Enduring the coldest nights won’t be a problem if you have a fireplace powered by kiln dried firewood. See a number of reasons why kiln-dried wood is the best for your fireplace and why they are good during the winter.
Drying firewood is an important part of processing wood logs. It transforms freshly cut or “green” wood into efficient and safe firewood. Green wood contains a high moisture content, often ranging from 30% to 60%, which can make it difficult to burn.
In any case you need kiln-dried firewood, naturally seasoned firewood, or boiler wood, check our Timber Ridge Firewood store. We have them in bags or bulk. and we deliver kiln-dried firewood to your doorstep.
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How to Make Kiln Dried Firewood
As the name states, it involves drying firewood in an oven (the better term for that is a ‘kiln’), drawing out moisture from the wood. First, large log pieces are split into even pieces and tied into bundles.
Then, they are stacked inside a kiln. With fans, wood is exposed to hot air with temperatures around 140°F to 160°F for a set period, usually a few days to a week, to remove moisture quickly and uniformly. Hot air continuously circulates around the wood, drawing out moisture.
Kilns for drying firewood are usually massive, being able to dry several cords of wood at a time. Wood stays inside for some time until moisture levels are reduced to acceptable levels.
Kiln dried vs seasoned firewood
On the other hand, seasoned firewood is made by carefully stacking split firewood in a large shed or warehouse, allowing natural, ambient air to circulate over time. This process typically takes 6 months to a year, depending on the type of wood, climate, and how it’s stored. The wood is stacked and exposed to sunlight and wind, allowing the moisture to evaporate gradually.
The problem is that it takes so much time for naturally seasoned firewood to dry. Also, climate plays a big role in the process. If it rains or snows a lot, wood takes more time to dry.
Is Kiln-Dried Firewood Good or Not?
Kiln drying dries out firewood much faster than natural seasoning does.
Properly dried wood, or seasoned firewood, typically has a moisture content of 20% or less, allowing it to burn more efficiently, produce more heat, and create less smoke.
Note that dry wood catches flame more quickly, so it is easier to light and you will have a good fire quickly. It is a dry firewood and among the driest you can get.
It used to be expensive. But now, more and more suppliers (like us at Timber Ridge Firewood) make and supply kiln-dried wood at more affordable prices.
Looking for dry firewood for sale near me? Get high-quality, seasoned firewood delivered right to your door with Timber Ridge Firewood.
Why Use Kiln Dried Firewood for Winter?
One of the primary reasons drying wood is important is the increase in energy output. Wet wood requires more energy to evaporate its moisture before it can burn, resulting in less heat for your home or fireplace. Therefore, for the winter, you want wood to be as dry as possible.
Another reason to dry firewood is to reduce creosote buildup. Creosote is a byproduct of burning wood with high moisture content and can accumulate in chimneys or flue systems, increasing the risk of chimney fires. Dry wood burns more cleanly, producing less creosote and helping to maintain a safer, more efficient fireplace or wood stove.
Furthermore, drying wood helps prevent the growth of mold, fungus, and insects that thrive in damp environments. Properly seasoned firewood is less likely to rot and attracts fewer pests, ensuring a cleaner and more reliable fuel source.
Lastly, dry firewood is easier to handle, lighter in weight, and simpler to store. The drying process ensures that your firewood is ready to use, providing consistent, reliable heat with fewer maintenance issues. Drying wood is essential to maximizing the safety, efficiency, and convenience of using firewood for heating or recreational purposes.
It burns at a higher temperature, providing more heat for the same volume of wood. This efficiency makes dried firewood an ideal choice for heating homes, cabins, or outdoor spaces.
Where to buy kiln dried firewood?
Winter is the time where everyone is looking for firewood. Naturally seasoned firewood takes a lot of time to make, so choosing kiln-dried wood is often a better choice.
Note that it tends to have a lower moisture content than naturally seasoned wood. It catches fire quickly and burns a lot hotter, so you only need to burn less to achieve adequate heat level.
A clean burn is what you need. Kiln-dried wood fuel has less creosote, so sticking to it means there will be less sooty buildup in your fireplace chimneys or flues. Oven drying also kills molds, fungi, and insects that reside in the wood. It is a safer choice.
Lastly, kiln-dried wood is lighter and easier to stack. No need to hurt your back carrying stacks of them from your shed to the fireplace.
Go to a supplier that does kiln dried firewood delivery. If you’re in Calgary and nearby areas, just search for ‘kiln dried firewood near me’ and search for our store. Timber Ridge Firewood has kiln dried firewood for sale, in bags or in bulk, and we serve homes, businesses, campsites, and commercial establishments. Order from us now!