Electric Vs Gas Log Splitter: What You Need To Know For Perfect Differences

Whether it is an electric or gas log splitter, both are popular and valued enough to invest in. And, both of them have high demands compared to other log splitters.

That’s what raises the issue of Electric Vs Gas Log Splitter. However, defining them in a conventional manner doesn’t solve it all.

So, a proper guide is a must. This article here combines all the ins and outs of these two log splitters. Also, you will get through all the Pros and Cons of Gas vs. Electric Splitters. Let’s check it out!

Electric Vs Gas Log Splitter: What’s The Difference?

Choosing one from the battle Electric Log Splitter vs Gas Log Splitter demands a full proof comparative analysis. So, I did! Determine yours by following these criteria-comparisons.

What Is?

Electric Log Splitter: Electric Log Splitter goes by its name. This splitter uses an electric motor as a power source to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. You will get a power cord with it. This extension-cord handy model is compatible enough to get a power supply from the wall outlet. Usually, the models are either kinetic log splitters or hydraulic models working as their power type. In general, most of these electric models allow horizontal position.

Gas Log Splitter: Gas Splitter uses an engine that runs on combustion. Eventually, the gas engines transform different types of fuel into mechanical force. Like electric wood splitters, gas-powered log splitters are also run by super-fast kinetic models and traditional hydraulic models with a two-way splitting ram. Additionally, both horizontal splitters and vertical log splitters are available in the market. Moreover, some gas models also allow the conversion between these two modes.

Ease Of Use

Electric Log Splitter: These Splitters are pretty simple to use. In fact, some of these have portable models that have wheels and handles in them. Hence, you can easily cart these around to the log-storages. Besides, in cold weather, these are more of a friendly option for log splitting. Eventually, an electrical log splitter can work in two ways depending on the design of the splitter. For instance, the system either swings the blade at the log or pushes the log into the blade to split it.

Gas-powered Splitters: They are easy to use as you do not need to plug them into an electrical socket. The oil pump builds pressure to activate a valve to help the cylinder splitting the log. In addition, you will be at ease with the fallen piece of wood as the catcher trays on the side will collect them when they fall from the splitter bed. Besides, many of these have additional features. For instance, these can be converted both into vertical splitters and horizontal splitters. However, these are not ideal for indoor usage because of their fume exhaustion.

Power Source And Maintenance

Electric Log Splitters: Electric Log Splitters use motors that need an electrical circuit for the particular amperage. Eventually, these are low maintenance as there is no refueling. You need an electrical outlet to plug it up. However, check the tubes regularly and keep the moving parts lubricated.

Gas Log Splitters: Gas Log Splitters need mineral oil like gasoline, diesel as fuels for their engines. Like other gas engines, these need regular maintenance. The spark plug may require replacement on its usage basis. Besides, changing out the fuel oil and checking the fuel level on a regular basis are the mandatory maintenance parts. However, these seem pretty time-consuming but easy to check on.

A quick tip: It is safe to use covers for heavy-duty log splitters. Get yours from these weather-resistant quality covers.

Tonnage And Capabilities

Electric Log Splitters: These splitters have a great tonnage range that suits the homeowners best. Commonly, you will find numerous models offering 5-10 tonnage capacity. Thus, you can easily go with a log with a diameter of up to 12 inches and has less than 24 inches of length. Besides, these ensure your safety from getting caught in the ram with the two-hand operation modes. Last but not least, these come with log bed cradles that lead the logs efficiently to the splitting wedge.

Gas Log Splitters: On average, gas log splitters provide 8-16 tonnage capacity. And with that, these can split up to 21 inches long logs having 13 inches in diameter.

In general, electric and gas log splitter models with 5-6 tonnage capacity can split logs with a diameter up to 10 inches. But for a giant log having 24 inches in diameter needs 20 tons of splitting force. However, a splitter with 30+ tonnage can split a dense log with 1501-2200 pounds of hardness. Besides, it is capable of splitting a 30 inches long log with a diameter of 24 inches.

Durability

Electric Log Splitter: Electric Log Splitter comes in hydraulic and kinetic power types. Both of them are durable enough for softer, well-seasoned wood logs. Eventually, the electric log splitters with hydraulics provide more extensive force than others. However, homeowners can get more convenience and durability with the super-fast kinetic ones splitting smaller logs. One more thing, the copper-wound motors are durable enough to last for many years.

Gas Powered Splitter: Gas-powered Splitter comes with a powerful engine. For tougher hardwood logs, gas-powered hydraulic log splitters are the most durable ones. As I mentioned earlier, hydraulic splitters produce greater force than kinetic log splitters. Hence, these have durable steel components. Besides, these provide great log capacity for splitting logs with harder wood.

A point to be noted, for both electric and gas log splitters, check the hardened steel wedge and other mechanical components. That is because the quality of these parts affects the overall splitting capacity and durability of the log splitter.

The Pros and Cons of Gas vs. Electric Splitters

After all the essential criteria, here comes the core comparison part. Consider the pros and cons properly according to your requirements.

Pros

Electric Log Splitter

• More eco-friendly than the gas-powered splitter.
• Weighs lighter than other types of log splitters.
• Functions quietly. So, stop worrying about disturbing the neighbors.
• Requires less maintenance.
• Costs less than the gas log splitters.
• Offers zero trouble of changing the fluids.
• Compatible enough to use anywhere with a standard electrical outlet.
• Can be set up on a stand, a bench, or even at an open ground level.
• Has compact size. Besides, some models feature wheels and handles for portability.

Gas Log Splitter

• Does not need any electrical socket.
• Powerful enough for heavy-duty splits.
• Available with an extensive tonnage range.
• Less time-consuming with its fast cycle time.
• Has catcher trays to collect fallen wood pieces.
• Can split long logs with long strokes of the welded cylinder rods.
• Can cover all types of commercial and regular usages.
• With four-way blades, the log can be split into four pieces with one push.

Cons

Electrical Log Splitter

• Has to be near an outlet.
• Needs generator for splitting logs in remote locations.
• Comes with low tonnage range.
• Mostly comes with horizontal models.
• Can mostly handle average firewood log sizes.

Gas Log Splitter

• Heavier than those electric models.
• More expensive as its high maintenance costs more with its combustion engine.
• Operates louder than those electric wood splitters.
• Needs regular maintenance.
• Suits the outdoors only for the fume exhaustion.

Electric Vs Gas Log Splitter: Which One Is The Right Choice For Your Work?

Of course, considering work priorities in this “Electric Log Splitter vs Gas Log Splitter” analogy is a precondition for choosing compact log splitters. But to choose one that depends on what kind of work you do.

Besides, the usage basis like regular use, occasional use also play a vital role here. Commercial units deal with large logs with extensive hardness. Hence, you will need a powerful engine for that amount of professional workload.

Also, a robust engine with high tonnage will be much more durable for regular usage. Therefore, I highly recommend the gas log splitters for any type of heavy-duty or commercial works.

However, prioritizing portability and quietness if your work includes softer and smaller logs, go with the electric log splitter. Basically, these are for occasional work that you can do close to your home.

Well, that was the whole idea of differences between two of the popular log splitters. I hope this helps you choose the right one from that ultimate Electric Vs Gas Log Splitter battle. And if you have budget priorities and consideration for more particular criteria, give these log splitters a try. Lastly, consider the key factors properly and invest in a quality log splitter.