Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[Dan Conine <dconine@dotnet.com>]

> From: Tony Marzolino <tmarzolino@yahoo.com>
>                 
> Hello All - Has anyone thought of using a stove with a big enough opening that the wood 
> does NOT need to be split?  Our main stove fits a log 18" diameter and up to 
> 24" long.  I only use a chain saw and when absolutely necessary, the old fashion 
> wedge and hammer for those really big logs.  I have never used a mechanical type 
> splitter.
>    
>   Regards,
>   Tony Marzolino
Yup, I've got a stove that takes 18 or 20" diameter and 36" long, but it 
is a darn good way to hurt your back trying to get those lifted and slid 
in the thing. Better to split them to manageable sizes to prevent 
injury, if for no other reason.
It is also better to split for drying purposes, especially for burning 
inside a house with an older chimney, to reduce creosote buildup. I have 
an outdoor burner, but I have learned how inefficient it really is. It 
needs a catalyst system or something, both for efficiency and to reduce 
pollution.

Dan
Belgium,WI