On Wed, 18 May 2011 12:37:43 -0400, wrote:

Besides making it fit, what is the purpose of splitting firewood?
To help it dry? To help it burn?

I never used to split except to make it fit into the door of my stove.
[about 12"]

Unsplit wood takes longer to season, but, IMO, stays drier if
uncovered. A 12" diameter log makes a good 'all nighter' in the
stoves I used to have. New airtights might choke on them.

I'm tired of splitting it but not knowing why.

When I got tired of moving wood around I bought a ventless propane
stove. One of the smarter moves I've made in life. Current
propane prices make it a bit higher than firewood-- but the control
and convenience make up for it-- and the stove has been paid for
20times over when propane was cheaper for a few years.

Jim