What is kiln dried fire wood?

Kiln dried firewood refers to wood that has been dried in a kiln to reduce its moisture content. This makes the wood burn hotter, faster and more efficiently than wood with a higher moisture content. Kiln drying firewood has become increasingly popular in recent years as more people look to maximize the heat output and efficiency of their wood burning stoves and fireplaces.

Why Choose Kiln Dried Firewood?

There are several key benefits to using kiln dried firewood over regular ‘wet’ wood:

• Burns hotter and more efficiently – The process of kiln drying removes moisture from the wood, allowing it to burn significantly hotter and produce more heat energy when burned. Less moisture means the fire will burn cleaner and more efficiently.
• Fewer sparks and cracks – Wet wood is more likely to sputter and spark when burned due to the moisture content. Kiln dried wood burns cleaner with fewer sparks that can damage your stove or fireplace.
• Less smoke – With less moisture, kiln dried firewood produces significantly less smoke when burned, making it cleaner for your home.
• Less creosote buildup – The moisture in wet wood condenses in your chimney as creosote, a flammable deposit. Kiln dried wood produces less creosote buildup due to the lack of moisture.
• Easier ignition – With less moisture, kiln dried firewood lights faster and requires less kindling to get a fire going.
• Burns longer – Pound for pound, kiln dried firewood provides more heat energy as it burns, lasting longer per fire.
• Ready to burn immediately – Freshly cut ‘green’ wood requires 9-12 months of seasoning to dry out enough to burn efficiently. Kiln dried wood is ready immediately.

Overall, switching to kiln dried firewood can provide a hotter, cleaner and more efficient wood burning experience.

How Kiln Dried Firewood is Made

Kiln dried firewood goes through a specialized drying process to lower its moisture content from around 30-50% down to 15-25%. Here are the key steps:

1. Sourcing the wood – Quality hardwoods like oak, maple and ash provide the best firewood. The logs are cut and split to 3-6 inches in thickness.
2. Kiln drying – The wood is placed inside a large drying kiln that blows heated air at up to 160°F across the logs, slowly removing moisture.
3. Monitoring the moisture – During the 1-6 week kiln drying process, the moisture content of the wood is continually monitored until it reaches the target level.
4. Remove and restack – Once fully dried, the wood is removed from the kiln and stacked to allow moisture levels to stabilize and equalize.
5. Package and distribute – Finally, the kiln dried firewood is packaged in bundles or truckloads and distributed to retail stores or direct to the customer.

Kiln drying using high heat allows the firewood to be dried rapidly and thoroughly to the optimal moisture content for clean, efficient burning. It gives consistent results not possible with regular air dried wood.

How Dry Should Kiln Dried Firewood Be?

For the best results, kiln dried firewood should have a moisture content between 15-25%. Here are some guidelines:

• 15-20% moisture content – Provides maximum heat output. Burns fastest and most efficiently.
• 20-25% moisture content – Still considered kiln dried. Slightly less heat output than 15% moisture wood.
• 25-30% moisture content – Borderline kiln dried. At the high end of acceptable moisture range for kiln dried wood.
• 30%+ moisture content – Not considered kiln dried. Will burn poorly and inefficiently.

Ideally you want the lowest moisture content possible, around 15-20%, for the best performance and heat from your firewood. If buying, inspect the wood and ensure it claims to be kiln dried to at least 25% moisture or lower.

How to Check Moisture in Firewood

It’s important to verify the actual moisture content of any kiln dried firewood you purchase. Here are 3 ways to check the moisture levels:

1. Get a moisture meter – A wood moisture meter can quickly and accurately read the internal moisture content. Just probe the splits and it will give you the percentage moisture content reading.
2. Do a visual inspection – Look for cracks radiating from the center, as this shows the wood has dried and shrunk. Also check for loose or peeling bark.
3. Knock two pieces together – Kiln dried wood with make a sharp “crack” sound when knocked together, while wet wood makes a dull “thud” sound.

Testing the moisture content yourself ensures the firewood has been properly kiln dried before burning. If it has high moisture levels, return it for properly dried wood that is ready to burn.

