If you’re looking for a new log splitter, the first thing to decide is which power source you’re going to use. You need to determine if you’re going to use an electric or a gas log splitter.
There are many aspects to consider when buying a log splitter. For instance, if you know how to split freshly-cut logs, a gas-powered log splitter is your no.1 choice. You should go with an electric log splitter if your wallet is thin, but that’s just one thing to consider.
Let’s have a closer look at the main factors to take into consideration when buying a log splitter. The variety of models is impressive, but if it’s clear for you which power you want to use, you’re going to cut down the number of options by a lot.
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What power do you want for your log splitter?
The selling point for the gas log splitter is the power, rending it to be stronger than the electric counterpart. As you need to plug the electric log splitter into a wall outlet, it means that the electric motor is going to present a finite amount of electrical power. The majority of electrical systems take 110volts, so your electric log splitter can draw a maximum of 110volts. On the cause of the limitation of electricity they can bring, the electric log splitters are always limited by the power that they can produce.
To overcome this downside, mechanical engineers developed a way of increasing the power that an electric log splitter can draw. It’s why most of the electric log splitter wedges are now powered by hydraulics. The impressive spinning flywheel may also power the wedge.
Gas motors pose no worry when it comes to the resource consumption constraint, which is why they’re capable of generating more power. No log is going to be too large for a gas-powered motor to split, as the combustion engine has no limitation in size. The strongest gas log splitter may feature a 255cc motor, able to provide 37+ tons of splitting force.
You should start by giving a good thought about how much power do you need for your jobs. Log splitting is about two phases, with the first phase when you take recently cut stumps from trees and split them into chunks that are easier to manage. The second phase is when you take the logs from the woodpile, breaking them once again before throwing them in the wood-burning stove.
As you split rather large green logs in the first stage, you may need a bit more power for your log splitter. For the second stage, you may manage to finish with less energy.
Therefore, the first stage is always going to work better with a gas log splitter as it provides more power. On the other hand, when you’re only using the tool for the second phase, an electric log splitter is also going to do it.
As for the threshold, a 10-in diameter is going to be enough most of the time. When you’re cutting logs smaller than 10in, an electric log splitter is a reliable choice. For the logs bigger than 10 in, you need to get a gas log splitter.
Are you looking for a log splitter easy to use?
When you need a log splitter that is easy to use, you’re going to have to go with an electric model. You only need to plug in and start splitting.
The gas log splitters do need constant maintenance, but that’s one aspect to consider in terms of use. You need to change oil, spark plugs, apply tune-ups, change oil filters, and so on. For instance, on a cold day, you’ll need to put some effort into making the engine start. If you’re out of gas, the log splitter is going to be done for the day as well.
If you think you don’t have the time nor the will to pay so much attention to a log splitter, you should consider getting an electric log splitter and not a gas type.
We should also mention that as long as the gas tank is full, you may use the gas log splitter where you need it. You don’t need to plug it so you can even use it in the middle of nowhere. The impressive versatility is a selling point for the gas log splitter. You can use a power generator for the electric log splitter, but it means you’ll depend on a gasoline engine. So why not buy the gas log splitter right from the start?
The electric log splitter is lighter than the gas model, with the majority of electric log splitters weighing less than 115pounds. The gas log splitter doesn’t win on this one as it weighs over 500 pounds, making even the transportation a challenge.
As for the size, the electric log splitter wins once again as some models are small enough to fit in the trunk. The electric log splitters don’t use oil on the engine, so you may lay it on its side for a better fit, without worrying about any engine fluids leaking, like in the case of the gas log splitter.
Which one can be used inside?
When you’re only using the log splitter for the stage-two of splitting, it means you’re using it inside nine times out of ten. It doesn’t have to be inside your house; the garage is also indoor space.
As gas motors emit carbon monoxide, you should never use one indoor. You may use it in the garage, but only if you’re cautious about the use. Open the garage door big so that nothing goes south.
You don’t have this sort of problem with the electric log splitters as they don’t generate any dangerous fumes. They’re perfectly safe to use in the garage and inside your home too.
Not only that the electric log splitters don’t generate any dangerous fumes, but they also run quieter than the gas models. As a matter of fact, they’re so quiet that you may use one without even waking up another person sleeping in the other room.
Does the price make a difference?
It kind of makes senses that the stronger log splitter would be more expensive than the weaker model. The electric log splitters with 5-10 tons splitting force can come for prices ranging from $250 to $1000. The more you pay, the more you should expect in terms of durability, strength, and extra features.
With the gas log splitters providing various power, you should expect the majority to present 20-37 tons of splitting force. You’re going to have to open your wallet big, as this power range may cost somewhere between $1000-$5000. Even a cheap gas log splitter is somewhere around $1000. Don’t forget about the maintenance costs, which render to be the gas log splitter a more expensive model than most electric counterparts.
Who’s the winner?
If you go over the details of each type of log splitter, you may notice the ups and downs for both.
The electric log splitters are more affordable, lighter, more comfortable to use, and safe to use even inside your home. You don’t need to take care of them as you would with a gas log splitter. Carrying them around isn’t difficult either as they’re lighter and don’t leak any oil from the engine.
The gas log splitter is the stronger choice any given day, so it all comes down to how much force you need for the log splitting. On the other hand, why get a log splitter that you can carry in your truck if there’s no plug when you need to use it per se?
At the end of the day, when you need to split logs smaller than 10in in diameter, the electric log splitter is going to be a reliable choice. By the contrary, when the logs you need to split are bigger than 10in, you need more power, rending the gas log splitter to be the better option. It’s as simple as that!
Other resources
Gas log splitter vs Electric log splitter
Electric Log Splitter vs. Gas Log Splitter – DR’s Country Life Blog
