When one pops it appears to be curved and I wonder if that might create the "explosion".
Mine did that once last November as I was splitting more wood that had been down 2 years. I use a "Super Split" (rack and pinion with 150# flywheel) I had one fly apart so hard I got hit at the base of my thumbnail, That damaged spot is slowly growing towards to end of my nail, 5 months later. The Super Split has about a 1 second cycle time. I think it shot out because the wood was frozen.
Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.