What Are Kiln Dried Logs?

Theheatchief.com may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to the user) from Amazon and other online retailers if a purchase is made after clicking a link. I appreciate your continuing support.

What Are Kiln-Dried Logs?

Kiln-Dried Logs are logs that have been split for firewood, then placed in a large industrial kiln to be dried. During the drying process, over 80% of the moisture is removed from the log, the wood is then stacked and shipped and used in wood-burning stoves and on domestic fires. Kiln Dried Logs generally have a moisture content of 20% or less. This means the firewood will burn hotter and cleaner than standard firewood.

Do Kiln-Dried Logs Burn for Longer?

Kiln-dried logs burn slightly quicker than standard logs. However, the dried logs produce more heat because there is less moisture present in the wood. When water is present in the wood, the logs burn slower, the fire produces less heat energy and the higher the content of moisture the less heat the log can produce.

Are Kiln Dried Logs Environmentally Friendly?

In the long run, Kiln dried logs are more environmentally friendly than standard logs. The logs burn cleaner than standard firewood and weigh a lot less. The weight is an important factor when considering transportation costs.

As with all environmental issues, it is not easy to quantify exactly how much energy and pollution is created by drying the logs in a kiln. Most firewood plants, however, are very conscious of the environment and sustainability issues even recycling the flakey, small pieces of waste wood and bark to fire the kilns.

There are two main reasons why kiln dried logs weigh less:

  • Much of the flakey wood and bark is removed from the logs before going into the kiln to be dried. This takes place at the firewood plant.
  • Removing the moisture reduces the weight of the wood. In fact, nearly as much as 18 tons of wet wood can go into a kiln and 12 tons of dry wood comes out wood. That’s a huge saving of 6 tons!

Why are Kiln Dried Logs more Expensive?

Kiln-dried logs are more expensive than standard firewood. This is because the drying process needs a kiln to dry the wood and manual labour to load the kiln. Generally, the firewood is from managed, sustainable woodlands which all adds to the cost of producing kiln-dried firewood.

How Much do Kiln Dried Logs Cost?

The average cost in 2021 of 1m³ of kiln dried logs delivered in the UK is £181. The price of these logs can go up and down depending on the size of logs that have been ordered. You can generally order the logs in 25cm, 35cm, and 50cm lengths. Ordering a greater quantity of logs will greatly reduce the price.

Average price of Kiln Dried Logs in the UK 2021:

  • A Bulk Bag Hardwood Kiln-Dried Logs 1 cubic metre – £181.00.
  • One Bulk Bag Mixed Kiln-Dried Logs 1.2 cubic metres – £199.00.
  • A Bulk Bag Mixed Kiln-Dried Logs 1.6 cubic metres – £249.00

How much do Kiln-Dried Logs Weigh?

Of course, dry logs weigh less than wet logs, they also use up less space when stacked. This is because the logs have had the bark and flakey pieces of wood removed.

1 cubic metre of kiln dried logs weighs approximately 415 kg

1 cubic metre of standard seasoned firewood logs weighs approximately 664 kg.

Can Dry Logs still get wet and soak up moisture?

Although logs that come out of the kiln have a reduced moisture content of 80%, it is very unlikely that the logs can soak up much moisture from the atmosphere around them. Storing kiln-dried logs properly is important to ensure the rain doesn’t fall on them and that they don’t soak up moisture up from the ground.

Storing Fire Wood Tips:

  • Ensure the logs are stored off the ground. Stacking them on a spare pallet or two long strips of wood. The logs don’t need to be high off the ground, just a couple of inches is fine. This will stop the logs soaking up moisture from the ground and enable air to circulate around the stack.
  • It is not necessary to store the kiln-dried logs in an airtight container. There is still some moisture content to the logs and as they continue to dry out it is important for the moisture to escape.
  • A loose-fitting tarpaulin is perfectly adequate. If you can stretch to a purpose-built log store, that would be ideal.
We will be happy to hear your thoughts

      Leave a reply

      The Heat Chief
      Logo