Are you trying to determine whether kiln-dried or seasoned firewood is your best option for long, hot, clean-burning fires? We get it – 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 which is the best option? In this blog, we’ll compare 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. This scene is usually 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 Can You Season Firewood?
Sometimes, seasoning firewood is necessary. For example, you may cut some on your property as a backup source to your kiln-dried wood, or you may not want the wood you cut to go to waste. Alternatively, you might not live close enough to a provider of kiln-dried wood.
When needed, here are the steps to seasoning firewood:
- Split your green firewood: Aim to get the pieces between roughly 12 and 18 inches
- Stack it: Remember to leave room for airflow when stacking
- Protect it: Use a tarp or woodshed to keep rain and the elements from ruining your firewood before it can be adequately seasoned
- Let it sit: Your green firewood will need to dry for six months to a year
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!
It’s also worth noting that because it must dry for so long, external factors are likely to compromise its quality. A wind/hailstorm or bugs can ruin your firewood before you use it. Imagine waiting all that time only to be disappointed—that’s such a headache!
How Much Does Seasoned Firewood Cost?
The cost of seasoned firewood can vary significantly based on several factors. Factors affecting price include location, supplier, wood species and more. The best way to get an accurate cost estimate for your region is to look online or request quotes from at least three local suppliers.
Why Would Seasoned Firewood Not Be Burning Well?
If you’ve let your wood dry for six to 12 months, but it’s just not burning well, a few things may have happened. These include:
- Wood is too wet: You may need to let it season longer, but it isn’t uncommon for seasoned firewood to never reach a low enough moisture content.
- Wood is decomposing: Sometimes, wood considered “well-seasoned” has begun to decompose and is no longer dense enough to maintain a hot, long fire.
- Wrong tree species: Some trees don’t make excellent firewood because they’re not dense enough or produce sticky sap.
- Not seasoned long enough: It’s easy to get impatient, but seasoning takes at least half a year (and sometimes several years), and you may not have waited long enough.
Seasoned firewood produces a lot of smoke and debris, like this fire.
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 immediately start air-drying. 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. We’ll overview its counterpart, kiln-dried firewood, if you need more convincing. Once you learn about it, all your doubts will be squashed!
What is Kiln-Dried Firewood?
Kiln-dried wood is the exact opposite of seasoned firewood. Instead of air drying, it dries in a kiln at a certain temperature for a specific time. At ProCut Firewood, we kiln-dry our wood 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 below 20%. This means you’ll be able to light fires more easily, and they’ll produce a cleaner burn. If the moisture content is too high, seasoned firewood might take forever to burn. 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 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 Wood?
As previously mentioned, we kiln-dry our firewood for 36 hours, which is above the USDA requirements. 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 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-free 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?
Kiln-Dried vs. Seasoned Firewood: Breaking It Down
Still not sure which option is the best? Below, we break down the benefits and downsides of kiln-dried and seasoned firewood so you can compare them side-by-side. Then, we announce the winner in the best firewood debate.
Benefits of Seasoned Firewood
The benefits of seasoned firewood include:
- Easy to find a local supplier
- You can create seasoned firewood yourself
- It’s the cheaper option
Benefits of Kiln-Drying
The benefits of kiln-dried options include:
- Easier to light
- Burns longer and hotter
- Free of insects, mold and fungus
- Creates less smoke
- Less wood necessary for the same burning times
Downsides of Seasoned Firewood
The downsides of seasoned firewood include:
- Not guaranteed to get dry enough
- Will start to decompose
- Prone to bug infestations and mold growth
- Commonly affected by weather elements
- High smoke production
Downsides of Kiln-Drying
The downsides of kiln-dried options include:
- Costs more
- Might be more challenging to find for some people
- Can’t create at home without purchasing a special dry kiln
A Clear Winner
Although seasoned firewood is cheaper and likely easier to find, kiln-dried is a clear winner if you’re looking for long, hot, clean-burning fires. Kiln-dried options also provide healthier fires. Less smoke and zero mold or fungus means easier breathing while burning wood.
Plus, it’s essential to know that kiln-dried may be more expensive, but you also get a higher return on investment. Since these woods are dryer and denser than seasoned firewood, they’ll burn longer and hotter, so you’ll require less wood for the same burning time.
Another reason this wood is a clear winner is enjoyment and decreased stress. Trying to light wood that isn’t dry or dense enough can be frustrating, quickly ruining your fire enjoyment. Thankfully, that isn’t a problem with kiln-dried options so that you can enjoy your experience.
Order Premium Kiln-Dried Firewood Today!
Here at ProCut Firewood, we’re dedicated to getting our customers the best firewood out there. That’s why we sell kiln-dried firewood certified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Plus, we offer convenient delivery services to people throughout the Twin Cities area! Call us today at (507) 280-7780 or complete the form below to get started. We look forward to serving you!