Where to Buy Kiln Dried Firewood

You can purchase kiln dried firewood from several sources:

• Firewood suppliers – Look for suppliers that specialize in selling kiln dried firewood. Reputable operations will provide moisture content information.
• Hardware stores – Some home improvement and hardware stores like Home Depot sell packaged kiln dried firewood.
• Online retailers – Many firewood retailers now sell online and will ship kiln dried firewood to your home.
• Direct from kilns – You may be able to buy discounted wood directly from a local kiln drying operation.
• Classified ads – Check craigslist or local classifieds for people selling kiln dried firewood in your area.

When purchasing, always verify the moisture content promised matches what you measure on the wood. Suppliers with kiln drying expertise and equipment tend to provide the most consistently dried wood.

What Types of Wood are Best for Kiln Drying?

While all wood can be kiln dried, some firewood options are better suited than others. The best wood for kiln drying includes:

• Oak – Dense, burns slow and steady with excellent heat. One of the best woods for kiln drying.
• Maple – Hard and dense. Dries uniformly. Provides great heat output.
• Ash – Dries easily with consistent shrinkage. Burns cleanly and efficiently.
• Beech – Very dense wood that dries nicely and has high heat energy.
• Birch – Medium-hard wood that dries easily. Burns hot.
• Apple – Solid performer due to its density. Fragrant smoke smell.

Softwoods like pine as well as wood with very high sap levels are harder to kiln dry effectively. The best firewood will be moderate to high density hardwoods that dry evenly.

Storing Kiln Dried Firewood

Proper storage is important to maintain the low moisture levels of kiln dried firewood over time. Follow these storage tips:

• Stack under cover – Keep wood stacks under a roof or tarp to prevent rain re-wetting.
• Elevate off ground – Place on scrap wood or pallets to promote air circulation under the stack.
• Allow space between stacks – Don’t pack tightly. Allow 6-12 inches between stacks.
• Avoid contact with exterior walls – Don’t stack right against walls which can transmit moisture.
• Check periodically – Re-check moisture content occasionally and burn or re-dry any wood that is re-absorbing moisture.

With good storage practices, kiln dried firewood can retain its low moisture content and burn readiness for a year or more after initial drying. Wet wood can ruin an entire season’s supply, so keep it dry.

Safety Considerations When Burning Kiln Dried Wood

While providing great benefits, the high heat output of kiln dried firewood also comes with some safety considerations:

• Risk of over-firing – The increased heat can damage stoves if burned at excessively high temperatures.
• Chimney fires – Always check for chimney buildup and clean before burning very dry wood.
• Proper ventilation – Ensure your stove or fireplace has adequate oxygen intake so the fire doesn’t smolder.
• Appropriate stove/fireplace – Make sure your unit is rated to handle the heat output potential of very dry wood.
• Use a stove thermometer – Monitor flue temperatures and avoid over-firing conditions.
• Don’t leave unattended – Stay nearby until the fire is well established and stable.

Exercise common sense and caution when first using very dry kiln dried wood in your home. Understand your stove’s capabilities and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for proper use.

Is Kiln Dried Firewood Worth the Extra Cost?

Due to the specialized processing and equipment required, kiln dried firewood costs significantly more than regular ‘wet’ wood – often double the price or more per cord. The key benefits are:

• More clean heat energy per pound – Kiln dried wood provides up to 50% more usable heat pound for pound.
• Faster heat – Heats your space significantly faster than wet wood.
• Convenience – No seasoning time required. Ready to burn immediately.
• Cleaner burning – Less smoke and creosote. Improved home air quality.
• Peace of mind – Know you’re getting wood guaranteed to 15-20% moisture or less.

While more expensive up front, you ultimately use less wood for the same amount of heat. The benefits often justify the higher cost for many homeowners who rely on their wood stove or fireplace.

Conclusion

Kiln dried firewood provides a premium wood burning experience compared to wet, unseasoned wood. The specialized drying process reduces moisture content to 15-25%, allowing for a hotter, cleaner burn. Look for well-known hardwoods like oak, maple and ash that have been kiln dried by a reputable supplier. Store the wood properly to maintain its dryness. Exercise caution when first burning kiln dried wood as the increased heat output can pose risks if not used carefully. Overall, kiln dried firewood is worth considering for anyone who relies heavily on their wood stove or fireplace and wants the highest performance possible from their firewood.