Wood splitting

[zakkyc]

For stick burner folks: I have a hydraulic wood splitter which does just fine at getting my splits down to appropriate size for my firebox, however I’m considering just your basic standup kindling splitter, the kind you just manually hit the wood with a sledgehammer to split. Yes, the hydraulic splitter requires minimal effort but it’s kind of a pain to bend down to it for 10-20 minutes on end depending on how many splits I’ve gotta do. I feel like I could split the wood faster by hand. Any thoughts from people who have used both and have preferences?

 

[02ebz06]

I have not used a splitter for BBQ purposes, but for a pizza oven.
Just used it on larger pieces.
I had a Kindling Cracker, but just used it to make kindling to get fire started in the oven.
Would think using larger size logs in it would require a larger hammer than I had used.
My worry would be damaging the Kindling Cracker with a sledgehammer.
Maybe you are thinking of something different than what I had.

 

[zakkyc]

I have not used a splitter for BBQ purposes, but for a pizza oven.
Just used it on larger pieces.
I had a Kindling Cracker, but just used it to make kindling to get fire started in the oven.
Would think using larger size logs in it would require a larger hammer than I had used.
My worry would be damaging the Kindling Cracker with a sledgehammer.
Maybe you are thinking of something different than what I had.

Yeah that’s essentially what I was thinking of. I hadn’t thought of potentially damaging it. I’ve never used one so not sure how much force they can handle!

 

[02ebz06]

They are beefy, but I suspect a mishap with a sledge could bend the ring or damage the cutter.

 

[Gonna Smoke]

For further splitting already split wood, this works pretty good...

https://www.amazon.com/Firewood-Splitter-Detachable-Electric-Drills/dp/B0BS5Y6B1W/ref=asc_df_B0BS5Y6B1W&mcid=a9338f7df39b3f52b71115c6d62697f7?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=79989603208651&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583589122848466&psc=1

There are a bunch of different ones out there, just do an interweb search for log splitter drill bit...

 

[zakkyc]

For further splitting already split wood, this works pretty good...

https://www.amazon.com/Firewood-Splitter-Detachable-Electric-Drills/dp/B0BS5Y6B1W/ref=asc_df_B0BS5Y6B1W&mcid=a9338f7df39b3f52b71115c6d62697f7?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=79989603208651&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583589122848466&psc=1

There are a bunch of different ones out there, just do an interweb search for log splitter drill bit...

Thanks for the info!

 

[Smokin Okie]

I've just used a Kindling Cracker but lately I've been using an Estwing Fireside Friend more than the Cracker.

I use a chainsaw to cut the 16" splits in half, get them down to 8" . And then use a 3# mallet and the Fireside Friend to split them.

But I don't do a lot at once. Just enough for the cook I've got going.

I don't have a hydrualic splitter.

 

[Gonna Smoke]

I've just used a Kindling Cracker but lately I've been using an Estwick Fireside Friend more than the Cracker.

I use a chainsaw to cut the 16" splits in half, get them down to 8" . And then use a 3# mallet and the Fireside Friend to split them.

But I don't do a lot at once. Just enough for the cook I've got going.

I don't have a hydrualic splitter.

I had been doing the exact same thing except with this...

That is until the handle came out of the head. I like the one you posted as it's all forged...

 

[Smokin Okie]

I've got the Kindling Cracker attached to a 12" " stump " . But it won't stay attached. The " stump " is about 4 yo now and its started to rot. I gotta find something better to attach it to.

 

[02ebz06]

I've got the Kindling Cracker attached to a 12" " stump " . But it won't stay attached. The " stump " is about 4 yo now and its started to rot. I gotta find something better to attach it to.

I made a base for mine out of 2x4's and a plywood top.
But had a cover for it to keep rain & snow off it.
Even had a hole in the top to drop the hammer handle into.

 

[forktender]

zakkyc
Buy this, they are amazing, I've never used anything better.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=fiskars+wood+splitter

I don't even use the hydro splitter anymore, between the fireplace and my smokers I burn about a cord and a half these days.
I split oak rounds that are 20'' to smaller 6-8'' rounds. My back is a complete abortion, I'm held together with screws, and rods, but I still love cutting and splitting wood for the fireplace and smoker. Granted, I can't do it all in the same day, or week really, I still gett'er done, and I totally understand what you mean by splitting is a personal thing for you, because it is to me as well.

The Fisker splitter works amazingly well, check out the reviews.

Just buy one, you'll thank me later.
Dan.

 

[nlife]

I was skeptical on how well the Fiskars would work, but now I have a lineup of them. Hatchet for kindling (x11) while camping, a bigger one (x15) for my Boler and splitting while out camping. I have the 8lb sledge for really big rounds, though my shoulders can't take swinging it all day so I picked up the x27 for initial splitting. I'll grab the sledge when I get a really tough log.

 

[jcam222]

I have a kindling cracker I use to fine tune sizes at the smoker. That and a small one handed sledge.