Nature, cabin, logs, camping, what they all have in common is the fire, and although we are all well aware of the campfire stories, there wouldn’t be any of them if not for fire. Now, there are different beliefs on how to build a campfire or how to make a fire in the first place, and, of course, wood is, let us use the kitchen term, the essential ingredient. For many, chopping wood with an ax is the thing of the past or something you do if there is no other way.
Yes, the technology evolved, and today, we have many other options, and even though some still prefer to chop wood manually, that job is no longer something we need to worry about. But what other way is the best? How to determine whether to split logs via electric chainsaws, gas-powered chainsaws, pole saws, or whether to leave it all to some other type of blades.
Well, the answer is quite simple, and using electric log splitters is one of the best ways and one with the best results. But, we wouldn’t get so far as a society if there weren’t for those who doubt everything, which is why we will now present the top six pros and cons on why using an electric log splitter is the best option.
Pros
1. Safety
Chopping wood is something that many people consider dangerous, and they would be happy if someone else can do that instead of them. When we think further about that, we will see that ax can cause us some severe injuries, and pieces of wood that can fly off while cutting woods can be dangerous too. Regarding that, the electric log splitter is much safer than ax or other blades used for chopping logs, and chances of being hurt are minimized. Of course, it is necessary to follow all the security advice, but once you do that, there is no need to worry about injuries at all.
2. Maintenance
No matter which tool you are using and what you are using it for, all of them need proper maintenance if we want to use them for a long time. When we talk about wood chopping, we need to be aware that every ax or any other blade needs to be sharpened regularly. Besides that, the breaking of the handle can happen often, so it is necessary to change it before the next use.
Buying the electric log splitter can be a great decision since it does not require a lot of maintenance, and it is a tool that can last forever. The only important thing is to oil it regularly, and if you do that, there is no need to worry that it will break or not be ready for the next use.
3. Less effort needed
Using axes or other blades to prepare woods for a fire can be a pretty hard task that requires a lot of effort. Logs need to be cut into smaller pieces, and not all of them are easy to cut like that, so it is necessary to put more effort and time into cutting. If you are cutting them only by an ax, that can be pretty challenging to finish the work without effort because it can be tough to assess some of the woods.
If you choose to use the electric log splitter, the whole job will be much easier because you need to cut the wood once on the size that can fit into the splitter, and it will do all the other work. That means that the splitter will chop that piece into smaller ones that are of almost the same size, and you can use them for the fire right after that.
4. Indoor usage
No matter if you are living in colder climates or you didn’t prepare woods for fire in time, it can be great to know that it is possible to use the electric log splitter inside. Preparing woods outside at low temperatures can lead to freezing since it is not something that can be done quickly, and it can be a lifesaver if you have a garage or some other room where you can put the splitter inside.
The room needs to be big enough to have the possibility to move around the splitter, to do the job efficiently. Since the electric log splitters are not the machines that provide a lot of mess, and it is probably less than in situations when the axes are used, cleaning after chopping the woods will not be hard. The most important thing is that there are no exhaust fumes, which makes them safe for indoor use.
Cons
1. Access to electric power
The electric log splitters need electric power to operate, and that can sometimes be a little difficult to provide. There is no need to worry if you have an electric socket in the garage or somewhere out the house, but it can be a problem if you don’t have it. In those situations, you will need a portable generator to provide the electric power for the splitter because it is impossible to use it without it.
2. The size does matter
It is a sentence that many may not use for log splitters, but it is also the one that can be easily applied to it. Now, many electric log splitters have the capacity of different sizes, meaning that one cannot chop and split just any log, especially not the one that is too long. But this is only in the con section of our list because one can easily avoid this problem by simply buying the one that satisfied their needs. We all know how big of a log we will likely chop, and when we know that, choosing the best electric log splitters should not be a problem.
Summing up
Well, there you have it, and although using electric log splitters has some disadvantages, what we can all agree on is that they are not only efficient but using them will not cost you that much. The only remaining thing to do is to pick the one that suits you the most. There are many manufacturers and types to choose from, and picking the best one may not be the simplest of tasks. That is why websites like Uniforest come in handy, as they offer a great selection of log splitters and also guidance on which one you should choose, based on your preferences and need.