How to Split Logs for Firewood
- 1). Set up the pieces of wood that you are going to split. Pieces of wood that will be split are called rounds. Each round should be no more than 12 inches tall. Longer pieces of wood may not fit into your fireplace or wood burner. The rounds should be set on a flat surface away from anything that may be breakable.
- 2). Strike the piece of wood with the splitting maul. Aim for an area on top of the round that is just off center. Lift the maul over your shoulder and then swing it downward at the wood using your whole body, not just your arms. If the initial swing did not split the wood, use additional swings until the wood is split.
- 3). Separate the piece of wood into several usable pieces. The wood may be intact still, but easily separated. Each round should be separated into four pieces of firewood. Use the split that is now on the round to separate into quarters. You can use your hands to pull the wood apart at the split or you can use the splitting maul to further split the wood until it separates completely.
