9 October 2020

Seasoned or Kiln Dried Logs

Seasoned or Kiln Dried Logs? This is a question we are asked regularly so we have written this post to help you understand the difference and choose the best option.

All logs that you burn in your burner or open fire should have a moisture content of less than 20%. This ensures you get a consistent burn with more heat and little smoke. Burning wet wood can cause a build-up of creosote in the flue, which is a risk factor for chimney fires.

Seasoned Logs

Seasoned logs rely on nature to dry. This means that the drying process is a lot longer than that of kiln-dried logs. We season our logs in 10ft lengths for 12-14 months before cutting and splitting the lengths into logs. Once cut into logs of the desired length, they are stored for around 6 weeks in boxes to allow the air to circulate and finish the drying process off. This allows us to achieve a moisture content of less than 20%. We also have barn dried logs under 20% moisture used for bags of logs which, can be collected from the farm.

Kiln Dried Logs

Kiln dried logs are dried in a commercial kiln for a number of days. This dries the logs to less than 20%. The carbon footprint of kiln dried logs is higher due to extra handling and wood & electricity needed to fuel the kilns. The extra handling and fuel for the kilns also means that kiln dried logs come at an increased cost compared to seasoned logs.

Which is better?

When ordering logs during the summer, autumn, and early winter, there isn’t much difference between the two except the price! As long as they are stored correctly, it is a great idea to get seasoned logs delivered over the summer. If you don’t have much storage or need a top-up, kiln dried logs really come into their own at the end of winter and during spring when the weather has been more inclement. However, it’s good to consider that logs will always take in the ambient moisture.