Glossary of Terms – Logs & Firewood Terminology

In any industry, jargon and phrases emerge, this is no different in the logs and firewood industry. Read our logs glossary of terms guide to learn about logs terminology and firewood terminology and hopefully we will demystify any confusing terms! Cozilogs summarise keywords and phrases in A-Z alphabetical order below.

Briquettes

Wooden briquettes are made using compressed wood. They burn very well, and their compression means they are stable as they burn.

BSL certification

This is the Biomass suppliers list. Accreditation arises where a recognised fuel (logs; wood briquettes, woodchip; wood pellets, etc.,) complies with the RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive) sustainability and fuel quality criteria for wood fuel.

Firelighters

Firelighters are used to help start a fire. These typically contain natural wood shavings and refined paraffin wax. View our range here.

Firewood

Firewood is wood that has been cut into conveniently sized pieces to be burned in fire pits, log boilers, wood burners and other burning equipment.

FSC certification

The certification scheme from the FSC (Forestry Services Commission) covers over 200 million hectares of forest. The scheme enables buyers of wood, paper and other products originating from wood to support responsible forestry practices.

Hardwoods

Due to their characteristics, hardwoods (when kiln dried) provide long burning times, which make them better value for money than softwoods. Here at Cozilogs, we supply a range of hardwood logs and firewood including alder, ash, beech, birch, and oak. As hardwoods have different burning qualities, we also provide mixed bags and crates of hardwoods.

Kiln dried

“Kiln dried” is the name given to kiln drying, which is a process of drying wood artificially in a kiln. When felled wood is too damp/moist to burn effectively. Kiln drying is a highly effective method of rapidly drying out logs. Both kiln dried logs and kiln dried firewood are available.

Kindling

Kindling is easily combustible material (usually small dry sticks) that is used to quickly start a fire. View our kiln dried kindling here.

Log bags

Barrow bags and bulk bags are popular methods of packing logs ready for distribution to customers. View Cozilogs kiln dried logs bags, which provide up to 415 kgs of logs.

Log crates

Kiln dried logs crates are a very convenient way of packing logs before distribution. Allowing for larger sizes, our giant crates are available in sizes up to 690 kgs of logs.

Logs

Logs are made from the wood of trees which have been felled. The wood is cut into log shapes for easy storage and typically to be used as a firewood fuel source. Cozilogs supply logs of approximately 25cm (10 inches) long, which is typical for the industry. This size makes them ideal for storage and also slipping into a log boiler, open fires, and wood burners.

Long burn (or slow burning)

This simply means wood that burns for a long time. These will be hardwoods, which are perfect for burning. Typically, the longer some wood burns the better its value for money will be.

Mixed logs

Most suppliers in the logs and firewood industry provide hardwoods for their slow burning qualities. It is commonplace for suppliers in logs terminology to provide “mixed logs” rather than just ash, beech, and oak on their own, for example. This is because hardwoods have different burning qualities, and it makes sense to have a variety of logs available.

Moisture content

Naturally wood has a high amount of moisture content (water, sap, etc.,) when felled. Before wood is used as firewood it needs to be seasoned. This can either be through natural drying (which takes up to 18 months) or kiln drying (typically six to eight weeks).

Cozilogs guarantee that our logs and firewood have a maximum of 20% moisture content. Moisture on the outside of the wood is likely to be nearer 10%.

As a general principle, the lower the amount of moisture content, the better that the firewood will burn.

Ready to burn

“Ready to Burn” is a recently launched trademark phrase accompanied by a logo. The “Ready to Burn” mark helps consumers to easily identify solid fuels (such as logs) that are legal to burn at home in compliance with the Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations 2020.

Highlights of the regulations are that it applies to all solid fuels sold in volumes of under 2m3. All such fuel must have a moisture content of 20% or less and contain less than 2% sulphur content.

Seasoned wood

“Seasoned wood” is wood that has been dried (either naturally or in a kiln) to remove as much moisture content (water and sap) as possible. This is to achieve both efficient burning and the maximum 20% moisture content needed in UK law. All logs, firewood, and other wooden products sold by Cozilogs are seasoned wood.

Unseasoned wood

Unseasoned wood is wood that contains a high percentage concentration of water. When a tree is felled, it contains high levels of water and sap and is described as “unseasoned wood”. Moisture levels could be as high as 30%+. The move towards “seasoned wood” requires either natural or kiln drying, in a process which is called seasoning.

Contacting Cozilogs

We hope you have enjoyed this logs glossary of terms and that it has enriched your knowledge and understanding. If you know of additional terms you would like added or have any queries, please contact us at Cozilogs. Contact us in any of the following ways:

• Contact Us - https://www.cozilogs.co.uk/contact/
• Email –sales@cozilogs.co.uk and
• Telephone - (01905) 954 736

 

 

Image Credit: Ready to Burn