Green wood (that is, wood that has been freshly cut) can take one to two years in the open air to season well enough for burning as fuel.  Because we want our customers to be able to order wood that is ready to use all year round, we ONLY sell kiln dried wood.  But what, exactly, is the process that this wood goes through, and why is it a good choice for consumers?

The Kiln Drying Process explained

At the beginning of the process, the pre-cut green wood is stacked into metal cages, and placed inside the kiln. The kiln, if you can imagine, is much like an oversized oven. Kilns vary in size and shape; however most of them will dry large quantities of wood (as much as 80 pallets) at a time, forcing the water out through sustained air flow and sophisticated systems which allow the water in the timber to escape. How long this takes largely depends on the type of wood being dried, and the type of heat being used.  Typically the process takes a few days, with the temperature reaching 70° C (or about 158° F). All kilns are encompass a digital management system and monitoring sensors, designed to achieve precision in the measurement of humidity and temperature control.

Kilns can be powered by various methods, however most of them utilise a boiler system, heated with wood chips or low quality wood, such as offcuts and brash. This makes valuable use of waste wood and cast offs which would otherwise be disposed of in landfills. There are other types of kilns available that produce the same result, such as dehumidification, solar-powered, vacuum-extraction, and so on.

Why is kiln dried firewood the best choice?

Aside from the obvious speed at which wood can be dried, there are a number of other compelling reasons as to why kiln dried firewood is the best choice for the consumer.

1. Your kiln dried logs will burn efficiently. Green wood can have a moisture content of 50 percent or more, and will not burn efficiently. Consumers who try to burn wet wood can damage the flu of their burners, create a lot of smoke, and pollute the air. This is damaging to the environment and to be avoided at all costs.
 
2. Your kiln dried logs will be consistently dry. Kiln dried firewood will be dried throughout, whereas naturally air-dried firewood can have inconsistent moisture levels.  Wood placed at the centre of a wood stack can still be high in moisture, while wood on the outside of the stack appears is ready to burn.
 
3. Your kiln dried logs are guaranteed to burn. While the cost will be slightly higher than green wood that has been naturally seasoned, you can be sure that your logs will light quickly and easily. With a low moisture content (less than 20 percent), your kiln dried wood will produce more heat per kilogram, ultimately making the benefits economical.
 
4. Your kiln dried logs will be free of insects and mould.  Wood that has been left outside for some time will naturally attract insects, which you will most certainly notice when preparing your fire. Kiln dried firewood is cleaner and healthier for your home.
 
5. Your kiln dried logs are ready whenever you are. If you have left it late in the season to purchase your firewood you need not worry – the kiln dried logs are instantly ready and require no seasoning. When customers run out of firewood in the middle of winter they are at risk of being sold firewood that has not been properly seasoned.  With our high quality kiln dried product, customers can rest easy even when they get caught short at peak times.

The Luxury Wood Company prides itself on selling premium kiln-dried logs that meet a high the standard.  Click here to see our range of kiln dried firewood products.