why is wood split into slender pieces and arranged loosely in the stove when you use in cooking?

Answer 1

This goes back to what is called the "fire triangle". Fuel, oxygen and energy (heat) are the core elements needed to create a fire.

The reason for spliting wood into slender pieces and loosely stacking them is to maximize the fuel-oxygen-energy triangle. With the wood (fuel) being thinly split it has more exposed surfaces; the loose stacking allows the oxygen to move more freely throughout the pile; which in turn allows the heat to intensify and operate more efficiently.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Fuel load geometry: Small pieces of firewood arranged loosely in a crisscross pattern burn quickly because the combustion air can reach all the pieces at once. Larger pieces placed compactly burn more slowly because there are fewer spaces where the air can penetrate the load. Never add just one or two pieces of wood to a fire. Three or more pieces are needed to form a sheltered pocket of glowing coals that reflect heat toward each other and sustain the fire.

Answer 3

Yu only do that at the start as people have said. What you want for cooking in a stove is hardwood that will go to coals quickly. In large pieces. So you will have a longer steadier source of heat. Cooking in a stove implies baking which needs steady heat for a good amount of time.

Answer 4

if there are gaps in between for air and flames it burns faster and hotter
a single big block will burn slowely and not very hot

Sounds as if you have never cooked on a woiod stove
Also different woods like ceder for example burn hotter than others

add more air and speed up the flames

Answer 5

So that air can circulate.
Then you put the larger pieces of wood on top of the small pieces.

Answer 6

i assume you mean the process of using kindling. The wood is arranged so that there is airflow between the pieces of wood to allow the fire to spread faster.

Answer 7

The small wood will start better and burn faster and then u put in the larger pieces.

Answer 8

section a million : Smaller thinner products of timber are easier to burn and initiate a fire. That´s why this is easier to burn a bite of paper than a telephone pole. section 2 : the reason that they are placed loosely interior the range is to allow air to bypass around the timber. fire desires oxygen (air) to burn.

Answer 9

you want a hot quick burning fire for cooking - arranging loosely allows air in & it burns quicker and hotter.
oh yes and open all the flues to let more air in.

Answer 10

This is a good question, and one that has been the source of confusion for me for a very long time.