for long it’s laid away. Make a fire of elder tree, death within your house shall be. But ash new or ash old is fit for a queen with a crown of gold. Birch and fir logs burn too fast; blaze up bright and do not last. It is by the Irish said, hawthorn bakes the sweetest bread. Elm wood burns like a churchyard mould; e’en the very flames be cold. But ash green or ash brown is fit for a queen with a golden crown. Poplar gives a bitter smoke, fills your eyes and makes you choke. Apple wood will scent your room with an incense-like perfume. Oaken logs, if dry and old, a king shall warm his slippers by. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axeman1984 Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 We have a multi fuel fire and burn logs on it most of the time.The logs are well matured, about 16" long and round, they are also complete, ie not split in half. We light the fire with paper, kindling and when its going well, we put the logs on. My wife thinks I should split the logs into two or three pieces, as they would burn easier (therefore needing less kindling). I agree they probably would, but I believe they would also burn much quicker. She now wants me to explain why two halves would burn quicker than one whole log. Am I right ? ive got a woodburner to mate and i dont bother splitting unless they are some big cartwheels off a trunk so they will fit in, the smaller the logs the quicker they burn, but on the other hand your wife is right smaller split logs do light easyier but its as broad as it is long, no pun intended. fenman....... :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 It's surface area:volume ratio, the same reason as finer-grained blackpowder burns at a faster rate. There is more combustible surface exposed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 thats your answer, so yes they burn faster you will get more heat but you will need more wood so its a catch 22 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kip270 Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 If you ever watch Ray Mears, he splits the logs for more heat, as they burn better :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Hrm, same amount of fuel = same heat - the act of splitting the log doesn't generate more material to burn. I agree with the surface area idea, the fuel will be used faster so you get a more intense heat but for a shorter time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
col s10 Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 got a log burner my self mate.thedo burn quicker when split,i put the whole ones on at night when its bo bo time,that way the burner ticks over all night when banked down.use your split ones for getting the going :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 I'd say more oxygen reaches the carlsberg bits so they burn inwards from more sides :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnGalway Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 My wife thinks I should split the logs into two or three pieces, as they would burn easier (therefore needing less kindling). Show her where the axe is kept :blink: ...but sleep with one eye open Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronan nee Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Hrm, same amount of fuel = same heat - the act of splitting the log doesn't generate more material to burn. I agree with the surface area idea, the fuel will be used faster so you get a more intense heat but for a shorter time. i agree regards ronan :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auto culto Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 they will burn faster. If she is still adamant it wont make a difference prove it to her by recording the time it takes to burn a whole log, then tell her that you want to make love but will treat the fire like an egg timer for the duration of sex. then use the same weight of the log in sawdust :blink: You will have plenty of time for a few pints down the pub Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 More surface area in a log split in half - that is why it burns faster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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