Osburn OB04002 User Manual
Page 14
Stratford
Fireplace Installation and Operation Manual
14 _____________________________________________________________________
3.2.3
LOG LENGTH
Logs should be cut at least 1” (25 mm) shorter than the firebox so they fit in easily. Pieces that are
even slightly too long make loading the fireplace very difficult. The most common standard length
of firewood is 16” (400 mm).
The pieces should be a consistent length, with a maximum of 1” (25 mm) variation from piece to
piece.
3.2.4
PIECE SIZE
Firewood dries more quickly when it is split. Large unsplit rounds can take years to dry enough to
burn. Even when dried, unsplit logs are difficult to ignite because they don’t have the sharp edges
where the flames first catch. Logs as small as 3” (75 mm) should be split to encourage drying.
Wood should be split to a range of sizes, from about 3” to 6” (75 mm to 150 mm) in cross section.
Having a range of sizes makes starting and rekindling fires much easier. Often, the firewood
purchased from commercial suppliers is not split finely enough for convenient stoking. It is
sometimes advisable to resplit the wood before stacking to dry.