Kiln Dried Vs Seasoned Firewood – What’s the difference?

When you are buying firewood you should look for wood that has a moisture content level of less than 20% to ensure that the logs give off a long burn.

Two of the most popular options for firewood with less than 20% moisture content are seasoned and kiln dried logs. 

Seasoned Firewood

Seasoned firewood is dried naturally through an open-air process instead of relying on a specialised kiln, resulting in air-dried logs.

This air-drying process can result in inconsistency in the moisture levels. There’s a danger that your wood won’t have dried evenly and this could lead to disappointing fires that are harder to light and more difficult to keep going.

Any extra moisture content in the wood can also lead to a more inefficient burn which means that you could end up using more logs than you might do with other firewood. 

On top of that, you’ll find that seasoned firewood has to fit very specific size requirements in order to be thoroughly dried: seasoned logs should be cut into 25cm lengths with a diameter of between 5 – 15cm.

Kiln-Dried Firewood

Kiln dried logs are dried in a large kiln. This process is much quicker than seasoning and allows for significantly more consistent drying.

With kiln-dried firewood you are pretty much guaranteed a low moisture content (from 20% to as low as 9%). This makes it ideal for getting a fire going for hours with minimal tending and ensures a “clean”, safe burn each time.

Kiln-dried firewood is a great choice for both indoor and outdoor fires, as it can burn long and bright in pizza ovens, open fires, wood burners, and firepits – while ensuring minimal smoke and ash.

Kiln dried logs are also easier to light than other types of log, meaning you can spend less time worrying about getting your fire going and more time enjoying the crackling warmth.

Plus, the ultra low moisture content ensures that you’ll use less wood to achieve the same amount of heat output, saving you money and time spent refilling your wood burner.

So, kiln dried logs are more efficient than seasoned logs, and they’re quicker to light and keep going. For wood burning stoves or indoor fires, kiln dried logs are the perfect option for a consistent fire every time. Plus, the lower moisture content in the wood means there’s less chance of the wood blackening the glass of your stove over time, which is a common problem with wet or improperly seasoned wood.

Which Is Best For Me?

The biggest benefit of kiln-drying wood comes down to efficiency: you can burn fewer logs while ensuring a higher heat output and a cleaner fire free of dangerous creosote.

Seasoned logs are the cheaper option, though you will have to consider the hazards of regularly burning higher moisture firewood and the lower heat output you’re likely to get out of it.

You can also season wood yourself – all you need is some dry space, a moisture meter to keep track of the levels and of course wood and time. This can be a viable option when you’re unable to purchase any kiln-dried logs.

At Caledonian Horticulture the firewood we offer is kiln dried and we believe these logs offer the best burn for your wood burning stove.

Watch our product video for our Kiln Dried Hardwood Logs and see a selection of our best selling firewood below.