Fall is finally here! The leaves are changing, pumpkins are everywhere, and the temperatures are dropping outside. Sweater weather means it’s time for bonfires and nights by the fireplace. Of course, you need high-quality wood to partake in either one of these activities, but what should you choose: seasoned or kiln-dried firewood? In this blog, we’ll compare and contrast each option so that you choose the right firewood for you!
What is Considered Seasoned Firewood?
We’ve all seen a movie or TV show depicting a lumberjack chopping wood in the forest. In most cases, this scene is followed by another showing the person burning what they just cut. Here, the old saying is true: don’t believe what you see in the movies! Wood that’s been recently chopped, also known as green firewood, contains too much moisture to burn properly.
So, how can you remedy this problem? One way is to air-dry it and create seasoned firewood. Seasoned firewood means the firewood has been left out in the elements to dry for an extended period. Sounds simple, right? Not so fast!
How Long Should You Season Firewood?
You should season firewood for at least six months before trying to burn it. In some cases, you might have to wait longer, possibly years. Yes, you read that right, years! As if that’s not crazy enough, it’s difficult to store seasoned firewood.
Leaving a stack of seasoned firewood in a shady area will only increase its moisture level. Here are a few things to keep in mind when storing seasoned firewood:
- Keep the wood in a breezy and sunny area so that light and air make their way through.
- Place a tarp over the wood if rain or snow is coming.
- Leave the wood 5-25 feet away from your garage or home.
That’s a lot to remember, right? It’s also worth noting that because it must dry so long, it’s likely that external factors will compromise its quality. A wind/hailstorm or bugs can ruin your firewood before you even use it. Imagine waiting all that time only to be disappointed—that’s such a headache!
Where Can You Find Seasoned Firewood Near You?
Perhaps the only benefit of using seasoned firewood is that it’s easy to find. For starters, you can produce it yourself. If your chopping skills are up to par, you can cut wood and start the air-drying process right away. However, remember those ridiculous time frames we mentioned? You might wait a while until you can use what you cut down!
It’s worth noting that you can get seasoned firewood from some local firewood companies. However, you should know these companies aren’t always honest. Some of these establishments claim the wood air dried long enough when, in fact, that’s not the case.
As you can see, there are minimal benefits to getting seasoned firewood. If you need more convincing, we’ll overview its counterpart, kiln-dried firewood. Once you learn about it, all your doubts will be squashed!
What is Kiln-Dried Firewood?
Kiln-dried firewood is the exact opposite of seasoned firewood. Instead of air-drying, kiln-dried firewood dries in a kiln at a certain temperature for a specific amount of time. Here at ProCut Firewood, we kiln-dry firewood at 265 degrees Fahrenheit for 36 hours.
So, what’s so special about this method? For starters, you’re guaranteed to have a moisture content at or lower than 20%. This means you’ll be able to light fires easier, and they’ll produce a cleaner burn. Seasoned firewood might take forever to burn if the moisture content is too high. You also might experience more smoke when using seasoned firewood. Nobody wants that!
Kiln-dried firewood is also mold, insect, and fungus-free! That’s right; you won’t have to deal with gnats swarming all around your campfire. It’s also beneficial since it’s easier to transport across state lines. Government officials have strict rules about this because they don’t want foreign diseases infecting their native tree population. So, they won’t allow you to move just any firewood. They want to make sure it’s disease-free to keep other trees safe.
How Long to Kiln Dry Firewood?
As previously mentioned, we kiln-dry our firewood for 36 hours. That’s above the requirements the USDA established. We want to make the firewood as primed to burn as possible, so we go the extra mile.
A bonus is that you don’t have to wait months to use it. Instead, it comes ready to burn right away!
Kiln-dried firewood will ignite easily in your fireplace.
Is Kiln-Dried Firewood Worth It?
Kiln-dried firewood costs a little more than seasoned firewood, but don’t let that deter you! Buying kiln-dried firewood is so worth it! You’ll get a better burn, less smoke, and you won’t have to worry about waiting months to burn it.
Why does it create a better burn, you ask? Kiln-dried firewood is insect and mold-free. If firewood is covered in mold and fungus, it’s more challenging to burn and will not be as clean. Plus, you won’t have creepy crawlers eating away at your supply. What’s better than that?
So, Which is Better?
Who wins this epic showdown? Kiln-dried firewood is the clear winner here! Kiln-dried firewood has a low moisture content that would take months for seasoned firewood to achieve. This low moisture level leads to clean and less smoky burns, and storing it is a lot easier. To us, there’s no competition!
Here at ProCut Firewood, we’re dedicated to getting our customers the best firewood out there. That’s why we sell kiln-dried firewood that’s certified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Plus, we offer convenient delivery services to people throughout the Twin Cities area!
Call (507) 280-7780 to get the supplies you need as we move through fall and slowly approach winter!
