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What to Know About Kiln-Dried Firewood

You’ve probably heard of kiln-dried firewood and wondered if it was worth the cost. Well, here are some reasons to use this method of drying firewood. It’s cheaper than seasoned wood and burns cleaner. You can find kiln-dried firewood in many stores and online. But before you go out and purchase it, read this article to be informed.

Drying Firewood In A Kiln Is A Natural Process.

When freshly felled, firewood is still green and contains approximately 60 percent water. Two main methods to dry it are naturally seasoned firewood or kiln-dried firewood. Kiln-drying reduces the moisture content to 20 percent and makes firewood easier to start. Adding shredded newspaper to the firewood is a helpful addition to kiln-dried firewood.

Kiln-drying firewood kills bugs and removes nearly all moisture, making it more efficient for a fireplace or wood stove. According to a reliable firewood supplier, the result is premium firewood that burns hot and produces minimal smoke. The downside of kiln-dried firewood is its price. Pre-bundles cost a little more to produce, but they are much easier to handle. 

It Can Be Done Year-Round.

Unlike traditional firewood, kiln-dried wood is ready to burn immediately. Kiln drying ensures that the wood is dry when burned, and its lower moisture content means you can use it all year round. However, it does cost more. While purchasing seasoned firewood from a store is cheaper, it is also riskier. Companies may try to rip you off by selling you unseasoned lumber. Unfortunately, not all wood sellers have this advantage, and you’re likely to encounter some problems.

The kiln-dried firewood has no insect problems and is ready to burn when you are. Furthermore, it produces cleaner smoke with fewer particles than other types of firewood. As a result, you can buy kiln-dried firewood year-round and have a consistent supply at any given time. Its low moisture content makes it easier to store and use, as kiln-dried wood is always ready for burning.

It Is Cheaper Than Seasoned Wood.

Why is kiln-dried firewood better for your fireplace? This firewood has been heat-treated to lower moisture levels and kill insects, larvae, fungi, and other harmful organisms. Seasoned firewood doesn’t do this. It takes a long time to dry naturally, and if the wood is not seasoned correctly, it can harbor insects and other invasive organisms for up to two years.

Kiln-dried firewood is cheaper because it is less expensive upfront. In addition, seasoning wood is much less costly than kiln-drying, and it will cost you less in the long run. Since kiln-dried firewood will be used for cooking and heating, seasoned wood is better for your budget. It will also burn more efficiently and produce less smoke.

It Burns Cleaner

When you burn kiln-dried firewood, you will experience a much cleaner burn. The low moisture content of kiln-dried firewood means the firewood burns more quickly and efficiently. This means less energy is wasted trying to burn off excess moisture. Most hardwood logs have a moisture content of about 15 to 20%, which is a good target for kiln-dried firewood. However, seasoned hardwood logs have up to 20% moisture content, and these logs will produce a more difficult fire if they contain higher moisture content.

Because kiln-dried firewood is more consistent in moisture content, it will burn more efficiently and produce less smoke. As a result, kiln-dried logs will produce fewer byproducts and heat up faster than air-dried logs. 

It Is More Efficient.

Unlike regular, seasoned wood, kiln-dried firewood has a much lower moisture content. This means that it burns much more efficiently. This means you can keep more of your logs around the house while preventing mold and insects from growing. This is also why kiln-dried firewood sheds less than regular wood. The difference in moisture content isn’t immediate, but it does add up over time.

Drying firewood is an energy-intensive process. Wood with high moisture content, such as cedar or pine, requires more energy than wood with lower moisture content. Kiln-dried logs typically contain only 15 to 25 percent moisture. Since less moisture is needed for combustion, kiln-dried firewood burns hotter and longer. That means less energy spent on fuel and more money saved.